Women's bracelets: every type explained — chain, charm, bangle & beaded
What types of bracelets are there for women? The five main ones are the chain bracelet, the bangle (open or closed), the charm bracelet, the tennis bracelet and the beaded bracelet. What sets them apart is mostly how they close and how they sit on your wrist: you size a chain bracelet with an extension chain, slide an open bangle on from the side and roll a stretch beaded bracelet over your hand. Below you'll find how to recognise, wear and combine each type, plus a size chart and the pieces that show each style at its best.
The short answer
These are the main types of bracelets for women, and how to recognise them:
- Chain bracelet: interlinked links, from a dainty chain bracelet to bold chunky links. Closes with a lobster clasp and an extension chain.
- Bangle and cuff: a rigid bracelet. A closed bangle slides over your hand; an open bangle (cuff) goes onto your wrist from the side.
- Charm bracelet: a fine bracelet with little pendants, such as hearts, stars or suns.
- Tennis bracelet: one continuous row of stones, the most festive type.
- Beaded bracelet: beads or little metal balls, often on stretch cord with no clasp.
A sliding bracelet isn't a separate style but a type of closure: a slider clasp. We don't carry one right now, but there are good alternatives; read on under adjustable bracelets.
All the steel bracelets in this guide are made of premium stainless steel with a gold- or silver-tone PVD coating: waterproof and hypoallergenic. Want to see everything first? Browse all our bracelets for women.
Types of bracelets at a glance
Torn between two types? Look at the clasp first: it decides how easy the bracelet is to put on and how precisely it fits.
| Type | Clasp | Fit and size | Styling tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain bracelet | Lobster clasp + extension chain | Usually 16–18 cm, plus 3 to 5.5 cm extension | Dainty to stack, chunky to wear solo |
| Bangle (closed) | None; slides over your hand | Fixed size: must fit over your knuckles | Add a dainty chain bracelet for contrast |
| Open bangle or cuff | None; goes on from the side | One size, can be bent very slightly | Ideal as a gift: the size almost always fits |
| Charm bracelet | Lobster clasp + extension chain | Like a chain bracelet | One charm bracelet per wrist gives the charms room |
| Tennis bracelet | Lobster clasp + extension chain, or as a bangle | Best worn snug, so the stones stay on top | Festive, but lovely with a white shirt too |
| Beaded bracelet | Often stretch, no clasp | Rolls over your hand; choose your bead size | Stack two or three bead sizes |
| Stretch bracelet (coil) | Stretch, no clasp | Fits most wrists | A statement without fiddly clasps |
| Sliding bracelet | Slider clasp (sliding bead or knot) | Smoothly adjustable | Not at Lundholm right now; see the alternatives |
The chain bracelet: the classic for women
A chain bracelet is made of interlinked links: little rings, ovals or flat links that together form a supple chain around your wrist. For many women it's the bracelet they wear most often, and for good reason: a dainty chain bracelet goes with a jumper, a blouse and an evening dress, and you can combine it endlessly. Almost every chain bracelet closes with a lobster clasp and has an extension chain, so you can wear it tighter or looser.
The opening photo shows how different two chain bracelets can be: the Iza with braided links and a row of cubic zirconia, and the chunky Madeleine with bold round links. You'll find every style in our chain bracelets for women.
Dainty or chunky chain bracelet?
The biggest difference is the thickness of the links. A dainty chain bracelet has thin links of a few millimetres. It sits lightly on your wrist, almost disappears next to a watch and is the perfect base for stacking. A chunky chain bracelet has wide, sturdy links that are noticed straight away: a statement to wear on its own or with one dainty bracelet at most.
Rule of thumb: if you have a slim wrist or love wearing several bracelets, start dainty. If you want one bracelet that finishes your look, go chunky.
Prefer something bolder? Wear these chunky chain bracelets on their own or with one dainty piece beside them. You'll find the Delphine in silver in the Djärv look and the twisted Clementine in the Vriden look.
