OD's Jewellers Brand Guide: Nomination

1. Brand Overview / Why Nomination Matters

Nomination pioneered the modular charm bracelet in Florence in the 1980s, revolutionising how we wear personal stories. The Composable® system transformed jewellery from passive adornment into an interactive canvas—where every link tells a chapter of your life, every symbol captures a milestone, and every bracelet becomes a wearable autobiography.

Founded by Paolo Gensini in 1983, Nomination created what would become known worldwide as the "Italian charm bracelet"—a concept so innovative it sparked a global collecting phenomenon in the 1990s and early 2000s, and is experiencing a powerful resurgence today among Gen-Z and millennials.

At OD's Jewellers, we're an authorised UK stockist offering the complete Nomination experience: in-store link selection from our extensive collection, professional sizing, engraving services, and expert aftercare.

Perfect for:

• Collectors building personal storytelling bracelets (2,500+ link designs available)
• Gift-givers wanting presents that grow with every milestone
• Those drawn to modular, customisable jewellery (TikTok/Gen-Z resurgence)
• Customers seeking Made-in-Florence Italian craftsmanship with accessible luxury
• Anyone wanting jewellery that evolves with their life journey

What makes Nomination different:

• Paolo Gensini 1983 founding (originally G4): Ice cream maker turned goldsmith revolutionising personal jewellery
• 1987 Composable® launch: Patented spring mechanism enabling tool-free link swapping
• Latin "nominatio" ("to name"): Brand name reflects original gold letter personalisation
• 2023 Love Island UK Season 9: Anna-May Robey revival sparking Gen-Z collecting craze
• €60+ million 2024 turnover (30% growth): July 2025 Dundee concept store opening confirms UK expansion

2. The Nomination Story (History & Heritage)

The Beginning: Florence, 1983

The Nomination story begins in 1983 in Sesto Fiorentino, near Florence, Italy—a city with centuries-old goldsmith traditions. Paolo Gensini, who had extensive experience as a goldsmith and metalworker (and previously worked as an ice cream maker in his youth), founded a company originally named G4 with a revolutionary vision.

Inspired by the customisable nature of ice cream flavours—where everyone can choose something unique—Paolo wanted to create innovative modular jewellery accessible to men, women, and children of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. His goal was to democratise personal jewellery, making meaningful customisation available to everyone, not just the wealthy.

The Composable® Revolution: 1987

In 1987, Paolo Gensini designed and launched the Composable® bracelet—a modular system of stainless steel links adorned with 18k gold letters, connected by an ingenious patented spring mechanism. For the first time, people could literally spell out their names on their wrists, creating bracelets that were uniquely, unmistakably theirs.

The collection was christened "Nomination" from the Latin word "nominatio" meaning "to name"—perfectly capturing the essence of personalisation through letters and symbols.

Evolution & Global Success

Late 1980s–1990s: New symbols, materials, and themes were added beyond gold letters—enamel, precious stones, sterling silver, and thousands of motifs representing hobbies, milestones, love, travel, and luck. The Composable® bracelet became a true good-luck charm and a powerful new language for self-expression.

1990s Success: The bracelet achieved huge success first in Italy, then swept through Northern Europe in the early 2000s, followed by the United States. American tourists discovered the style in Italy and brought it home, where "Italian charm bracelets" became a cultural phenomenon.

1996: First monobrand store opened in Milan

2000s: International expansion accelerated; the brand became synonymous with the Italian charm bracelet format

2008: Launch of Silvershine Composable Collection, expanding accessibility

2019: "One for You, One for Me" campaign launched, emphasising connection and sharing—mirroring the interlocking links of Nomination bracelets. By this time, the catalogue featured nearly 2,500 different links.

2023: First flagship store opened in Cape Town, South Africa at V&A Waterfront

The 2023–2024 Resurgence

After years as a beloved nostalgic accessory, Italian charm bracelets experienced a major revival in 2023–2024:

• Love Island UK Season 9 (2023): Contestant Anna-May Robey prominently wore stacked Nomination bracelets, sparking renewed interest
• TikTok Trending: Italian charm bracelets became a viral trend, with Gen-Z "unboxing" videos and styling content
• Vogue Coverage (August 2024): Fashion press confirmed the comeback, with Vogue noting "Italian charm bracelets – customisable square charms connected by links – have proven particularly popular" and searches up 150% according to Lyst
• Celebrity Revival: Modern influencers and fashion-forward consumers rediscovered the joy of personalised, collectible jewellery

Today's Nomination

Nomination in 2025:

• 40+ countries with over 5,000 independent retailers and 80+ monobrand stores worldwide
• €60+ million turnover in 2024 (up 30% year-on-year)
• Approaching 40th anniversary in 2027 (company founded 1983, Composable® launched 1987)
• Aggressive UK expansion with new standalone stores planned
• July 2025: Concept store opened in Dundee's Overgate Shopping Centre
• Still family-run with Alessandro Gensini (Paolo's son) serving as Marketing and Communications Director

The brand continues to launch new link designs each season while maintaining the core Composable® philosophy: jewellery should tell your story, adapt to your life, and grow with you.

