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Bracelets are arguably one of the most versatile pieces of jewellery, offering an incredible array of designs to suit every style and occasion. It’s no wonder they remain a perennially popular choice for gifts! Whether crafted from a classic chain link or adorned with intricate details like marcasite, bracelets are incredibly adaptable.
What's more, stacking bracelets is a hugely popular trend right now, perfectly complementing the layered looks seen everywhere. This means you never have to worry about buying a friend or loved one a bracelet if they already own one – the more the merrier when it comes to styling!
At Carathea, we've highlighted some of the most popular bracelet styles available today, including a few that have fallen out of mainstream favour but are sure to make a fashionable comeback, as these things often do.
1. Bangles: Timeless & Elegant
Bangles are rigid, solid types of bracelets designed to be worn loosely on your wrist. While most bangles do not have a clasp and simply slide over your hand, some are hinged for easier putting on and removal. They can be available in a few sizes to ensure a comfortable fit.
Bangles can be crafted from a variety of materials, including precious metals like silver or gold, modern choices like stainless steel, or even wood and resin. Many feature fabulous engraving, intricate openwork designs, or smooth, polished surfaces. Explore our range of bangles to find a style that speaks to you.

2. Cuffs: Bold & Adjustable
Cuffs are a distinct type of rigid bracelet, similar to a bangle but designed with an open section. This allows you to easily slide the bracelet onto your wrist sideways. Often, cuffs can also be gently squeezed or adjusted to ensure a snug and comfortable fit, making them a versatile choice for various wrist sizes.
3. Tennis Bracelet: Sparkling Sophistication
The tennis bracelet is a truly iconic piece of bracelet jewellery, typically crafted in silver or gold. It's characterised by a continuous, symmetrical line of diamonds or other precious gemstones (or high-quality crystals) set closely together along its entire length. These gemstones are usually secured with either a classic claw setting or a smooth, contemporary bezel (rub-over) setting.
The charming name "tennis bracelet" has a famous anecdote attached to it, which you can read all about in our dedicated blog on Tennis Bracelets. Discover Carathea's elegant tennis bracelets collection, perfect for adding a touch of everyday sparkle.
Silver & Zirconia Tennis Bracelet
4. Bead Bracelets: Simple & Charming
A bead bracelet is a straightforward yet versatile design featuring a string of individual beads, which can be made from gemstones, crystals, glass, or metal, threaded onto a durable string or wire. These bracelets are often loved for their natural textures and colours, offering an effortless way to add interest to your wrist.
5. Charm Bracelets: Personal Stories on Your Wrist
Charm bracelets are perennial favourites, made up of a series of links from which you can hang individual charms. Each charm typically holds special significance to the wearer, often given as gifts to commemorate a significant birthday, travel, or a cherished life occasion. Traditionally, charm bracelets were secured with a padlock and a safety chain, though modern designs often feature a more conventional bracelet clasp. Start building your personal story with our beautiful charm bracelets.
6. Shamballa Bracelets: Boho-Chic & Unique
A unique hybrid, the Shamballa bracelet combines elements of a bead bracelet with a slider mechanism. These distinctive bracelets feature crystal-set or gemstone balls, held together by intricately woven silk or cotton thread. Hugely popular in the mid-2010s, Shamballa bracelets are recognisable by their beaded sections and adjustable slider and toggle clasp, offering a relaxed yet stylish look.
7. Friendship Bracelets: A Token of Connection
Friendship bracelets are traditionally crafted from multi-coloured woven string, designed to be given as a heartfelt symbol of connection. The beauty of these bracelets lies in the thoughtful idea that the maker thinks of their friend throughout the creative process, resulting in a unique, personalised token of affection.
8. Slider Bracelets: Adjustable & Versatile
Sometimes referred to simply as a friendship bracelet due to their adjustable nature, slider bracelets feature a decorative beaded or stone-set section at the front. The ends of the bracelet are then adjusted via a sliding toggle, allowing for a perfect, custom fit on any wrist.
