Slide Bracelets - Victorian inspired contemporary elegance, the perfect heirloom.
During the Victorian Era... Smaller
watches and wrist watches were beginning to be produced and the heavy
hunting case watches started to become more of an ornamental item.
Women began wearing these hunting case watches as necklaces. A unique
item, the Watch Slide,was born.
The Watch Slide was used to shorten or lengthen the necklace by sliding
up or down. Watch Slides were jeweled, engraved and ornate pieces of
jewelry fashioned from designs of old watch fobs.
After the Victorian Era... in the 1930s, women soon began to collect these Watch Slides from family heirlooms and estate sales. The Watch Slides were fashioned into bracelets using two gold chains and a clasp, adding Watch Slides until the bracelet was filled and complete. They were called the "The Watch Slide Bracelet", unique they were, a one-of-a-kind piece; each slide was a different shape and was set with different popular and precious gems. Most of the slides were hand made and one of a kind with gems popular at the time.
Late in the 20th Century... slides became very popular and still are, there are many, even thousands of stlyes and sizes to choose from. Create your own look, pick from enourmous collections of quality slides, clasps and chain styles. Pick your own gems, popular or precious. Create your own Slide Necklace from the same styles. Matching rings, earrings and necklaces are perfect accents!
Many slide styles are available, especially the new Cable Slide Bracelet, enables you to add, move and remove slides easier yourself. The best chains to use are the Wheat Slide Chain, it has all soldered links that have a much higher durability than Rope style bracelets. We suggest solid backed bracelet slides that are more comfortable and heavier and normally better quality. 14K yellow gold is the most popular precious metal to use and many slides are available in 14K white gold and 18K gold.
All gems are used in slides with the most popular Amethyst, Blue Topaz, Pearl, Cameo and of course Diamonds. The selection of each bracelet slide can be birthstones of each child or grandchild, favorite gems or a mixture of gems. The sizes of bracelet slides can be mixed large and small together and spaced apart using gold beads or spacers which are narrower versions of slides.
Old or seldom used jewelry pieces can be made into slides also. It is fun to add a memorable pendant, ring or earring to a slide. Initials, organization logos or symbols, religious symbols, pet or animal charms and anything of interest can be made into a slide for your slide bracelet. Use your imagination and create an heirloom slide bracelet that will be treasured for generations to come.
