A Comprehensive Guide to Selecting the Perfect Bracelet

Bracelets play a pivotal role in elevating your style and adding a glamorous touch to any look. You'll see bracelets in all types of styles, so we'll walk you through all of the different designs so you can choose the perfect one that fits your style. Bracelets are a subtle accessory that adds some pizzazz to your wrist. You'll see chains, tennis, charm, cuffs, and bangle bracelets in various styles.

Understanding Personal Style

Speaking of style, with all the different types of bracelet designs, you'll want to select one that reflects your personal style. It will elevate your look and complement the other accessories in your collection. Consider a classic bangle bracelet or simple chain if you're more of a minimalist. A tennis bracelet adds some subtle sparkle for a classic look and will be worn with everything for years. Consider charm bracelets or fashion-beaded bracelets for a bohemian look. If you have an eclectic style, consider stacking different styles of bracelets to create a unique look.

Materials and Finishes

We briefly mentioned the different bracelet styles, which come in different materials, such as gold, silver, leather, beads, and gemstones. Metal bracelets, especially gold and platinum bracelets, are generally more durable than bracelets made of leather and beads. Bracelets made with metal provide a more polished, elegant accessory as well.

Occasion and Fit

Bracelets' versatility makes them a popular item that can go from day to night. You can layer on bracelets for a more formal look or wear a single bracelet for the day. Bracelets such as tennis bracelets can be worn to work and then for a night out–they quickly go from day to night. Some bracelets are more adorned with gemstones or diamonds, and some might be more suitable for a formal occasion - especially if your other diamond jewelry is more extravagant.

Some bracelets are more fitted, and others are adjustable. To accurately measure your bracelet size, use a soft measuring tape that you can wrap around your wrist. As you wrap the measuring tape snugly around the widest part of your wrist, make a note of the number. You'll want to add a half inch to your bracelet size. If you don't have a working measuring tape, wrap a strip of paper around your wrist and then measure against a ruler.

As you browse different bracelets, consider the clasp and the comfort of the jewelry. You'll want it to feel comfortable on your wrist, and you'll also want the bracelet to be secure on your wrist. Some bracelets have lobster clasps, while others have toggle clasps. Bangles slide on and off, but you'll want to ensure they don't slide off your wrist. A slider or bolo bracelet is adjustable on your wrist, so you'll always get the perfect fit.

Bracelet Types

While it's great to talk about the ins and outs of bracelet styles, seeing some examples is helpful. We gathered our favorite pieces, including tennis, bolo, charm, and cuff bracelets.

Tennis Bracelets

Tennis bracelets are known for being timeless, elegant, and versatile. They feature a continuous line of individually set gemstones, typically diamonds. They're also called "eternity" or "inline" bracelets. You'll see tennis bracelets with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and a mixture of different gemstones. Stones are typically set with prongs or bezel set. Tennis bracelets look amazing during the day and at night; dress them up or down depending on your occasion.

As you browse for tennis bracelets, consider what type of metal you'll like: classic yellow gold, trendy rose gold or timeless white gold. Examine each bracelet for quality. You'll want well-matched stones with consistent clarity and color so that your bracelet has a consistent look.

Bolo Bracelets

Bolo bracelets are adjustable, giving you the ability to make the bracelet fit your wrist perfectly. Typically, you slide a mechanism to make the bracelet smaller or bigger. The ends of the bracelet have details at the end of the cord for a little extra elegance. Here's an example of a diamond bolo bracelet with white gold details on the end of each cord. And here's another eternity bolo bracelet featuring white gold and glamorous sparkle.

Bolo bracelets with more precious stones are typically made using metal. However, you'll see bracelets with leather, chain, or even beaded options. You'll want to ensure the bracelet is sturdy enough to last and that the slider moves smoothly along the cord.

Charm Bracelets

Charm bracelets look gorgeous on the wrist and also allow you to showcase your personality. You can even add charms to represent memories, as well as charms for hobbies, milestones, or special moments you want to acknowledge. Charm bracelets make a great gift to yourself or a loved one because they're customizable and add a unique, sentimental piece of jewelry to your collection. If you want a unique look, check out this diamond charm bracelet.

When you shop for charm bracelets, consider the style of charm bracelet you'd like. You can mix and match charms or keep your charm bracelet simple. As you look for charms, choose ones that are well-crafted and will last a lifetime. You're curating a personal bracelet and want to cherish it for years.

Cuff Bracelets

Cuff bracelets are typically more bold. They're open-ended to slide upon the wrist and are typically wider as well. You'll see simple, sleek cuffs as well as some that are more intricate and detailed. They're a statement bracelet that elevates any outfit!

When you browse cuff bracelets, check the size to ensure they're not too tight or too loose on your wrist. You can stack cuff bracelets or mix and match different styles for a one-of-a-kind look.

Customization and Personalization

In addition to picking your bracelet's style and metal, you can customize it by adding personalized engraving on the inside or selecting charms with personal meaning. Stacking bracelets is a popular trend, and it's a great way to customize your accessories for your desired look. You're spending a lot of time shopping for bracelets, and you want it to last. Some bracelets can be heirloom pieces that can be passed on to other generations.

Care and Maintenance

Diamonds are tough and can scratch other jewelry pieces, so if you have a tennis bracelet or another diamond bracelet, store it separately from other jewelry. You'll also want to get a bracelet with gemstones periodically inspected by a professional jeweler so that you can ensure the stones are safe and secure in their settings. You can also polish and clean your bracelets at home to keep them looking new. When you're exercising or working with your hands, leave your bracelets at home to protect your gorgeous pieces. It is important to look closely at your clasp regularly to ensure there isn't any damage.

Sustainable and Ethical Choices

Consider lab-made diamonds and gemstones if you'd like your jewelry to be sustainable and ethically sourced. Labs use fewer natural resources to produce gemstones, and their source can be pinpointed, making lab grown diamonds an ethical choice. With Clarity has many lab grown bracelet options, so check them out and see how many choices you have!

Conclusion

You'll find plenty of bracelet options out there, so it's essential to think about what type of bracelet you'd like. Browse different tennis, charm, cuff, and bolo bracelets to see which you like the most. From there, check out what types of style variations you like. Have fun mixing and matching different bracelets if you want a stack that reflects you. Consider the material the bracelet is made with and how secure the bracelet will be on your wrist. It's fun picking out jewelry that represents you and your uniqueness.