Chain types: how to recognise them
Chains have names, and you'll come across them in product descriptions. These are the chain types you'll see most often in women's bracelets:
| Chain type | How to recognise it | Look | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cable (anchor) | Oval links, each turned a quarter turn from the next | Dainty, classic, a basic | Smilla (with daisies) |
| Rolo (jasseron) | Round, slightly domed links | Sturdy, vintage, often chunky | Madeleine |
| Curb (gourmet) | Twisted links that lie flat against each other | Shiny, sits flat on the wrist | The two fine chains of the Madeleine |
| Oval link | Large, open ovals | Statement, modern | Delphine |
| Rope (twisted) | Links that twist around like a rope | Rich, catches the light | Clementine |
| Snake chain | A smooth, flexible tube with no visible links | Sleek and glossy | Danielle |
| Braided | Compact, interwoven links | Luxurious and sturdy | Iza (with cubic zirconia) |
| Ball chain | Little metal balls on a chain | Playful, easy to stack | Oda (three rows) |
How to wear and stack a chain bracelet
A dainty chain bracelet looks best next to your watch or with two other fine bracelets that each have their own texture, such as a ball chain bracelet and a tennis bracelet. A chunky chain is complete on its own; add one dainty bracelet or a slim bangle at most. Keep your chains in one colour, or mix gold and silver on purpose, for instance with one bracelet that has both.
The bangle and the cuff
A bangle is a rigid bracelet that keeps its shape. A closed bangle slides over your hand, so it has to fit just over your knuckles. An open bangle or cuff has an opening: you slide it onto your wrist from the side. That means one size fits almost everyone, which makes an open bangle one of the easiest bracelets to give as a gift.
Where a chain bracelet moves with you, a bangle stays nicely in place. Slim bangles such as the Tindra with three fine bands or the Tammy with a knot are effortless to stack. Wide statement cuffs like the Ondine are best worn solo. Prefer colour? The Nienke is a resin statement bangle in brown, beige or black. See every style in our bangles.
Shop the look
Våg – soft waves
An organic open bangle with a long necklace, wavy stud earrings and a ring with a double wave. Available in gold and silver.
- Runa organic open bangle
- Ava long necklace with open round pendant
- Oona organic open oval studs
- Shelby ring with a double wave
The charm bracelet (and heart bracelets)
A charm bracelet is a fine bracelet with little pendants: the charms. Hearts, stars, suns or shells: every charm can mean something, and that's what makes this type so personal. The charms move when you move, so a charm bracelet feels more playful than a smooth chain.
Heart bracelets are the most popular variation, and one of the loveliest gifts. The Alice with two intertwined hearts is a bestseller in gold and silver; you'll find more in our heart bracelets and in our blog on how to wear heart jewellery. Every style with charms is in our charm bracelets.
Pictured
Lisan – hearts in two layers
Two fine chains with little hearts and beads on a single clasp, 16 + 5 cm. A charm bracelet at its most delicate: sweet with a chunky knit and just as lovely next to a watch.
View the Lisan →
The tennis bracelet
A tennis bracelet is a bracelet with one continuous row of identical stones; ours are cubic zirconia. The name comes from tennis star Chris Evert: during the 1987 US Open her diamond bracelet broke, and she had play stopped until it was found. Ever since, this style has been known as the tennis bracelet.
It's the most luxurious bracelet in this guide and just right for the holidays, a wedding or a dinner. But do wear it during the day too: with a white shirt or a grey jumper, a tennis bracelet instantly makes a simple outfit look chic. Wear it snug if you can, so the stones stay on top of your wrist.
Looking for a complete set? In the Glimt look the Inge is paired in silver with cubic zirconia studs and a necklace with a zirconia pendant. For more sparkle, read our guide to jewellery with stones.
