Buying a gold charm sounds simple until you’re choosing between bracelet vs necklace wear, different attachment styles, sizes, weights, and whether engraving is actually practical on the piece you like. This guide is designed to help you choose with confidence, without buying the “wrong” charm for the job.
Quick takeaway: Start by deciding how you’ll wear it (bracelet or necklace), then check attachment style (jump ring vs bail vs clip-on), then think about size/weight and engraving.
What is a 9ct Gold Charm?
A 9ct gold charm is a small piece of jewellery designed to be worn on a charm bracelet or on a necklace/chain. “9ct” (9 carat) refers to the gold purity, and is a common standard for durable, everyday-wear gold jewellery in the UK.
If you’re buying in the UK, hallmarking matters. Hallmarks help confirm the metal and are an important trust signal when you’re buying gold jewellery online. If you want a refresher, read our hallmarking guide. Around half of our 9ct Gold charms are hallmarked - this is purely due to their weight: If they are over 1g then they legally must be hallmarked. Other charms under this weight are not hallmarked, though you may see a '375' stamp on some of them, which confirms the metal purity
Step 1: Decide How You’ll Wear It
Charms for Bracelets
Bracelet charms are the most common use case. The main thing is ensuring the charm’s attachment works with the bracelet you already own (or plan to buy).
Bracelet-first rule: If you’re buying for a charm bracelet, prioritise attachment style and clearance first. Size and engraving come after.
Charms for Necklaces
Many charms can also be worn on a necklace or chain. The key difference is comfort and balance: a charm that feels fine on a bracelet can feel too bulky or too “hangy” on a chain, depending on size and weight. We recommend bail charm attachments for necklaces, as they tend to sit more naturally.
If you’re buying specifically to wear on a chain, it’s worth browsing our necklace and pendant options too: lockets and pendants.
Step 2: Understand Charm Attachment Types
Not all gold charms attach in the same way, and choosing the wrong attachment type is one of the most common reasons customers struggle with compatibility. At Sayers London, our 9ct gold charms are available with three main attachment styles: jump rings, clip-on attachments, and bails.
Why this matters: The attachment determines whether a charm works best on a bracelet, a necklace, or both — and how easy it is to add or move later.
Jump Ring Charms
Jump ring charms are the most traditional option. They feature a small gold ring at the top of the charm, designed to slide directly onto a bracelet or chain. This style is ideal for permanent or semi-permanent setups, especially when building a classic charm bracelet.
We offer jump ring charms in two styles - open and soldered. Open Jump Rings are designed to be carefully opened using jewelling pliars and closed once on the bracelet. Soldered jump rings are designed to be soldered closed for a more permanent, but secure attachement. Check the 'Specification' on the product page of any charm to view which type of attachement it has.
Clip-On Charms
Clip-on charms use a hinged clasp that opens and closes, allowing the charm to be attached without removing bracelet clasps or threading it on from the end. This makes them a popular choice for gifting, for adding charms to an existing bracelet, or for repositioning charms easily.
Clip-on charms are ideal if: you’re not sure what bracelet the charm will be worn on, you want flexibility, or you plan to rearrange charms over time.
Bail Charms
Bail charms feature a fixed loop (the bail) at the top of the charm, designed primarily for wearing on a necklace or chain. The larger opening allows the charm to sit neatly and centrally on a chain, making this attachment style especially popular for pendant-style wear.
While bail charms can sometimes be added to bracelets, they are generally best suited to necklaces.
Necklace-first rule: If the charm is mainly intended for a chain, a bail attachment usually offers the best balance and appearance.
Step 3: Pick a Size and Weight That Suits the Job
Size affects both look and practicality. Smaller charms suit subtle, everyday wear and short engravings. Larger charms make more visual impact and can make engraving easier, but can feel heavier on a fine chain or crowded on a bracelet with many pieces.
Practical tip: If it’s a first charm, go slightly more “everyday” than “statement”. Statement charms work best once there’s already a base collection to balance them.
Step 4: If You Want Engraving, Choose a Charm That’s Actually Engravable
Not every charm engraves well. Some designs have limited flat space, textured surfaces, or shapes that make engraving small and less legible. If engraving matters, prioritise a charm with a clean surface area and enough room for the message you want.
As a rule of thumb, the best engravings tend to be concise: initials, dates, and short messages that will remain readable for years.
Engraving reality check: The shorter the message, the better it usually looks. If you’re forcing a long phrase onto a tiny surface, the result often disappoints.
Step 5: Choose a Style That Matches the Meaning
Once the practical constraints are handled, style becomes the fun part. Most people gravitate towards a handful of themes, especially when gifting:
- Initials / letters: personal and timeless
- Animals: meaningful without being too literal
- Symbols: luck, love, faith, travel, milestones
- Occasion pieces: birthdays, new baby, anniversaries
Gift tip: If you’re not sure what they’d choose, a letter/initial or a simple symbolic charm is usually safer than something highly specific.
Browse 9ct Gold Charms
If you’ve decided how you’ll wear it (bracelet or necklace), the attachment style you want (standard ring or clip-on), and whether you want engraving, you’re ready to choose the charm itself.
Browse our full range of 9ct gold charms to explore styles including bracelet charms, clip-on options, and engravable designs.
Related Categories
If you’re shopping for an engraved gift and still deciding on the “type” of item, these are consistently popular alternatives:
- Men’s cufflinks (classic engraved gift for weddings and milestones)
- Hip flasks (ideal for longer messages and presentation gifts)
- Lockets and pendants (sentimental pieces designed to be kept close)