Crystal and pearl bag charms from Coach, Nina, Karl Lagerfeld Paris, Rebecca Minkoff and Éliou, from $15 to $200. Where the sparkle is worth the money.
Crystal and Pearl Bag Charms: Sparkle for a Plain Handbag
Crystal and pearl bag charms, and when to wear them
A crystal charm is the cheapest way to make a plain handbag look dressed up. The ones here start at $15 for Nina's Crystal Embellished Star, and the C-Love Pompom & Crystal Heart is $18. Chelsea28's Heart Cluster is $35 and sets a crystal heart beside a gold one. At the other end of the first row is a $5.99 Rhinestone Pearl Bow, which is the price of a coffee and looks better than that. If you have a black bag and nothing on it, this row is the place to start.
Charms with a bow, an orchid or a heart
Crystal looks more expensive when it is attached to a shape you recognize. Coach's Heart Bag Charm at $95 pairs a white bow with a blue enamel heart, and the DIY Crystal Bow at $35 is a smaller, cleaner version of the same idea. Karl Lagerfeld Paris sells a Crystal & Logo Orchid Keychain Bag Charm for $35, and Marie Crystal Pavé Bag Charm from Disney is $51.44. Pick one that matches the bag's hardware, gold with gold and silver with silver.
Pearls, shells and beads
Pearls are softer than crystals and sit better on a leather or woven bag. Rebecca Minkoff's Evil Eye Faux Pearl Swag Bag Charm is $58 and drapes between two clasps. MacRae & Co.'s Seashells on the Seashore Bag Charm is $48 and mixes a pearl, shells and a heart. Éliou's Tarsila Beaded Bag Charm is $200 and is the one with the most going on. Peanuts' Snoopy Crystal Cluster Pavé Bag Charm is $42.86 for anyone who wants the cartoon version. All four work on an ordinary tote.
What I would buy
I would buy the $15 Nina star first. If you like the look, move up to the Coach pearl heart, and keep the Éliou charm for the bag you carry most.
