The Best Bracelets

Buying Guide

Genuine gold, silver and diamond bracelets can cost a fortune, but fortunately, costume jewelry versions can look just as real and are a fraction of the cost. There are so many kinds to choose from, and while some are very casual, others are much dressier.

Gold-tone has always been popular, but be careful because some poorly made ones will tarnish quickly or stain your wrist green or black. The discoloration is not toxic, but it shows poor quality and can be pretty annoying.

In Indian culture, women wear bangles after marriage to symbolize health and good luck; they are more than just jewelry. Bangles can be rigid and solid or stretchy and flexible, with or without clasps. The metal bangles slip over the hand and onto the wrist, have to be loose enough to move around and can make noise.

Check the diameter on the product page; if your wrist is too small or large, the fit will be wrong. You can wear single, wide statement bangles on the wrist alone or with a few thin ones; thinner ones can be stacked and layered in different combinations.

Chain bracelets are mostly made from linked together with metal loops from gold, silver and other metals. Other kinds of costume bracelets include charms, beaded, slider, friendship and tennis bracelets. For the latter, you can find costume jewelry versions made from rhinestones.

If the bracelet does have a clasp, look it over to make sure that it’s strong and secure. Many bracelets are also adjustable, which is a great feature to look for, but stretchy bangle bracelets also adjust to your wrist size.

• The best bracelets have even prongs, sparkly and clear faux stones, sharp lines and strong settings.
• Keep all of your bangles stored together unless you want to lose one or some of them.
• Green skin discoloration comes from copper in metal, and black comes from silver in metal.
• If your bracelet is making your wrist or arm red, stop wearing it because the material is irritating the skin.
• If a bangle doesn’t fit over your hand, don’t force it because it’s too small.
• Bangles do jangle when you move, which may or may not be pleasing to the ear.
• There’s nothing wrong with mixing metals and materials when layering bracelets, as long as the overall appearance complements your outfits.