Russian Imperial Coin Bracelet

[scook17]

I was recently given a bracelet which looks like the one in the photo. The photo is just a sample one I found on ebay, but the design is almost identical. Coins date from around 1836 onwards and are mostly 20 or 15 kopecks coins.

I was wondering about the history of such things and how/why they were made? From what I can see in various auctions the item is not particularly valuable, assuming it's actually real anyway. Was it a fashion at times to wear such jewelry in imperial culture? For example in the British culture, it was common to have sovereign (gold coin) rings or necklaces. It's not common now, but at one time it was. Can anyone tell me a little about these items? Thanks.