3. Craftsmanship & Innovation

Made in Italy: Florence Heritage

Composable® decorated links are hand-crafted in Florence, Italy—maintaining the city's centuries-old goldsmith traditions while incorporating modern production technologies. Every link undergoes meticulous quality control before reaching customers.

Materials & Construction

Stainless Steel Base:

• Lightweight, durable, and hypoallergenic foundation
• Corrosion-resistant for everyday wear
• Forms the structural integrity of every bracelet

Precious Metal Accents:

• 18k yellow gold — warm, classic luxury
• 18k rose gold — modern, romantic warmth
• 9k gold — accessible precious metal option
• Sterling silver (925) — bright, versatile elegance

Decorative Elements:

• Enamel — vibrant hand-painted colours and designs
• Cubic zirconia — sparkling brilliance
• Genuine gemstones — natural stones for birthstones and symbolism
• Diamonds — select premium designs
• Freshwater pearls — natural lustre and elegance

The Patented Spring Mechanism

Nomination's ingenious spring system is what makes the Composable® bracelet truly revolutionary:

• Tool-free adding/removing — flex the bracelet gently or use the optional Composable Key
• Secure connection — each link snaps firmly into place
• Completely modular — rearrange, swap, add, or remove links at any time
• Lies flat against the wrist — like a stretch band, comfortable for all-day wear
• Infinitely customisable — your bracelet evolves as your life evolves

Sizing & Specifications

Classic Composable Link Dimensions:

• Approximately 0.97 cm × 0.90 cm per standard link
• Double links available (twice the width) for names, phrases, and larger designs

Fit Heuristic (Retailer-Validated):

• Measure wrist circumference in cm
• Snug fit: wrist measurement + 2 links
• Comfortable fit: wrist measurement + 3 links
• Average women's bracelet: 18 links
• Children's bracelet: 13–15 links
• Easily adjustable by adding or removing links

4. Nomination in Culture & Events

The 1990s–2000s Phenomenon

Italian charm bracelets became a global cultural phenomenon in the late 1990s and early 2000s, particularly among teenagers and young adults. The ability to personalise jewellery with letters, hobbies, interests, and milestones resonated powerfully with a generation seeking individual expression.

Celebrity Wearers (Original Era):

• The Beckhams
• Jennifer Lopez
• Britney Spears

The 2023–2024 Revival

Love Island UK (2023): Anna-May Robey, Season 9 contestant, wore stacked Nomination bracelets prominently throughout the show, introducing the style to millions of UK viewers and sparking renewed interest.

TikTok Trend (2023–Present):

• "Italian charm bracelet" became a trending tag
• Gen-Z creators sharing "unboxing" videos
• Styling tutorials showing modern ways to wear nostalgic pieces
• "Charm bar" meetups as friend hangout activities

Vogue Feature (August 2024): Fashion press confirmed the comeback: "Gen-Zs are unboxing Pandora charm bracelets on TikTok, friends are visiting 'charm bars' as a hang-out activity... From nostalgic Italian charm bracelets to delicate metal trinkets, it feels like charms are everywhere right now."

According to Lyst shopping data, searches for charms increased 150% in six months, with Italian charm bracelets cited as "particularly popular."

UK Retail Momentum (2024–2025)

April 2025 FashionNetwork Report:

• €60+ million global turnover in 2024 (30% growth year-on-year)
• New UK standalone stores planned
• "All our product lines performed well, starting with the modular bracelets and the links, which are sparking a collecting craze in many markets" — Alessandro Gensini, Marketing & Communications Director

July 2025 Dundee Opening: Nomination opened a new concept store in Dundee's Overgate Shopping Centre, bringing the full Composable® experience to Scotland with in-store link selection and personalisation services.

Cultural Significance

Nomination bracelets represent:

• Democratised luxury — precious materials accessible to everyone
• Wearable storytelling — jewellery as autobiography
• Multigenerational appeal — passed down and added to over time
• Gift-giving innovation — easily expanded for birthdays, holidays, milestones
• Emotional connection — each charm carries meaning beyond its material value

5. Size Guides

Bracelets (Composable® Classic)

Fully Adjustable System: Nomination bracelets are sized by adding or removing links—making them infinitely adjustable and perfect for gifting.

