From statement cuffs to everyday beaded bracelets to elegantly stylish bangles and charms – bracelets are a fantastic way to accentuate your style and flaunt it to the world.
Since the very beginning, bracelets have been considered highly fashionable accessories which can be paired with a variety of outfits to achieve the desired effect. In fact, bracelets have been around for practically forever and worn as status symbols or to highlight one’s fashion sense and preferences. According to some experts, one of the earliest discoveries of bracelets dates back to a Siberian cave 40,000 years ago where a bracelet made out of an exotic green stone was discovered.
Each kind of bracelet you see online today or in a physical storefront exudes a unique style, a certain subculture if you will, a specific aesthetic, and its own origin as well as tradition.
Sit back, relax, and grab a cuppa as we take you through the different types of bracelets available today.
Different Types of Bracelets
Pearl bracelets
The classic pearl type is one of the most common types of bracelets worn today. You’ll typically see a string of real or artificial pearls, where every single gem is individually knotted to keep them securely in place. You might come across other pearl bracelet styles as well, such as tin cup pearl, multi-layered pearl, and designs with alternating chain and pearls.
However, some of the most popular pearl bracelets on the market today are cultured pearls such as the saltwater and freshwater types, available in multiple varieties of natural and dyed colours. The classic white gems, for example, are very popular, while the silver, copper, champagne, golden and peacock ones are nearly as popular, if not more.
If you’re initially spoilt for choice and aren’t sure which tone or colour to go with, we’d recommend the classic white pearl bracelet as it can easily blend with any outfit. In the last year or so, pearl bracelets have made a comeback, with more men now experimenting with this style of bracelet.
Pearl bracelets make for great gifts too but did you know that the use of pearls as a gift dates back to the 2300 BC Chinese royalty era? In ancient Rome, pearl jewellery was seen as a high status symbol – no wonder Julius Caesar passed legislation to limit ownership of pearls to only the ruling classes.
Chain bracelets
Chain bracelets are mostly made using metallic links. The types of chains used may vary although the most common are the classic cable chains with interlocked box chains, oval links, rope chains, wheat chains, and curb chains.
The majority of chain bracelets are made from metals like stainless steel, silver, and gold, although it’s not uncommon to see those made from plastics like acrylic and resin, or even wood.
All chain bracelets have closures because they are not expandable. One of the most popular types of chain bracelet closure in use today is the lobster claw.
Affirmation bracelets
Affirmation bracelets work well with just about any attire and are great for everyday use no matter what your fashion and style preferences.
This bracelet type has a phrase embedded elegantly into the jewellery, which makes them extra special as they contain a personalised expression which can be worn right next to the heart. Is there any special phrase or saying that you repeat to yourself, especially during challenging times? Or, perhaps a specific date that has a special meaning to you? Go right head and personalise your affirmation bracelet with it!
Alternatively, you might gift an affirmation bracelet to a friend or loved one. No matter what the occasion, a birthday celebration or an upcoming anniversary, for instance, where you want to honour it with an affirmation bracelet, the options are vast and varied.
Charm bracelets
Charm bracelets typically feature a chain that has charms attached to it. However, you might come across charm bracelets made entirely from charms. Imagine taking all those dangling charms and linking them up without actually attaching them to a chain.
So, in terms of creativity, charm bracelets offer plenty of options, giving you a chance to make yours as unique as possible. Some charm bracelets feature a sturdy closure, giving you further customisation options, such as toggles, spring rings, lobster, and other kinds of hook closures.
You’ll find that some of the most popular types of charm shapes attached to the bracelets are typically letters, crosses, locks, hearts, or any pendant that’s symmetrical. Given their freedom of personalisation, charm bracelets make for excellent gifts, whether they are made from gems, rocks or even wood.
Gemstone bracelets
From sapphires and citrine to amethyst and many more, gemstone bracelets are not only stunning to look at but can also be mixed up with multiple gemstones or, should you choose, isolated to only one gem type with accentuating metals to accompany.
Gemstone bracelets have historically made for very thoughtful gifts because every birthday month has a dedicated birthstone. The next time you’re not sure what to gift your special friend or loved one, surprise them with a gemstone bracelet that contains their specific birthstone.
However, you don’t have to wear gemstone bracelets according to your birth month. For example, if you have a favourite gemstone in mind such as aventurine, rose quartz, or chakra, you can certainly wear it as a bracelet and enjoy the sheer joy as well as pleasure it brings you!
Leather bracelets
Leather bracelets are made from leather materials, as anybody would guess, and may take the form of either a leather cuff or wristlet.
Most leather bracelets are made up of full leather although you’ll find those that contain decorative elements ranging from charms and pendants to name tags and gemstones.
Leather bracelets are bi-gender, and so, you’ll see both men and women wearing them in different cultures and subcultures. Surfer style leather bracelets containing pearls, for example, are a popular type of leather bracelet worn by men and women.