The beaded bracelet
Beaded bracelets are the playful little sister of the chain bracelet. They're made of beads or little metal balls, often strung on stretch cord: then you don't need a clasp and simply roll the bracelet over your hand. Fine metal beads of 4 to 6 mm are perfect for stacking; large beads add colour and volume.
The Yuna is such a stretch beaded bracelet, in gold and silver and in three bead sizes: stack two or three different sizes. Looking for a big bead bracelet? The Helsinki has generous 12 mm beads and a charm. Every style is in our beaded bracelets.
Stacking bracelets: how to combine types
The best thing about all these types? You can combine them. A good bracelet stack has three roles: a base (a bangle or your watch), texture (a chain or beaded bracelet) and an accent (a charm or tennis bracelet). Mix thick and thin, keep it to three to five bracelets per wrist and choose one metal colour, or mix gold and silver on purpose.
Pictured
Smooth and fine: a duo that always works
The smooth Danielle snake chain next to the dainty Alice with intertwined hearts: two textures, one shade of gold. Add the Livan flower studs and you have the Slank goud look.
View the Danielle →For more combinations and a step-by-step plan, read our blog on stacking bracelets. Bracelets that work beautifully together are gathered in our bracelets to stack, and complete head-to-toe outfits are in our looks.
Sliding bracelet or adjustable bracelet: what is it?
A sliding bracelet is a bracelet with a slider clasp. Instead of a lobster clasp, a sliding bead or sliding knot sits on the chain or cord: pull it and the bracelet gets tighter or looser, smoothly and with one hand. You'll often see this on fine chains, tennis bracelets and cord bracelets.
To be honest: we don't have a bracelet with a slider clasp at Lundholm right now. If what you're really after is a bracelet you can size yourself, there are three good alternatives. They work differently from a sliding bracelet, but solve the same problem: a bracelet that fits without fussing over sizes.
- Chain bracelet with an extension chain. You hook the clasp into the link that fits, with 3 to 5.5 cm of play. For example the Brianna (17 + 5 cm), or the Dee (18 + 4 cm) for a slightly larger wrist. Unlike a slider clasp, you choose the length link by link rather than smoothly.
- Stretch bracelet. No clasp: you roll it over your hand. The Avril is a stretch bangle with a coil design, the Yuna a stretch beaded bracelet. You can't adjust them, but the stretch adapts to most wrists.
- Open bangle. No clasp either: you slide it onto your wrist from the side, like the Runa or the Tekla. One size, and it can be bent very slightly.
What bracelet size do you need?
The average woman's wrist measures between 15 and 17 cm. Measure your wrist just above the wrist bone with a soft tape measure, or with a strip of paper that you then hold against a ruler. Add 1.5 to 2 cm for a comfortable bracelet that you can still feel moving.
| Wrist size | Snug (+1 cm) | Comfortable (+1.5 to 2 cm) | Loose (+2.5 to 3 cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 cm | 15 cm | 15.5–16 cm | 16.5–17 cm |
| 15 cm | 16 cm | 16.5–17 cm | 17.5–18 cm |
| 16 cm | 17 cm | 17.5–18 cm | 18.5–19 cm |
| 17 cm | 18 cm | 18.5–19 cm | 19.5–20 cm |
| 18 cm | 19 cm | 19.5–20 cm | 20.5–21 cm |
An extension chain gives you room: a 16 + 5 cm bracelet can be worn at any length between 16 and 21 cm, so it fits almost any wrist. Chunky links and beads take up some space on the inside; add half a centimetre for those. A tennis bracelet, on the other hand, is best worn a little snugger. For a closed bangle, measure your hand rather than your wrist: bring your thumb towards your little finger and measure around the widest part. Unsure, or buying a gift? Choose an open bangle, a stretch bracelet or a bracelet with an extension chain. How to measure your ring size and necklace length is explained in our size guide.
Gold or silver?
