Y2K Phone Charms

The Y2K look and why charms are back

Charms on phones began in Japan, where phones were made with a small hole for a strap. Smartphones mostly have no such hole. Then, from 2021, fashion magazines and websites reported that phone charms had come back as part of the return of early-2000s style, often called Y2K: bright colours, beads, butterflies, glitter and playful shapes. One reason they gave was lockdown, when the phone was most people's link to the outside world and they wanted it to look like theirs. These charms are made in that look. They suit anyone who likes fun, colour and a phone that stands out on the table.

What is here

• Butterfly chains. A butterfly in metal and plastic on a short phone chain, in a choice of colours. See butterfly phone charms for more butterflies.
• Crystal butterfly bead straps. A beaded alloy chain with a sparkling butterfly, roughly hand-length, that works as a short wrist or bag strap as well as a charm. There is a wide choice of colourways.
• Resin strawberries. A small, glossy strawberry pendant, with fittings in pink, red or a mixed set. See fruit and food charms for more.
• Mini bottles. A handmade novelty charm shaped like a tiny drinks bottle, in six colours: a quirky one for someone who likes something different.

Building a Y2K phone

The look is about mixing, so do not be afraid of more than one colour. A few ideas that work:

• a clear or glitter case with a bright beaded charm, so both show; the Y2K cases are made for this;
• a butterfly and a strawberry on one ring, in colours that share a shade of pink;
• a short charm on the phone and a longer beaded strap from beaded phone charms for the wrist.

Keep the total weight modest. Several metal and crystal pieces together swing hard and can tap the camera lenses, so the heaviest pieces are best on the strap rather than right at the phone.

Questions people ask about Y2K phone charms

My phone has no strap hole. How does a charm go on?

A lanyard patch sits between the phone and its case, its loop out through the charging-port opening. Some cases have a strap hole: see cases with lanyard holes. The guide to phone charms and straps shows every way.

Can I wear a Y2K charm on a bag instead?

Yes. Every charm here hangs from a bag, a backpack or keys as easily as a phone, and many people swap them between all three.

Are these charms safe for young children?

Phone charms are not toys. The NHS warns that babies and toddlers put small objects in their mouths and can choke on them, and beads, bells, rings and stones are small parts. Keep charms out of their reach, and never put a strap or cord round a small child's neck.

How long does delivery take?

Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when that charm usually arrives.

More to look at

• Butterfly phone charms
• Beaded phone charms
• Cute phone charms
• Y2K cases
• Y2K style
• Crystal and rhinestone charms
• Guide: How to make your own phone charm