Charm Jewelry FAQ | Your Questions Answered | Pretty Pickie
Charm Jewelry FAQ
Find answers to all your questions about Pretty Pickie's charm jewelry, customization process, and our unique Charm Bar experience.
About the Charm Bar Experience
The Pretty Pickie Charm Bar is a unique jewelry customization experience where you can create personalized charm bracelets or necklaces that tell your story. We offer over 350 different charms and premium chains, allowing you to design a piece that's truly one-of-a-kind. Our charm stylists guide you through the process, helping you select charms that represent your personality, interests, or special moments.
Our standard Charm Bar Experience costs $45 (plus tax) and includes:
- A premium stainless steel chain of your choice
- 6 charms from our curated collection
- Access to our special collection of complimentary charms
- Expert styling assistance
- Take-home packaging
Additional charms are available starting from $3.50 each, allowing you to further customize your piece.
Walk-ins are always welcome at our River Park Shopping Center location! However, if you'd like to guarantee a specific time slot, especially during busy periods, we recommend booking an appointment through our website. A $20 booking deposit is required to secure your spot, which will be applied toward your purchase when you visit.
We're open daily from 11am to 7pm, making it convenient to stop by whenever inspiration strikes!
The typical in-store Charm Bar experience takes approximately 30-45 minutes. This includes:
- 10-15 minutes to browse and select your charms
- 15-20 minutes for assembly and styling
- 5-10 minutes for finishing touches and care instructions
The process may take longer if you're creating multiple pieces or visiting with a group. We encourage you to take your time and enjoy the creative process!
Both experiences offer the same high-quality chains and access to our 350+ charm collection, but they differ in setting and pricing:
In-Store Charm Bar:
- Individual experience for $45 per person
- Walk-ins welcome or book ahead
- Located at our River Park store
- Complete the same day
Mobile Charm Bar:
- Group experience that comes to your location
- $360 base package for 8 guests ($40 each additional)
- Perfect for parties and special events
- Full setup brought to your space
- Exclusive host benefits
- 2-hour custom experience
About Our Charms & Materials
We offer an extensive collection of over 350 charms across diverse categories, including:
Star signs, moons, stars, and cosmic symbols
Personalize with initials and significant dates
Flowers, butterflies, pets, and wildlife
Makeup, shoes, clothing, and accessories
We also offer travel charms, sports symbols, birthstones, crystals, faith symbols, food icons, and many more! Our collection is regularly updated with seasonal and limited-edition designs.
We use high-quality materials that are both beautiful and durable:
- Chains: Premium stainless steel, gold-filled, or sterling silver options
- Charms: 18k gold plated or stainless steel with tarnish-resistant finishes
- Crystals & Stones: Genuine crystals and glass elements in select charms
All our materials are lead-free and nickel-free, making them suitable for sensitive skin. Our gold plating uses a thicker layer than standard costume jewelry for improved durability.
Our charm jewelry is designed for everyday wear with proper care. The stainless steel chains are highly resistant to tarnishing and breaking. The gold-plated components will maintain their luster if kept away from water, perfumes, and lotions.
The jump rings used to attach charms are securely closed during assembly to prevent loss. However, we recommend checking connections periodically, especially for frequently worn pieces.
With proper care, your charm jewelry can last for years while maintaining its beauty.
Our stainless steel charms are water-resistant and can handle brief exposure to water. However, for gold-plated charms, we recommend:
- Removing jewelry before showering, swimming, or exercising
- Keeping away from perfumes, lotions, and chemicals
- Avoiding hot tubs, pools, and salt water
Water exposure, particularly chlorinated or salt water, can accelerate tarnishing and potentially damage the finish on your charms. For maximum longevity, we recommend removing your charm jewelry during water activities.
Absolutely! One of the best features of charm jewelry is its adaptability. You can:
- Add new charms to your existing piece anytime
- Swap out charms for different occasions
- Rearrange your charms whenever you wish
- Transfer charms between different chains
Visit our Charm Bar anytime to add new charms, or use our DIY Assembly Guide to make changes at home. We also sell jump rings separately if you need extras for your modifications.
Jump rings are small metal circles used to attach charms to your chain or bracelet. They have a small opening that allows them to be opened with jewelry pliers, passed through both the charm and chain link, and then closed securely.
At Pretty Pickie, we use premium quality jump rings that are properly sized for each charm to ensure security and an attractive appearance. Our stylists carefully close each jump ring to prevent charm loss.
If you're interested in learning how to work with jump rings at home, check out our DIY Assembly Guide for detailed instructions!
