If you’re looking for all things bracelet, you’ve come to the right place! This article will discuss everything you need to know about buying a bracelet, the types available, the materials used to make them, and more. 

What is a Bracelet? 

Just in case it’s not obvious, a “Bracelet” is defined as any category of ornamental jewelry worn on the arm or wrist. It is worn to draw attention to your wrist while exhibiting elegance and style. There are many styles of bracelets from bangles to personalized charm bracelets and at Lexie Jordan, we have many unique bracelets and accept custom orders. 

History of Bracelets

The term “bracelet” has two possible roots; one that comes from the Greek word “brachile” which means “of the arm”, and from the Old French word “bracel”. It is known that when women started wearing smaller versions of these, they were called “bracelets”.

Back then, ancient Greeks wore cuffs on their upper and lower arm as decoration. However, Greek soldiers also used wide metal and leather cuffs as part of their uniform and for protection, which was later adopted by Romans. 

Why are Bracelets So Popular? 

Bracelets are a quick and easy way to enhance the way we look and are the ultimate accessory to make a statement. They never go out of style and have been decorating our wrists since ancient times because they create a feeling of elegance and class. Plus, there are bracelets for any occasion and purpose. Essentially, you can wear a bracelet anytime to quickly and easily add a bit of flair to your outfit. 

Common Types of Bracelets by Style 

Chain Bracelet

Chain bracelets are composed of small ovals or loops that are linked together. It has a simple and fluid design that creates a classic look for its owner. Chain bracelets can be worn alone or you can attach charms to make it a little more personalized. Chunky and heavy chain bracelets are commonly worn by men while the thinner chain bracelets are popular among women.

Link Bracelet

This type is made up of numerous separate pieces to make one whole bracelet. Any kind of bracelet which has pieces that link together can be considered as a link bracelet, with the most popular brands being Tiffany and Swarovski. 

Tennis Bracelet

Tennis bracelets are made of a series of small gemstone beads that are linked together in a narrow chain. Previously known as Eternity bracelets, the name of this bracelet has changed after the famous tennis player, Chris Evert, wore a diamond bracelet while playing a tennis match. She noticed that her bracelet was missing and instantly paused the game and shouted, “I’ve dropped my tennis bracelet” — thus changing its name forever.

Charm Bracelet

These range from the traditional charm bracelets that feature a chain with charms attached, to charm bracelets that are made of a series of charms, with the most popular versions coming from pandora.  In ancient times, people wore charms made of wood, bones, or clay to ward off evil spirits or bad luck. Nowadays, charm bracelets are used to denote family origin, represent fashion trends, political or religious views, or sentimental life events. A feature unique that charm bracelets have is that you can continuously change the charms to alter the entire look of your bracelet.  

Bangle Bracelet

If you’re looking for jewelry that is easy to toss on as you walk out the door, then a bangle bracelet is perfect. It’s a rigid bracelet that doesn't have an opening or clasp, which means you only need to slide it over your hand. This type of bracelet comes in various metals and materials, including sterling silver, jade, porcelain, gold, and more. 

Cuff Bracelet

Cuff bracelets are pretty similar to bangles except they have a gap that separates one end from the other. This bracelet can be adjusted by squeezing or pulling the edge to slide over the wrist. However, you should keep the adjustments to a minimum to avoid weakening the jewelry material. This type of bracelet became popular during the time of Cleopatra and as once again become popular thanks to royals. 

Beaded Bracelet

This type of bracelet is made of a wide variety of bright and colorful beads like Lapis Lazuli, Tiger’s eye, Rose quartz, Amethyst, African turquoise, and many more. Some people call this type of bracelet a Mala or yoga bracelet, which is said to have healing and spiritual properties. They can range from simple strung jewelry to beautifully stitched pieces and are known for their flexibility, as they stretch and cling to your wrists without a clasp.

Friendship Bracelet

Friendship bracelets are commonly braided or woven with the use of some type of cords like yarn, Perle cotton, embroidery floss, or craft thread. This type of bracelet is popular among children and young adults who have a special connection with their friends or family. The purpose of a friendship bracelet is to find two or more matching bracelets and give one as a gift to your best friend, a circle of friends, or each member of your family. 

