Bracelet

Bracelets, also commonly referred to as bangles, are pieces of jewelry that are most often worn around the wrist but can also be worn around the upper arm or even the ankle. Bracelets are fashioned from a wide variety of different materials, and also serve many purposes beyond fashion. Bracelets are also offered in literally thousands of styles, shapes (yes, some are even square, or octagon shaped) and colors.

Types of Bracelets and Materials

Just a few types of bracelets include: sports bracelets, silicone rubber "awareness" bracelets that help raise money for charities, identification bracelets, hospital bracelets, name bracelets, expansion bracelets, cuff bracelets, beaded bracelets, ankle bracelets, charm bracelets, spiral bracelets, personalized bracelets, and link bracelets.

Bracelet styles are so vast and varied that everything from rubber and plastic to gold and diamonds are used to create funky, classic, ethnic or formal styles. They can be made of gold, silver, brass, pearl, diamond, beads, wood, elastic, silicon rubber, felt, plastic, nylon, stones, shells, cubic zirconia, emeralds, and even glass.

Selecting the Right Size

One of the easiest parts of the body to measure is the wrist. Most bracelets are made to fit common wrist sizes. Petite fits wrist size 5 ½' - 6", Small 6" – 6 ½'", Medium 6 ½' – 7", and Large 7" – 7 ½". To determine the size of your wrist, measure around the smallest part of the wrist, just behind the round wrist bone. Wrap a string around this part of the wrist and measure the string against a ruler or tape measure. Keep in mind, the bracelet will not fit as snugly as the string.

Some women prefer bracelets that fit snugly, while others prefer a loose-fit to create a layered, "dangling" look. Whatever your preference, be sure the bracelet isn't too large as it may slip off of your wrist without your knowledge of it.

By Michelle Burton

Bracelet

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