Sizing Heuristic (Retailer-Validated):

Wrist Measurement	Snug Fit	Comfortable Fit
15 cm	17 links	18 links
16 cm	18 links	19 links
17 cm	19 links	20 links
18 cm	20 links	21 links
19 cm	21 links	22 links

General Guidelines:

• Average women's fit: 18 links
• Children: 13–15 links
• Men: 20–22 links (depending on wrist size)
• Formula: Wrist (cm) + 2 links (snug) or + 3 links (comfortable)

Necklaces

Women's Length Guide:

Length (cm)	Placement	Style
40–44	Collarbone	Choker, close-fitting
45–54	Mid-chest	Princess length (most versatile)
60–84	Below chest	Long, layering-friendly
85+	Waist-length	Extra-long, statement

Men's Length Guide:

• 48–52 cm — Standard men's necklace length

Rings

Men's Size Conversions (Quick Reference):

Diameter (cm)	Circumference (cm)	Nomination	UK	EU/FR	US
1.60	5.02	10	K	50	5
1.72	5.40	14	O	54	7
1.88	5.90	19	R	59	9
2.06	6.47	25	W	65	11

One-Size Adjustable Rings:

• Women: Fits UK sizes 11–15 (adjustable)
• Men: Fits UK sizes 18–23 (adjustable)

For comprehensive jewellery sizing guidance, see our Master Jewellery Size Guide.

6. Care & Warranty

Nomination-Specific Care

Patented Spring Mechanism – Flexible But Firm: Nomination's ingenious spring system allows tool-free link changes. Flex the bracelet gently or use the optional Composable Key tool to add/remove links. The spring snaps firmly into place, creating a secure connection that lies flat against the wrist.

2-Year Manufacturer Guarantee: All Nomination pieces include a 2-year guarantee from purchase date covering manufacturing defects only. Proof of purchase required for all claims.

For universal jewellery care principles, see our Jewellery Care Hub.

Warranty

2-Year Manufacturer Guarantee

Coverage period: 2 years from date of purchase

Covers:

• Manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship

Exclusions:

• Normal wear and tear
• Gold/silver plating wear (plating naturally wears with use)
• Damage from misuse or improper care
• Chemical exposure damage
• Unauthorised repairs or alterations

At OD's Jewellers: We coordinate warranty claims and provide professional assessment of issues.

7. FAQs

How do Italian charm bracelets work? Modular links connect using a patented spring mechanism. Each link hooks to the next, creating a secure bracelet that lies flat against your wrist. You can add, remove, or rearrange links at any time to personalise your bracelet.

How do I add charms to a Nomination bracelet? Flex the bracelet gently to release tension on the spring mechanism, or use the optional Composable Key tool. Insert the new link between two existing links and let the spring snap closed. No tools required, though the key makes it easier.

Can I make my Nomination bracelet smaller or larger? Yes—this is the beauty of the Composable® system. Remove links to make it smaller; add links to make it larger. Your bracelet grows and changes with you.

Are Nomination charms real gold? Yes—decorative elements use genuine 18k yellow gold, 18k rose gold, 9k gold, or sterling silver (925) combined with enamel, gemstones, and cubic zirconia. The structural base is high-quality stainless steel for durability and affordability.

Can I shower with a Nomination bracelet? Not recommended. Remove before showering, swimming, or exposure to water and chemicals. Water can dull finishes, affect enamel colours, and loosen gem settings over time.

How many links do I need? Average: 18 links for women, 20–22 for men, 13–15 for children. Measure your wrist in cm, then add 2–3 links for comfortable fit. Visit OD's and we'll help you find the perfect size.

Can I mix gold, silver, and rose gold links? Absolutely! Mixed-metal stacking is a popular modern style. Combine gold and silver for an edgy, sophisticated aesthetic, or layer multiple bracelets in different metals.

Can I buy individual links to add to my existing bracelet? Yes—this is the core concept! Browse our extensive link collection in-store or online at OD's, and add new chapters to your bracelet story whenever you like.

8. Why Choose Nomination at OD's Jewellers

Authorised UK Stockist

Genuine Nomination products with full manufacturer warranty. We never stock counterfeit or grey-market goods.

Extensive Link Collection

Hundreds of charms in-store to browse and choose from—spanning birthstones, hobbies, travel, love, and milestones.

Expert Sizing Service

We'll measure your wrist, help you select the perfect number of links, and ensure ideal fit before purchase. Resizing service available for life as you add or remove links.

Complete Collections

Rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, watches, and accessories across current seasonal collections.

Official Packaging

Signature Nomination packaging and gift-ready presentation.

Warranty Support

UK-based aftercare and warranty coordination. We handle service communication on your behalf.

Personal Service

Independent jeweller expertise with trusted brand backing. We explain the Composable® system, care requirements, and sizing options.

In-Store Link Addition

Free link addition and removal service when you buy a new link in-store.

Discover Nomination at OD's Jewellers—for those who wear their story on their wrist.