Alternative Health Bracelet/Magnetic Bracelet

There are four popular types of health bracelets, which are power balance hologram bracelets, karma bracelets, magnetic bracelets, and ionized bracelets. Each one has its own unique benefits and reason for wearing. 

Multi-strand/Braided Bracelet

Multi-strand bracelets are made up of two or more strands of decorative materials to form a bracelet. They can be made of multiple strands of the same material or a combination of materials. They can also have beads or gemstones embedded in them and can be braided into numerous patterns, so every bracelet is unique. 

Pearl Bracelet

Pearl bracelets are one of the most classic bracelets of all time. It’s a beautiful bracelet that balances sophistication and effortless style, which is truly unrivaled in terms of beauty and class. However, imitation pearls are used these days, to give a cheaper price while having a look that comes close to the real thing. 

Macrame Bracelet

The Macrame bracelet is made up of different knots and weaving techniques and can be incorporated with beads and different colors for a more personalized design. A slider knot that allows the wearer to adjust the bracelet to fit them can also be added.

Wrap Bracelet

These bracelets simply loop around our wrist. They look similar to stacked bracelets and can be beaded, made of leather or macrame. 

Turquoise Bracelet

These beautiful, blue-green bracelets are made of turquoise, which is a naturally existing mineral that has been widely used to make bracelets through the ages.

Toggle Clasp Bracelet

These bracelets refer to any type of bracelet that makes use of a toggle clasp, which is a bar with a ring closure. 

Designer Bracelet

Designer bracelets are custom-designed pieces made by an experienced jeweler. These are usually extremely fancy and are made with expensive diamonds and other jewels that give them a one-of-a-kind look. There is an endless amount of styles and designs, so no two are ever the same, but they can be expensive when high-quality jewels are used.

Affirmation Bracelet

Affirmation bracelets are usually made of rubber, leather, metal, and even strands of beads. This type of bracelet can be personalized where you can write a phrase that you repeat to yourself during hard times or even include the name of your significant other. 

Different Types Of Bracelets By Material 

Gold Bracelet

These bracelets are made up of gold, which is a very soft metal, so in order to give it strength, it is often mixed with alloy. Gold purity in jewelry will usually range from 10 karats (which is 41.7% pure gold) to 22 karats (which is 91.6% pure gold). If your jewelry was 24 karat, it would be far too soft for you to confidently wear without damaging. There are also variants in color, in the forms of yellow gold, white gold, or even rose gold.

Gold Plated Bracelets

Gold plated bracelets look just like gold bracelets but are actually made from a different material (such as brass) that’s covered in a thin layer of gold. A bracelet can be made from gold plated materials (as mentioned), from gold-filled materials (these have a thicker layer of gold compared to gold plated ones), or vermeil (where the metal underneath the gold is silver). 

Silver and Stainless steel Bracelet

These bracelets are made up of different types of silver; silver alloy which may tarnish but can be removed easily using a cleaning solution, and stainless steel, which is durable, won’t tarnish, and won’t get scratches easily. 

Platinum Bracelet

Platinum is a very elegant metal, and as a result, it is also one of the most expensive. It’s extremely resistant to tarnishing and corrosion, while being very soft, making it easy to shape. 

Copper and Brass

Just like silver, copper can also tarnish but can be restored to its former beauty by using a cleaning solution. Brass, on the other hand, resembles gold and has a unique shine. While copper can be found naturally, brass is actually a man-made metal.  

Gemstone Bracelets

Gemstone bracelets are stunning and can be made with multiple gemstones such as Diamond, Amethyst, Citrine, Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, and many others. However, there are popular “gemstone” bracelets available which are no actually gemstones at all but rather made from relatively common stones. 

Wood Bracelets

Wood bracelets come in a variety of styles and colors. They can be made with wooden beads, out of solid wood, and in more shapes and sizes than I could include here. 

Leather Bracelets

Leather bracelets can be made from different types of leather, are very comfortable to wear, and can be left on your wrists for long periods of time. They’re also cheap and trendy making them very popular among young adults.

Bracelet Gift Ideas From Lexie Jordan

When you’re looking for the perfect gift for yourself or your loved one, you want Lexie Jordan. We offer a variety of bracelets with different stones, metals, and looks to match any style and budget. We also create custom jewelry upon request so reach out to us now or visit our shop.