Every charm tells a little story. Brighton built a whole company on that idea.
If you've ever seen a silver charm bracelet with a heart-shaped clasp and a tiny "B" tucked onto a charm, there's a good chance it's Brighton. The brand is a favorite with charm collectors because the pieces are detailed, well made and endlessly mix-and-match. Here's how to recognize real Brighton and what to look for when you find it secondhand.
Our Brighton travel charm bracelet, with a spinning globe, compass and sea turtle, is in the shop now for $58, and it's the only one we have.
See the bracelet →
A little Brighton history
Brighton began in the early 1990s in Southern California, first with leather belts and handbags, and grew into jewelry, charms, watches and accessories sold through gift shops and its own stores. Charms became one of its signature lines, with designs for travel, hobbies, holidays, pets, states and milestones, so a single bracelet can tell a whole life story.
How to spot real Brighton
- The "B" mark: look for a small stamped or raised "B" on a charm, a bead, a tag near the clasp or the back of a pendant. On our travel bracelet, it's on the base of the globe's stand.
- Heart hardware: heart-shaped lobster clasps, heart tags and little heart details show up all over Brighton jewelry. They're one of the easiest clues to spot from across a table.
- Texture and two-tone: Brighton loves rope-twist, braided and scrolled textures, and often mixes silver tone with gold-tone accents and enamel.
- Crisp details: real Brighton charms are well finished, with neat enamel, crystals set evenly and moving parts that actually move, like a globe that spins.
- Weight and feel: the pieces feel solid in the hand rather than thin or tinny.
Look-alike charms are everywhere, so one heart clasp alone doesn't prove it's Brighton. Look for the B and the overall quality together.
What Brighton is made of
Most Brighton jewelry is silver-plated or gold-plated metal, not sterling silver, often with enamel, crystals or leather. That keeps it affordable, but it also means the plating can wear on high points over time. Many collectors like the darkened recesses that build up in the textures, since they make the detail pop.
Retired charms
Brighton retires designs regularly, and collectors hunt for retired charms, especially travel, state, holiday and hobby themes, to finish a bracelet or replace a lost favorite. A secondhand bracelet that already comes loaded with charms is often a much better value than buying each one new.
See it in person: Brighton in the shop
Each one is a single piece, so when it's gone, it's gone.
Caring for Brighton jewelry
- Wipe with a soft, dry cloth after wearing. Skip harsh polishes and dips, which can strip plating.
- Keep it away from water, lotion, perfume and pool or hot tub chemicals.
- Store each piece in a soft pouch so crystals and enamel don't get scratched.
More tips in our guide to caring for vintage finds.
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Keep reading: Signed vs. Unsigned · Real or Faux Pearls? · How to Date Vintage Costume Jewelry
What charm would you put on a bracelet to tell your story? A place you've been, a pet, a hobby? Tell us!