What could make a more gorgeous image than a magical band
of light and color shimmering, sparkling around your wrist, mysteriously
peeking through your sleeves or creating a wonderful, effervescing music with
your every movement. These round wonders have been gently enveloping our hands
for centuries, accentuating delicate writs, sprinkling the flash and glow of
glamour into our wardrobe and infusing a touch of excitement into any other
jewelry we might wear.
Bracelets are wonderful, graceful pieces of jewelry that
come in a dizzying variety of styles, colors, forms and sizes. The choice of a
style for a bracelet is very individual, and often reflects the unique style
and distinct personal taste. To help you find the perfect fit this guide offers
a few tips and suggestions.
Chain Link and Mesh Bracelets
One of the classic forms, chain and mesh bracelets come
in many designs. They can be round or flat, wide and narrow as well as be made
of different metals and lengths. Available in virtually all varieties of the
chain styles they are very versatile and effortlessly beautiful.
Bangles
One of the most fun styles of bracelets, a bangle is a
slim, rigid "hoop" that with a single bracelet can be used to achieve a very
simple look, or in combination of several bangles can create an exciting look
and a joyful "clinking" musical sound. They are available in many different
colors and could be further enhanced with colored gemstones. Though usually
they run uninterrupted all the way around your wrist, the narrower bangles are
sometimes made with a clinch, so that they are easier to put on.
Cuff Bracelets
A wider sibling of the bangles, a cuff bracelet is
usually a more ample, rigid bracelet. Due to its form cuffs almost always have
a hinge or have the three-quarters open ended design. The opening in such
bracelet is there to enable you to put it on. The easiest way to get in and out
of one is to slide the open end onto the thinner side of your wrist (with the
thumb facing up.)
Free-form Bracelets
Designers haven't stopped coming up with new ideas for
bracelets. Free-form bracelets could be made out of flexible or rigid pieces
connected together, decorated with shapes and symbols, like flowers and hearts,
or could snake around the wrist as an simple or adorned, elegant coil. They
also come in variety of sizes and materials and are a pure joy to wear and
experience.
Signature Styles
There are a number of styles that have attained a
signature status and name. Charm bracelets are just that, chain link bracelets
with charms suspended from them. Depending on the tastes and wishes of the
wearer a charm bracelet could have a single item or a great multitude hanging
from it. If you know that the person collects them, a charm itself could make a
wonderful present. Charms are available in almost all imaginable and
unimaginable shapes, forms and sizes. Worn by a well known tennis player Chris
Evert, and consequently named, the "tennis" bracelet is a gorgeous piece that
features a row of diamonds, which could be used in different sizes and setting
choices, arranged all around the circumference of the bracelet.
Clasps & Closures
When design calls for it, there are many ways to fasten a
bracelet with a closure. From hinges and hidden, sometimes complicated locking
mechanisms, to clasps and spring clenches, these "devices" must be secure, and
should not interfere with the overall design of the bracelet.
The End Game
Designers must think of the littlest details, and in open
ended bracelets special attention is paid to the bracelet ends, also know as
the terminals. Here, the designers have let their imagination run wild, so much
so, that the gemstones and design work on the terminals could be more precious
than the bracelet itself. But, though it could be that sometimes you want to
show off the terminals more than the rest of the bracelet itself, their main
goal is to allow you to easily and securely slip the bracelet on and to protect
your wrists from sharp edges of the metal.
Like with rings, for bracelets it is important to have
the right size. The bracelet should fit closely enough, so that it stays on
your wrist, without coming off your arm, or moving too far up on your hand. At
the same time it needs to be loose enough to allow for some movement, sit
comfortably on your wrist and not cut off your circulation. Since most
bracelets come in different lengths you can be sure to find one that fits
perfectly. In case your purchase is a gift for somebody else, just to be sure,
try measuring the bracelets they might already have.
Thought many different styles of bracelets could fit the
same person, keep in mind that the style you choose should match well with your
overall taste and your style of jewelry in particular. Though it is entirely a
matter of taste and preference when choosing the style of the bracelet you
should carefully consider the type of cloth that you or the intended wearer
prefers.
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Creating a balance, the narrower bracelets of almost all styles as well as the
light, open ended designs usually look better on the smaller, thinner wrists.
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So that the bracelet get noticed and do not disappear, for the women with
wider, heavier wrists the wider and heavier styles, like cuff bracelets, are
typically the preferred choice.
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If the sleeves of your (or their) clothes are usually elaborately decorative
and lacy, try a bracelet that is more ornate, like a fine, lacy mesh bracelet.
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In contrast, if your clothes are more on the narrower, tailored side, then you
just might find a more elegant and clean-cut style perfect for your tastes.
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If you're completely at a loss, you are in luck, because there are some styles
that will literally look equally gorgeous on anyone with any taste or style.
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Though it is important to see what metal they usually wear, in general, if
planning for a special occasion a bracelet in white gold or platinum is usually
the best choice, while yellow gold is warmer and is more appropriate for every
day wear.
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Gemstones, be that diamonds or any other colored stones, add a lot to the
festive allure and the design of the bracelet. If your goal is to find
something more extravagant and extraordinary, this could be the styles for you.
Take a look at our collection of gemstone encrusted bracelets.
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For a more personal touch, choose a charm bracelet. You can either choose a
bracelet with pre-selected charms that suit your situation, or you can pick out
the charms that will mean the most to the wearer and the occasion.
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If you love to use color in your wardrobe, then turn your attention to the
multicolored bangles and other styles that incorporate magnificent colored
gemstone. If buying for someone else, take a look at their favorite colors to
wear, or at the bracelets with their birthstones.
Now that you have all the facts take a look at our
selection of bracelets and choose one for yourself or as an exquisite present,
and we're sure that you'll be delighted.