Keyrings & Bag Charms

Keyring, keychain or bag charm?

A keyring holds your keys together and gives you something to find at the bottom of a bag. Keychain is another word for the same thing, and keychains often have a short chain between the ring and the piece that hangs from it. A bag charm is simply a keyring worn on a handle, a strap or a zip pull instead of a bunch of keys.

How a keyring fastens decides how you will use it. A split ring, the double coil you prise open with a thumbnail, holds keys firmly and is slow to work loose. A clip or a clasp opens in a moment, which suits a bag charm you like to move between bags.

Where it will hang and what it will carry

We would start with where the keyring will spend its days. On house or car keys it is dropped, handled and pushed into pockets, so pick something that copes with knocks and will not feel bulky. On a handbag, a rucksack or a school bag it is more on show and can be a little larger. Think about the load as well: a single front door key asks far less of a ring than a full bunch with a car fob. Lastly, consider the person: would they rather carry something simple or something that raises a smile?

What our keyrings are made of

Many of our keyrings are metal, which feels solid in the hand and suits keys that get heavy use. You will also find some in plastic and a few in acrylic, a rigid plastic that keeps its shape. Plastic and acrylic weigh less than metal, which helps on a bunch that is already heavy.

Some are made with polyester, a hard-wearing synthetic, and a few are faux leather.

Who our keyrings suit

Most of our keyrings are a good fit for teenagers, who use them on school bags, house keys and pencil cases as a quick way to show what they like. For a teenager with their first house key, a keyring gives it a home and makes it easier to find.

Some are a thoughtful choice for her, perhaps on a handbag strap or a set of car keys, and a few make a good gift for him, for the keys he carries daily. You will also find some for children, where a keyring on a school bag or a lunch bag becomes something of their own to look after.

Bag charms and keyrings for Christmas stockings

Our keyrings are suited to Christmas giving, and a keyring is one of the classic stocking fillers: easy to wrap, easy to pair with another present, and useful from Boxing Day onwards. They work well for an office gift swap too, where a present that gets used is often the hardest thing to find.

Some suit parties as well, and a keyring in a party bag gives guests something to take home and keep. A bag charm suits someone who carries the same handbag or rucksack daily, because it is seen rather than tucked away in a drawer.

Keeping a keyring looking its best

A keyring lives a hard life, rubbing against keys and coins, so a little care goes a long way. Metal is best wiped with a soft, dry cloth to lift fingerprints and grime; keep it away from perfume and hand cream, which can dull it. Plastic and acrylic clean up with a damp cloth, but avoid alcohol-based cleaners, which can cloud acrylic.

Polyester can be spot cleaned with mild soapy water and left to air dry. Check the ring now and then too, as a split ring opened many times can loosen and is simple to replace.