9. Pearl Bracelets: Classic Elegance
While technically a type of bead bracelet, the pearl bracelet deserves its own special mention for its timeless elegance. Traditionally, a "string of pearls" – whether a necklace or a bracelet – was created by individually knotting the string between each pearl. This differentiates them from standard bead bracelets where beads slide freely. Today, many modern pearl bracelets are crafted like bead bracelets, though the knotted style remains a mark of classic quality. Explore our classic pearl bracelets to add timeless sophistication to your look.
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10. Charm Bead Bracelets: Modern Collectables
Pioneered by companies like Trollbeads, charm bead bracelets represent a modern evolution of the classic charm bracelet. Instead of hanging charms, these systems feature individual beads (the modern "charm") crafted from molten glass or precious metals. These barrel-shaped or rounded beads, often with an inner silver or gold core, can be intricately patterned, particularly the stunning glass beads created using a technique called "lampworking." These systems allow wearers to create unique, personalised beaded bracelets.
11. Link Bracelets: Versatile Chains
Just like different chain link necklaces, link bracelets are created from a variety of distinct chain styles. Popular choices include the versatile curb link bracelet, available in various weights and metals. These bracelets offer a classic foundation for any wrist stack or can be worn elegantly on their own. Discover Carathea's range of link bracelets that offer both style and durability.
12. T-Bar Bracelets: Secure & Decorative
A T-bar bracelet, sometimes called a toggle bracelet, fastens with a distinctive T-shaped metal clasp that slides securely into an open ring. This clasp not only provides a reliable closure but also adds a decorative element to the bracelet's design, often becoming a focal point itself.
13. Leather Bracelets: Casual Cool
Offering a distinctly casual yet on-trend aesthetic, leather bracelets come in a variety of styles, from flat bands to plaited designs, and in numerous colours. They are perfect for adding an edgy or relaxed touch to your everyday wear. Many men's bracelets are found in leather.
14. Watch Strap Bracelets: Unique Flat Styles
A watch strap bracelet offers a unique, flatter style that often fits more closely to the wrist than other bracelets. This design provides a slightly different aesthetic, mimicking the comfort and secure fit of a traditional watch strap while serving purely as a decorative bracelet.

15. Expandable Bracelets: Growing with You
Expandable bracelets gained fame as ideal Christening gifts, designed to grow with a child. However, this clever design has been adapted for adults too. These bracelets are perfect for those whose wrists may swell or contract throughout the day, offering comfortable flexibility. Many variations exist, including expanding bangles and linked designs often used for practical items like SOS Medical ID bracelets.
16. Wrap Bracelets: Multi-Strand Statement
A wrap bracelet (or wrap-around bracelet) is a stylish piece made of multiple strands, either in fabric, beads, or precious metals, that wraps around your wrist, typically two or even three times. These multi-strand designs create a layered statement piece with minimal effort.
The Best of the Rest: Vintage Comebacks in Waiting...
While the following bracelet styles may have faded from mainstream trends, they remain highly sought after in antique and vintage stores. We're confident it won't be long before these beautiful designs experience a revival and once again grace high street windows!
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Gate Bracelet: Hugely popular in the 1970s, gate bracelets feature wide, intricate links designed to resemble, you guessed it, a gate. Often crafted in silver or gold, they frequently included a decorative padlock clasp and a safety chain, adding to their charming, secure appeal.
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Albertine Bracelet: Popular in the 1800s, Albertine bracelets were originally designed to hold pocket watches. While not current mainstream fashion, antique Albertine bracelets (or Albertina bracelets as they are often called) are highly prized. Their distinctive style often features decorative tassels and is beautifully set off by a T-bar clasp. With a growing popularity in both men’s pocket watches and ladies' pocket watches, we believe the Albertine bracelet may soon make a well-deserved comeback.
We hope you've found plenty here to whet your appetite for your next bracelet style! Remember, mixing and matching different types of bracelets is an excellent way to create a unique and personalised look. Explore Carathea's diverse collection of bracelets today and find your perfect wrist adornment.
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