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Whether you are purchasing a bauble for yourself or shopping for a special gift for someone else, bracelets are one of the most popular forms of jewelry, and they come in a wide variety of styles.
Costume bracelets can pack a lot of punch on a budget, and fine jewelry bracelets can mark a special occasion with a sparkling dose of sentiment. However, it can also be overwhelming to narrow down choices and fit.
Personal preference is the biggest factor overall when it comes to whether we want a bracelet snugly wrapped around our wrists or dangling loosely, but there are a number of other important considerations to explore.
Bracelet Fits: It Starts With Style
The style of a bracelet often dictates the fit, and we will walk through some of the most popular bracelet styles below.
Types of Bracelets
Cuffs
One of the reasons many people love cuff bracelets is the ease of putting them on and taking them off. Cuff bracelets slip around the wrist without a clasp or tricky attachment that can be difficult to manage on your own.
Oversized cuffs are great statement pieces and can often elevate a simple outfit. Not all cuffs are oversized, however: cuff bracelets also come in sleek profiles and simple silver or gold.
By design, cuffs tend to have a snug fit, but they can generally be stretched to accommodate wrist size. It's always a good idea to try on a cuff before purchasing it to ensure it fits comfortably, especially if you have a larger wrist.
Bangles
Bangle bracelets do not have openers or fasteners; they slide on the hand over the wrist. While they are popular and fashionable, bangles can be tricky to fit. If you have extremely dainty wrists, you may find that bangles slip off; for those with larger hands and wrists, bangles can be difficult to slide on and should also be tried on before purchasing.
Tip: Before shopping for bracelets online, it's a good idea to know your wrist measurement, which you can take with a tape measure.
Tennis Bracelets
Tennis bracelets have been classics and favorites for decades. They were once called eternity bracelets, but the tennis bracelet moniker took hold when Chris Evert famously paused a match at the 1987 US Open to retrieve the diamond bracelet that fell off her wrist.
These bracelets are filled with diamonds or other stones in a continuous line all the way around the wrist. They are delicate and stunning, and they are often used to mark couples' special anniversaries.
Charm Bracelets
Charm bracelets come in many different varieties and are sentimental keepsake pieces that are often passed down in families. Generally, one metal is used (silver or gold), and charms often reflect the wearer's interests and hobbies.
Link bracelets can be delicate or chunky and come in a variety of metals, including mixed metals. Individual links are hooked together to form a chain and clasp.
Stretch Bracelets
A wide variety of stretch bracelets are popular in both costume and fine jewelry settings, especially because they allow those with larger hands and wrists to stretch a bracelet safely to get it on and then the elastic returns back to a snug fit.
Are Bracelets Better Loose or Tight?
As you can see from the variety of bracelets described above, the style often dictates the fit, with cuff bracelets, for example, fitting snugly around the list. A bangle, on the other hand, hangs loosely around the wrist as part of its design.
When it comes to tennis bracelets, charm bracelets, and link bracelets, as well as some other styles, your personal preference for fit will play a big role, as well as these factors:
- If you experience any skin sensitivities with metals, a snug fit may cause irritation. You may need to avoid certain metals altogether when shopping for bracelets. Those with a nickel allergy will need to pay attention to the metals used in the bracelet and may opt for those made only with sterling silver, 18-karat yellow gold, or platinum.
- If you are extremely active or work with your hands, loose-fitting bracelets may be a distraction. Those who type often throughout the work day can also find that certainly dangling bracelets are noisy and a nuisance in the office. One simple cuff might be preferable to bangles that clank against one another.
- Mothers of young children may opt for simple and snug-fitting bracelets that little hands can't tug on. The heirloom charm bracelet passed down by your grandmother might be best left stored in your jewelry box until the kids are older.
Finding the right fit means considering all these factors, as well as your personal sense of style. An arm full of chunky bracelets might be off-putting to a minimalist, and a simple tennis bracelet might be too traditional and classic for someone who likes a little more flair.
If it's a custom piece you are after, Happy Jewelers can take your idea and turn it into a reality. Contact our team to learn more about the exquisite custom jewelry services we offer to make a special, one-of-a-kind piece for you or a loved one.
Tips on Bracelet Care
For bracelets made with semi-precious metals and diamonds or other gemstones, you will want to clean and store them properly to protect your investment.
Pay attention to the jeweler's cleaning recommendations. While some items can be cleaned safely at home with a gentle dish soap and a soft toothbrush, other bracelets may need professional cleaning, especially if they are worn often and collect debris in prongs, between stones, and other hard-to-reach places.
Be sure to store bracelets in a way that avoids tangles and other damage. Chain and link bracelets can become entwined and difficult to pull apart safely if they are thrown loosely in jewelry boxes or travel cases together. A simple tiered stand can be especially helpful for those who have a large collection of bracelets.