Some of the most popular leather bracelets today are leather cuffs and braided wristlets, and as mentioned earlier, some designs will boast just leather while others tend to have decorative elements such as baubles, charms, gemstones, and plaques or name tags.
Slider bracelets
Slider bracelets typically consist of a chain and, at times, a textile material. These bracelets get their name from the fact that they feature a fastener or slider which looks like the buckle of a belt.
Slider bracelets are relatively new in the jewellery market and work through silicon inserts which firmly grip the inserted chain strings. The main benefit of wearing such a bracelet is that it can be adjusted on the fly, so you can imagine how versatile slider bracelets are – they can fit onto practically any wrist size.
Even though slider bracelets are just starting to become more common in the jewellery world, they were actually quite popular in the 1940s, thanks to the resurgence of Victorian era jewellery styles and sensibilities.
Slider bracelets are also known as bolo bracelets, and are undeniably one of the most comfortable and easy-to-wear bracelet types. You’ll usually find them in a wide variety of styles too even though their popularity has just started to surge.
Tennis bracelets
Tennis bracelets are usually made with diamonds, so it’s no surprise they are worn and adorned by people of all ages. Don’t let the “tennis” in this type of bracelet mislead you though as they are not reserved for professional tennis players or anything like that.
However, interestingly, they got their name from a rather famous tennis star (Chris Evert) who wore an “eternity” bracelet during one of her matches. During the game, Evert asked the Umpire for a timeout as her bracelet apparently flew off her wrist – and so, the eternity bracelet was renamed the tennis bracelet.
Whether you’re an athlete or an ordinary person, you will absolutely love combining your tennis bracelet with your outfit of choice as these have become a staple jewellery accessory for people from all walks of life. So, whether on the tennis court or the court of life, you can bet heads will be turning when they see one of these gleaming on your wrist!
Bar bracelets
Bar bracelets are called just that because they have a metallic bar. Such bracelets are typically made with a flexible chain, although you might also come across closed bangle or rigid open variations.
The bar element in this bracelet is actually a decorative feature which adds a rather minimalistic although very interesting touch to the bracelet all the while. Want to make things even more interesting? Use the space on the bar to engrave words or phrases, and either flaunt them on your own or offer it to someone as an elegant customised gift with some added sentimental value.
Expanding bracelets
Expanding bracelets – also called expanding bangles – are a type of bracelet where there’s no rigid closure, so you can adjust them easily as desired. Perhaps, the most popular kind of expanding bracelet is one where you’ll find an overlapping metal design and this is done deliberately to allow a great deal of flexibility.
The overlapping section has guide bars, allowing the bangle or bracelet to slide in or out according to your wrist size.
The expanding bracelet was made famous through Speidal, a brand which acquired the design from the inventor, Karl E. Stiegele.
Wristwatch bracelets
How about we arrive at our destination on schedule and look fashionable at the same time? Consider wearing a wristwatch bracelet to the occasion!
This is often regarded as a hybrid accessory in the fashion world as it doubles up as a bracelet and watch. What a way to combine form and functionality, eh? Versatility overload!
Now, with a stylish wristwatch bracelet on, of course, you can decide whether you want to arrive right on time or be fashionably late. One thing is for certain: you’ll always be arriving in style, there’s no denying that.
Kandi bracelets
Kandi bracelets are typically associated with all things rave music. Naturally, they have bright-coloured beads and words/phrases of affirmation engraved on a basic-looking elastic band without any clasp.
Kandi bracelets are usually worn stacked with other bracelets, be they Kandi or otherwise. During music festivals, they are exchanged with other attendees, with a friendly handshake initiating the exchange.
You’ll find Kandi bracelets in variations too, such as belt, headbands, and cuffs, all of which effectively utilise the colourful bead design that’s synonymous with this style of bracelet.
Did you know that Kandi bracelets were initially made and worn solely by drug peddlers from the early 1990s? These individuals would show up at raves carrying drugs, often wearing them not only on their wrist but all the way up to their arm so that ravers would know that they are ‘fully loaded’ and ready to sell!
Ankle bracelets
Ankle bracelets are also referred to as anklets, a stylish piece of jewellery worn around the ankle to draw attention to a woman’s feet and, perhaps, lower leg.
These bracelets may be made of chain or thread, featuring lovely pendants, pearls, beads, charms, and other decorations or adornments, which may be fixed or dangling.
Ankle bracelets feature lobster closures mostly and have a much thinner and daintier appearance compared to conventional wrist bracelets. In Ancient Egypt, ankle bracelets were worn regularly by women belonging to all social classes as a statement jewellery piece and as a means to make them appear more attractive as well as sophisticated.
You might have heard the term ‘pattilu’ which is a kind of anklet that’s similar to a hand chain, featuring a toe ring connected to an ankle bracelet by a thin chain.
Slap bracelets
These type of bracelets are made from a flexible steep material and look like a tape measure. The sheet of metal is typically covered in fabric or plastic along with a unique design. In the 1980s, slap bracelets were originally known as ‘slap wraps’.