Care & Maintenance
To keep your charm jewelry looking beautiful for years to come, we recommend the following care routine:
Do | Don't |
---|---|
Store in a jewelry box or pouch when not wearing | Expose to water, especially pools, hot tubs, or salt water |
Put jewelry on after applying lotions, perfumes, or hairspray | Wear during exercise or activities that cause excessive sweating |
Clean gently with a soft jewelry cloth | Use chemical jewelry cleaners or abrasive materials |
Check jump rings periodically for security | Pull or tug forcefully on charms |
Remove before sleeping | Stack with heavier jewelry that might cause tangling |
With proper care, your charm jewelry will maintain its beauty and sentimental value for years to come.
While our stylists carefully secure each charm, occasional mishaps can happen. If a charm becomes detached:
- Bring your piece back to our store, and we'll reattach the charm free of charge
- If you have the tools at home, follow our DIY Assembly Guide to reattach it yourself
- If the charm is lost, you can purchase a replacement (prices start at $3.50)
We recommend checking your jump rings periodically, especially if you wear your charm jewelry frequently. A simple visual inspection can help prevent charm loss.
Yes, gentle cleaning is recommended to maintain the beauty of your charm jewelry:
- Use a soft, dry jewelry cloth to gently polish the chains and charms
- For stainless steel pieces, you can use a slightly damp cloth if needed
- For stubborn tarnish, a tiny amount of mild soap in water can be used (only for stainless steel items)
- Pat dry immediately and thoroughly with a soft cloth
- Allow to air dry completely before storing
Avoid using harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners, or jewelry dips, as these can damage the finish on your charms. For gold-plated items, dry cleaning with a polishing cloth is the safest method.
Gold-plated items can eventually show signs of wear and tarnishing, though our 18k gold plating is more durable than standard costume jewelry. The timeline depends on several factors:
- Frequency of wear (daily vs. occasional)
- Exposure to moisture, chemicals, and lotions
- Body chemistry (some people's skin oils may accelerate tarnishing)
- Storage conditions
With proper care, gold-plated charms can maintain their luster for many months to years. If tarnishing does occur, gentle polishing with a jewelry cloth can often restore the shine.
Mobile Charm Bar Service
Our Mobile Charm Bar brings the entire charm jewelry experience to your location! Here's how it works:
- Booking: Secure your date with a $100 deposit
- Planning: We'll discuss space requirements and guest count
- Setup: We arrive 30 minutes before your event to create a beautiful display
- Experience: Each guest selects their chain and charms with expert guidance
- Creation: Our stylists assemble each piece on-site
- Completion: Guests leave with their finished jewelry and care instructions
The standard experience lasts 2 hours, though additional time can be arranged. We bring everything needed, including display cases, tools, and our full charm collection!
Our comprehensive Mobile Charm Bar package ($360 base price for 8 guests) includes:
- Complete mobile setup and professional display
- Professional charm stylists
- Premium stainless steel chain for each guest
- 6 charms per person from our 350+ collection
- Access to complimentary charm collection
- Assembly tools and supplies
- Jewelry packaging
- Setup and cleanup
- Interactive charm guide books
- 2-hour event duration
- Special host-exclusive charm
Additional guests can be accommodated at $40 per person. We also offer travel within 15 miles of our location at no extra charge (additional mileage fees apply beyond this radius).
To set up our Mobile Charm Bar comfortably, we need:
- A well-lit space, approximately 8'x10' minimum
- 1-2 sturdy tables (we can bring tables if needed)
- Access to the space 30 minutes before the event for setup
- Ideally, access to electrical outlets
- Enough room for guests to move around comfortably
We're adaptable and can work with various spaces including living rooms, patios, conference rooms, and event venues. During our pre-event consultation, we'll discuss your specific space to ensure an optimal setup.
We recommend booking at least 1-2 weeks in advance to secure your preferred date and time. Popular dates (especially weekends and holiday seasons) often book up quickly.
For special occasions like bridal showers or corporate events, booking 3-4 weeks ahead is ideal to ensure availability and allow time for proper planning.
A $100 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your booking, with the remaining balance due 7 days before your event.
Our Mobile Charm Bar creates memorable experiences for a wide range of events:
- Bridal Showers: Create matching bridesmaid gifts or keepsakes
- Birthday Celebrations: Unique activity for milestone birthdays
- Corporate Events: Creative team-building or client appreciation
- Girls' Night In: Elevate your gathering with a creative activity
- School Events: Fundraisers or graduation celebrations
- Holiday Parties: Seasonal charm-making with festive designs
- Fundraisers: Unique experience that supports your cause
Any event where you want to provide a creative, interactive experience that results in a meaningful keepsake is perfect for our Mobile Charm Bar!
