Navigating the world of bracelets isn’t just about selecting a design that catches your eye – it’s about understanding the art of the perfect fit. Ever wondered why that bangle slides a little too freely or why your clasp bracelet feels like a vice around your wrist?
Dive into the nuanced world of bracelet sizing, from the simple household tools you can use to measure your wrist to the distinct differences between bangle and clasp bracelet fittings. Learn the signs of the ideal fit and gain valuable tips for both online and in-store shopping. As you journey through this guide, you’ll be equipped to make choices that not only beautify your wrist but also fit it flawlessly.
What You Need to Measure Your Wrist
Wrist measurement requires few supplies: a flexible measuring tape, or a string and measuring tape or ruler, and a pen. It’s also a good idea to have a few bracelets that you already wear on hand. Are they a comfortable fit? Or do they bother you because they’re too loose or too tight? By simply measuring the length of these bracelets, you can get a good idea of the appropriate measurements of your wrist size (or what size is too big or too small).
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How To Measure Wrist Size
It’s important to measure your wrist with the type of bracelet in mind. This is because a bracelet with a clasp can fit more snugly than a bracelet that you need to slide over your hand to wear, such as a bangle bracelet. If the bracelet you’re looking at has an adjustable clasp or adjustable box chain, there’s no need to measure at all. Here is the simple way to measure your wrist size for two different styles of bracelets:
How To Measure Wrist For Clasp Bracelets
Take your flexible measuring tape or string, or even a strip of paper, and wrap it snugly around your wrist where you would wear a bracelet or watch. If you’re using a measuring tape, take note of the measurement where the end meets the tape. If you’re using a strip or piece of paper, mark the place where it meets with a pen and then measure it against a ruler or tape measure. This will give you an accurate measurement of your wrist circumference.
Add a half of an inch to the measured circumference of your wrist to allow for a comfortable fit and that is how you get the right bracelet size. If, for instance, the circumference of your wrist is 6 inches, your bracelet size would be 6.5 inches. Your bracelet size does have a bit of wiggle room — a quarter-inch bigger or smaller should fit just fine. Depending on where you purchase the bracelet from you may need the wrist measurement in inches or centimeters, so make note of both.
If you want the bracelet to drape slightly over your wrist joint, which is common for a charm bracelet, consider adding a full inch to the size of your wrist or measure around the bone where your wrist and hand meet, and then add half an inch to that circumference to get your bracelet size.
How To Measure Wrist For Bangles
Bangles are different from clasp bracelets in that they need to fit over your entire hand in order to put them on, thus the bracelet sizing is slightly different. Getting a bangle bracelet on and off should require a little force though, as you don’t want them to slip off on their own and leave you less of a bangle. To measure the size of your wrist for a bangle, you’ll want to actually measure the distance around your knuckles.
Touch the tips of your thumb and pinky finger together to make the shape you would if you were slipping on a bracelet. Then, keeping your hand in that shape, wrap the tape measure, string, or piece of paper around the widest part of your knuckles and mark the measurement.
Similar to how you measured your bracelet size for a clasp bracelet, you’ll need to add half an inch to the measurement to get your bracelet size for a bangle. Many bangles are measured by diameter, though, so there is another step you need to take. To calculate the diameter, take the measurement you just calculated (the length around your knuckles plus half an inch) and divide it by pi, or 3.14. For example, if the measurement around your knuckles is 7 inches, you would add half an inch to get 7.5 inches. Then, you would divide that by 3.14 to get 2.39 inches, which is the diameter.
You can also get the diameter by forming the string or tape measure in a perfect circle of the size bangle you need and measuring directly across it from end to end. What’s important to know when shopping for bangles is whether the size is measured by diameter or circumference. With this measuring method, you can determine your bracelet size either way.
How to Tell if a Bracelet is the Right Size
You are the best judge of whether a bracelet is the right size for your wrist. You’re looking for a comfort fit; the bracelet shouldn’t be too loose to the point where it moves up and down your wrist constantly, and it shouldn’t be too tight to the point where it’s pinching your skin or causing you pain. Bangles will naturally move around more than clasp bracelets, which should fit more snugly. Keep in mind if you like to stack your bracelets, the tighter they are, the better they will stay in place, and the looser they are, the more likely they will get tangled.
Best Bracelet For Wrist Size
Now that you know bracelets aren’t one-size-fits-all, you may be wondering how you can find the right bracelet for your wrist size. If you follow the steps above to measure your wrist and determine your bracelet size, you won’t have to worry. When shopping online, the bracelet size or length should be listed on the product page under the description, so you can know instantly whether or not the jewelry piece will work for you.
When shopping in-store, you can simply ask to try on the bracelet to see if it fits; be sure to move your wrist as you normally would to ensure it’s comfortable.
It’s important that a bracelet fits comfortably or you won’t want to wear it at all. This is why it’s critical to purchase a bracelet at least a quarter-inch, but ideally a half-inch, larger than your actual wrist size. If you’re worried about buying a bracelet online that won’t be the right fit, there are plenty of beautiful bracelets with adjustable bands to choose from, such as this 14K gold tennis bracelet. Of course, for certain styles, such as a diamond tennis bracelet, you’ll want to follow the steps above to ensure you get the perfect fit.
For lab diamond jewelry, such as necklaces and earrings, you don’t have to worry about size at all. A combination of all of these fine jewelry pieces is what completes a collection and adds a striking finish to any look.
I am a dedicated professional with over 20 years of experience in the field of jewelry repair and restoration. Born and raised in California, I found my passion for the intricacies of jewelry design at a young age when I had the chance to observe a local craftsman at work. Throughout my career, I have specialized in restoring vintage and antique jewelry pieces, bringing them back to their former glory while maintaining their historical integrity. I regularly contribute articles and opinion pieces to a variety of jewelry-focused websites and magazines, sharing my insights and knowledge about jewelry repair techniques, trends, and the cultural significance of various jewelry pieces.