The term ‘slap’ is specifically used because when extended and ‘slapped’ on the wrist with a bit of force, the bracelet snugly snaps around the wearer’s wrist, fitting like a glove. However, slap bracelets cannot be technically called a fashion accessory as they are rather basic in design and most popular among children, pre-teens, and teens.
The original invention of the slap bracelet dates back to 1983, with the credit going to Stuart Anders, an American teacher from Wisconsin.
Cuff bracelets
A cuff bracelet resembles an open bangle bracelet in that it doesn’t have a closure. Compared to other common types, the cuff bracelet is more open, wider, and more rigid. It’s typically made from solid metals although the cuffs can be made from stone, wood, and sturdy plastic metals.
The key difference to note between a cuff bracelet and an open bangle bracelet is that the former is physically thicker and wider, featuring a far more rigid structure. Since there are no clasps, this kind of bracelet can be put on fairly easily, compared to bracelets featuring lobster clasps. Not only that, but the opening in a cuff bracelet is flexible, so the wearer can conveniently adjust the size as needed.
You might buy cuff bracelets made from solid metals or the less common ones which are made from wood, stone, and plastic materials, as mentioned earlier – although it’s worth noting that this bracelet type is mostly worn as a statement piece because it occupies a fair amount of space on the wrist and arm.
Moreover, while the cuff bracelet is considered a bi-gender jewellery piece, it is mostly worn by women. The origins of this bracelet can be traced back to 5,000 years where the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians used to wear it as a status symbol and as a protection talisman. However, over the years, cuff bracelets have also popped up in other ancient cultures, such as the Kenyan tribe of Maasai and the South African Ndebele women.
Beaded bracelets
Beaded bracelets contain a string of beads or, at times, multiple beaded strings. The beads are usually made from plastic, gems, glass or wood, and may vary in shape, colour, and size.
These bracelets often feature an elasticated construction and may come with different closure types and adjustable sizing. Common beaded bracelet designs include mixed beads, crescent beading, and uniform designs which comprise beads of the same shape and colour.
Multiple beaded bracelets are often put together for the wearer in order to enhance their meditative and spiritual goals. Other than that, they work great if you’re after a casual but attractive look, especially when you stack them with other beaded bracelets.
The most common design configurations in beaded bracelets include adjustable, elasticated, wrap-style, and those featuring closures. The beads are usually placed on a wire, string, or elastic.
Open bangle bracelet
Open bangle bracelets, as the term suggests, have a circular shape and do not have closures. The key difference, however, between a closed bangle and an open bangle is that the latter features a small opening.
This bracelet type is often non-flexible and has a rigid construction, although in rare instances, it can be constructed using flexible sleek metals. On occasion, you may come across open bangle bracelets containing a decorative element towards one end of the bracelet, such as a small circle or bar elements with engravings on it, interlocked designs, or gems at both ends.
Friendship bracelets
A friendship bracelet may be any type of bracelet with meaning attached to it, representing a bond or friendship between either two individuals or a group of individuals. However, the key trait that distinguishes a friendship bracelet from other bracelets is that they are mostly woven and knot-tied through embroidery floss. The resulting pattern is typically bright, bold, and eye-catching to signify the friendship or bond.
Friendship bracelets are offered as a promise of friendship where both people wear it as a means of cementing their bond. The very first friendship bracelet goes all the way back to Native American culture. Today, they are highly popular among children and teens, as well as young adults.
A word of caution: friendship bracelets should be kept away from water as it can cause the texture to warp and change shape, potentially ruining it permanently. With that said, friendship bracelets do fray and wear out the more they are used, so you might need to replace yours every now and then.
Hololith bracelets
A Hololith bracelet comprises of a single piece of stone which is crafted or integrated into the bangle’s structure. This type of bracelet is made using Jade in most cases although it can also be constructed from other kinds of stones as well.
Hololith bracelets have a robust, rigid, and sturdy structure. They have no closures and are believed to be less ‘bracelet’ and more ‘bangle’. The term “Hololith” refers to rings constructed from a single stone. Another reason they’re considered bangles rather than bracelets is that they are made by carving crystal, as well as the absence of closures and having a very compact and sturdy structure, as mentioned earlier.
Wooden bracelets
As anyone might guess, wooden bracelets are indeed made from wood mainly. They come in two forms – a bangle and cuff design where circular solid wood pieces are used, and a design where beads are structured together on an elasticated wire or string.
Wooden bracelets are usually very rigid and do not have a closure, particularly if they are the elasticated type. While these type of bracelets are considered to be minimalistic jewellery pieces, they are still eye-catching despite being less common than other types.
Closing thoughts
With so many bracelet types to choose from, which ones will you end up wearing? It can be a tough choice at first although bracelets of all types carry their own special charm and uniquely add to the colour, pop, glow, or sparkle of any outfit.
If we’ve missed out on any of the common types of bracelets in style today, do let us know in the comments section below. In the meantime, browse through our unique and stylish selection of bracelets for men and women.