Choose the colour of the jewellery you wear most, such as your watch or wedding ring, so everything looks like one whole. Gold tone is warm and especially flatters warm skin tones; silver tone is fresh and cool. Wear both? Then mix them on purpose, for example with the Helia, which has gold and silver in one bracelet. Browse our gold-tone bracelets and silver-tone bracelets, or read gold or silver: which suits me? and how to combine gold and silver.
What are the bracelets made of?
The steel bracelets in this guide are made of premium stainless steel with a gold- or silver-tone PVD coating. They're hypoallergenic, which makes them suitable for most people with sensitive skin. And they're waterproof: you can shower, swim and work out in them. The only exception is faux pearl.
To keep them looking good: put your bracelets on last, after perfume and body lotion, and store bangles and chunky chains apart from fine chains so nothing scratches or tangles. More tips in cleaning jewellery by material.
Shipping and gift wrapping
Order before 3 pm on a working day and we ship your bracelet the same day. You'll find delivery times and shipping costs for your country on our shipping page. Every piece leaves us in a luxury gift box, and when you order from our own webshop you always get a free gift bag. With larger orders, our gift ladder adds free gifts on top (different every month). Looking for a present? Try the Gift Finder.
Frequently asked questions about women's bracelets
What types of bracelets are there for women?
The main types are the chain bracelet, the bangle (closed or open, also called a cuff), the charm bracelet, the tennis bracelet and the beaded bracelet. You will also come across stretch bracelets without a clasp and bracelets with a slider clasp, known as sliding bracelets. They differ mainly in clasp, fit and look.
What is a chain bracelet?
A chain bracelet is made of interlinked links, usually with a lobster clasp and an extension chain. Dainty chains are subtle and easy to stack; chunky chains stand out and are often worn on their own. Well-known chain types are cable, rolo, curb, snake and rope chain.
What is the difference between a dainty and a chunky chain bracelet?
A dainty chain bracelet has thin links of a few millimetres and sits lightly on your wrist: ideal next to a watch or in a stack. A chunky chain bracelet has wide, sturdy links and makes a statement. Pair a chunky chain with one dainty bracelet at most.
What is a sliding bracelet?
A sliding bracelet has a slider clasp: a sliding bead or knot that lets you tighten or loosen the bracelet smoothly, without a lobster clasp. Lundholm does not carry bracelets with a slider clasp at the moment. Alternatives are a chain bracelet with an extension chain, a stretch bracelet or an open bangle.
What is the difference between a bangle and a cuff?
A bangle is a rigid bracelet. A closed bangle slides over your hand, so it has to fit over your knuckles. A cuff or open bangle has an opening and goes onto your wrist from the side, so one size fits almost everyone.
What size bracelet do I need?
Measure your wrist just above the wrist bone and add 1.5 to 2 cm for a comfortable fit. The average woman's wrist is 15 to 17 cm, so a 16 to 18 cm bracelet with an extension chain fits most women. For chunky links and beads, add another half centimetre.
What is a tennis bracelet?
A tennis bracelet is a bracelet with one continuous row of identical stones. The name comes from tennis star Chris Evert, who lost her bracelet during the 1987 US Open and had play stopped to look for it. At Lundholm the stones are cubic zirconia.
How do you stack bracelets?
Start with a base, such as a bangle or your watch, add texture with a chain or beaded bracelet and finish with an accent, such as a charm or tennis bracelet. Mix thick and thin and keep it to three to five bracelets per wrist.
Can you shower and swim with a stainless steel bracelet?
Yes. Bracelets made of premium stainless steel with a PVD coating are waterproof, so you can shower, swim and work out in them. Bracelets with faux pearls are not waterproof; take those off before they get wet.
Which bracelet should you give as a gift if you do not know the size?
Choose an open bangle, a stretch bracelet or a chain bracelet with an extension chain: they fit almost everyone. Every piece leaves us in a luxury gift box, and when you order from our own webshop you always get a free gift bag.
Find the bracelet that suits you
From a dainty chain bracelet to an open bangle: waterproof, hypoallergenic and always in a luxury gift box.
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