If you’re reading this article, you might be in the process of selecting a bracelet for yourself or a loved one and have possibly found yourself overwhelmed by the incredible variety of styles to choose from. Bracelets have a long and storied history and range from the remarkably simple to the complex. They also vary widely in price so insuring the piece is something you should think about early on, well before you make your purchase.
But whether you’re shopping for a bracelet for yourself or as a gift for someone else, this guide will walk you through the eight most common styles of bracelets and hopefully help you pick the one that’s right for you or your loved one.
Tennis Bracelets
Tennis bracelets are the gold standard in fine jewelry bracelets. They’ve long been thought of as a status symbol, and the variety of tennis bracelets to choose from can be quite overwhelming. By definition, tennis bracelets are made from a long row of uniformly cut diamonds or other gemstones that are also the same weight, size, color and shape.
Tennis bracelets are commonly made of diamonds and are a popular gift for anniversaries, graduations, push presents and more. Tennis bracelets are incredibly versatile and can be made in literally any shape of diamond or gemstone in any color of metal. Anyone who loves the idea of adding some bling to their everyday style can consider this timeless classic as one of their first choices for a bracelet as it also transitions seamlessly from daytime to nighttime wear.
Bangle Bracelets
Bangle bracelets differ from tennis bracelets in that they don’t commonly have gemstones set in them. They can, but typically bangle bracelets are made from precious or semi-precious metals and have a rigid shape. In contrast, diamond tennis bracelets have settings that link one gemstone to another to form the length of the bracelet. Bangles have a pre-existing shape that’s not particularly malleable or flexible. Be sure that if you buy a bangle bracelet for yourself or a loved one that it will fit, as bangle bracelets are impractical to resize. If you’re not sure how to properly size your wrist or measure your bracelet, read this article for some helpful advice.
Bolo Bracelets or Slider Bracelets
Bolo bracelets, also known as slider bracelets, have an adjustable clasp that allows you to adjust the size of the bracelet. Named after the Western-wear bolo tie (which was designed to resemble a lariat), bolo bracelets are available in a wide variety of styles and price points. Truly, the sky's the limit regarding options: bolo bracelets can be made with diamonds, gemstones, charms or just an interesting braid of chain. Besides the wide variety of styles and price points to choose from, bolo bracelets make an excellent gift option due to their built-in, custom sizing closure. This means you won’t possibly ruin a surprise gift because you never need to ask the recipient what their wrist size is.
Cuban Link Bracelets
Cuban link bracelets, also known as Miami Cuban link bracelets, are distinguished by their wide and chunky, interlocking link pattern. Cuban link bracelets are prized for their girth and their weight, but be advised that the bigger the chain, the bigger the price tag may be. Some designers even go as far as to “ice” their Cuban links, which means that they cover them with a layer of diamond pave for a truly luxe, dazzling look.
The chain design for Cuban link bracelets can vary widely, with some links mimicking interlocking baguettes and some designers incorporating interesting details like beveling the links or flattening them out. Adjusting the size of a Cuban link bracelet is comparatively easier than adjusting the size of bracelets mentioned above, but it’s highly recommended that any resizing be done by a professional.
Charm Bracelets
Many of you reading this article may fondly remember wearing a charm bracelet when you were younger, and you may have grown up still loving this style of bracelet. For those who don’t know, a charm bracelet is a bracelet with links that allow you to attach various “charm” designs. These charms typically carry significant personal meaning and are given to the owner of the bracelet in celebration of various events or milestones.
The wonderful thing about charm bracelets is how detailed they can be for each person, as jewelry designers make charms for almost everything. Love horses? There’s a charm for that. What about science or astrology? There are charms for those interests, too. If you’re giving a charm bracelet as a gift, consider gifting a few charms that would appeal to the recipient’s personal tastes as well when you present them with the bracelet. A charm bracelet is the gift that keeps giving, as you can add charms to this special piece of jewelry over a lifetime.
Pearl Bracelets
Pearl bracelets are a fairly straightforward style of bracelet, in that they’re made of pearls. Although pearls are traditionally thought of as being white, they actually come in a dazzling array of colors like black, peach, cream, gray and gold. The style of pearl bracelets can also vary widely as some designs consist of a long, single strand of pearls while others space the pearls apart, leaving some of the chain binding them together exposed to create a more minimalist look. Some pearl bracelets will also incorporate multiple strands of pearls in a single bracelet for a multi-layered look.
Pearls will be sold as “natural” or “cultured,” the former meaning that the pearls were harvested without the help of humans encouraging them to grow. Natural pearls are very rare according to GIA and most natural pearls in today’s marketplace are antiques. Cultured pearls are pearls that were grown on a pearl farm. As you can probably infer, the price difference between a natural pearl bracelet and a cultured pearl bracelet is significant, but you should still insure both styles to protect yourself against accidental loss or damage.
Bar Bracelets
Bar bracelets are a type of bracelet design that has a bar or plate in the middle of the chain. This bar is usually flat and will allow you to engrave a personalized message on it if there’s not already an existing design on it. The plate can take many different shapes and sizes and can also be decorated with gemstones. Bar bracelets are available in every color metal and are a great style of bracelet to wear every day due to their simplicity and understated appearance.
Cuff Bracelets
Cuff bracelets are a unique style of bracelet in that they don’t have a clasp. Cuff bracelets have a narrow opening that allows you to slide your wrist inside using the narrow side of your wrist. You then rotate the bracelet, so the opening is on the underside of your wrist to not only show off the design of the bracelet but to prevent it from accidentally falling off.
Cuff bracelets come in a variety of styles, sizes and materials. Though cuff bracelets are rigid, some metal cuff bracelet designs are somewhat flexible in that you can bend them slightly for a better fit. But as some cuff bracelets are made from ceramics or plastic, be sure you won’t cause any damage by trying to manually adjust the size of the cuff before you bend it.
As you can see, the range of options for bracelet designs varies widely in terms of style and cost. Before you make any bracelet purchase, be sure to read our articles regarding how to properly measure your bracelet size and how each style of bracelet should fit to ensure the bracelet you bring home fits just perfectly.
The wonderful thing about jewelry, however, is that it’s meant to be worn as a personal expression of your style and as you grow and evolve. So, too, can your personal collection of bracelets grow to reflect the many facets of your life. As you grow your own collection, be sure to purchase personal jewelry insurance for your bracelets. Check your rate using the button below!