DIY & Customization
Absolutely! While many customers enjoy the guided experience at our Charm Bar, you can also purchase supplies to create or expand charm jewelry at home:
- Shop our online charm collection for individual charms
- Purchase chains in various styles and lengths
- Add jump rings and basic jewelry tools
- Follow our comprehensive DIY Assembly Guide
DIY assembly is perfect for adding new charms to existing pieces or creating completely new designs at your convenience.
To work with charm jewelry at home, you'll need a few basic tools:
- Two pairs of jewelry pliers (chain nose or flat nose pliers work best)
- Jump rings (small metal circles that connect charms to chains)
- Good lighting to see the small components clearly
- Optional: Bead mat or soft cloth to prevent charms from rolling away
These basic tools make it easy to add, remove, or rearrange charms on your jewelry. If you're interested in more advanced customization, we offer jewelry tool kits in our store.
Yes! Mixing and matching is encouraged and one of the joys of charm jewelry. You can combine:
- Different metal finishes (gold and silver tones)
- Various charm themes (zodiac with initials, nature with birthstones, etc.)
- Charms from different collections on the same piece
- Transfer charms between different chains and styles
Our charm stylists can provide suggestions for beautiful combinations, or you can follow your own creative instincts to create a truly unique piece that reflects your personal style.
While we don't create fully custom charms from scratch, we do offer several personalization options:
- Initial charms: A-Z letters available
- Number charms: 0-9 digits for important dates
- Birthstone charms: Representing all birth months
- Zodiac signs: All astrological symbols
For special events or bulk orders, we may be able to source specific charm designs with sufficient advance notice. Please contact us directly to discuss your personalization needs!
Ready to Create Your Charm Story?
Visit our Charm Bar in-store or book a mobile experience for your next event!
Book Your Charm Bar ExperiencePurchasing & Policies
Yes, you can purchase individual charms, chains, and supplies through our website or in-store without participating in the full Charm Bar experience. This is perfect for:
- Adding to your existing charm collection
- Replacing a lost charm
- Creating DIY projects at home
- Sending charm gifts to friends and family
Browse our online charm collection to shop individual items, or visit our store to see the full selection in person.
Due to the personalized nature of charm jewelry, assembled pieces from the Charm Bar experience (in-store or mobile) are not eligible for return or exchange. However:
- Unused, unopened individual charms or chains purchased online may be returned within 14 days
- Defective items may be exchanged within 30 days of purchase
- Booking deposits for the Mobile Charm Bar are non-refundable but may be rescheduled with 7+ days notice
- In-store Charm Bar booking deposits can be applied to future visits if rescheduled 24+ hours in advance
For specific return inquiries, please contact us at hello@prettypickie.com or text us at 559-825-7259 with your order details.
Yes! Charm Bar gift cards make perfect presents for birthdays, holidays, or any special occasion. Our gift cards:
- Can be purchased in any amount (minimum $20)
- Are available both in-store and online
- Can be used for the Charm Bar Experience or individual purchases
- Never expire
- Can be delivered digitally via email or as a physical card
Gift cards are especially popular for tweens, teens, and anyone who loves creating personalized jewelry. The recipient gets to enjoy both the creative experience and a beautiful keepsake!
Absolutely! We welcome small groups (2-6 people) at our in-store Charm Bar. For the best experience:
- Book appointments in advance to ensure we have enough space and stylists
- Consider visiting during weekday afternoons for a more relaxed experience
- For groups of 7+ people, we recommend our Mobile Charm Bar service
Groups of friends, family outings, or small celebrations are perfect for our in-store Charm Bar. Each person creates their own unique piece while enjoying the shared creative experience!
Currently, we ship individual charms and chains to customers within the United States. Our Mobile Charm Bar service is available throughout the Central Valley region.
If you're interested in international shipping for a specific charm or collection, please contact us directly at hello@prettypickie.com to discuss available options and shipping costs.
Still Have Questions?
We're here to help! Reach out to our charm specialists:
- Visit Us: River Park Shopping Center (next to Me-n-Ed's Pizza)
- Hours: Open daily 11am-7pm
- Text: 559-825-7259
- Email: hello@prettypickie.com
Follow us on social media for the latest charm releases, styling inspiration, and special events!