The 16 Best Bracelets to Shop in 2024

When it comes to shopping for bracelets, Cartier’s love bracelet may be the first thing that pops into your mind, immediately followed by its big price tag. While the iconic piece is certainly a stunner worthy of decade-long admiration, we promise there are plenty of other eye-catching bracelets for a small fraction of the French retailer’s. In a world where earrings and necklaces feel like the bread and butter of accessories, some would say bracelets are an important seasoning that gives your outfit its flavor. That’s why it’s vital to pick a piece that you yourself can love and feel proud to wear every day.

We’ve enlisted the help of a few stylists to call out their favorites right now — which range in color, metal, style, and price point. They spoke to us about current trends, how to build a collection of jewelry staples, and the best ways to keep jewelry from clashing. Of course, there isn’t a one-for-all rule when it comes to bracelets, be they a lifetime treasure to wear every day or a quirky beaded bracelet reminiscent of your childhood summer camp. Shop your best fit, below.

Best Overall

Maya Brenner Overboard Bracelet

Maya Brenner

What We Love: The solid gold chain never tarnishes and can be worn in water as well. 

What We Don’t Love: It’s only offered in one length.

There’s no need to take this Maya Brenner bracelet off — not for showers and not for sports. It’s a dainty bracelet on a solid gold chain, and it doesn’t tarnish in the face of water and sweat. The slim piece measures 2.5 millimeters wide, which is just thick enough to sparkle without being overpowering. Basically, it matches just about anything, making it great for everyday wear. The link chain design is also classic, representing elegance and strength. It’s only offered in one size, but the 7-inch length should fit most wrists.

Material: 14-karat yellow gold | Size: 7 inches | Colors: 1

Best Budget

Ottoman Hands Hazel Chain Bracelet

Ottoman Hands

What We Love: The ’70s-inspired style never fails to look sophisticated. 

What We Don’t Love: The base material is brass, and without proper care, it will tarnish.

Those who are nostalgic for the 1970s will appreciate this vintage-inspired bracelet that features a foldover clasp and dainty rice grain chain. And while most options on this list use either 14-karat or 18-karat gold, this one utilizes 21-karat gold. Still, it’s gold-plated recycled brass, which is known to tarnish over time and leave a greenish residue on the skin once the plating weathers off. While gold will do a better job at protecting the brass for a longer time, you’ll still want to remove the jewelry before going to bed or showering.

Material: 21-karat gold-plated recycled brass | Size: 7 inches | Colors: 1

Best Fine Jewelry

Jennifer Fisher Charm Bracelet

Jenna Fisher

What We Love: You can add charms along the bracelet.

What We Don’t Love: The price changes drastically depending on the color you choose. 

If you’re going to splurge on an item, make sure it stands the test of time in terms of both material and style. This bracelet from fine jewelry brand Jennifer Fisher checks off both of those boxes. Made of 14-karat gold, the link chain bracelet won’t tarnish through the years nor will the classic style clash with anything you wear. You even have the option of adding the little charms you collect through the years on each hoop which represent the story of your adventures through the years. Just be aware that while there are options for white and rose in addition to yellow gold, the price increases by $100 and $200 respectively.

Material: 14-karat gold | Size: 7 inches | Colors: 3

Best for Everyday

Ana Luisa Carter Diamond

Ana Luisa

What We Love: The band is on a sliding scale and can be perfectly adjusted around the wrist. 

What We Don’t Love: You’ll still want to take it off before hopping in the shower.

Something that you wear on your wrist every day needs to be clash-proof with your outfits and other jewelry. This subtle and small accessory is mostly made up of a rippled black adjustable band, and as we all know, black goes with everything. To give it a little pizzazz, however, at the center, you’ll find a real lab-grown diamond wrapped in some 14-karat gold-plated sterling silver. It’s small, dainty, and easy to slide on and off for when you hop in the shower (which by the way, you absolutely should be considering the material it’s made of). Finding something that’s made of a diamond and 14-karat gold-plated sterling silver that’s under $100 is a rarity. 

Material: 14-karat gold plated sterling silver, diamonds, nylon | Size: Adjustable | Colors: 2

Best Friendship

Catbird Candy Chain Bracelet

Catbird

What We Love: The recycled solid gold won’t fade, much like your friendship.

What We Don’t Love: There are only four color options.

Grab three of your best friends and get each one a matching friendship bracelet from Catbird. This dainty little piece offers a simple chain speckled with colored beads. One can have the blue version, another the green, one the orange, and another the black. Made of 100 percent recycled 14-karat gold, the chain won't easily fade or tarnish, much like your friendship. It’s a cute and subtle way to seal the squad and have something in common (aside from your humor and stellar personalities) that you can all share. Catbird even offers the chain in two sizes, a 6- to 7-inch option and a 7- to 8-inch length. If your group is larger than four people, you’ll be out of luck, as it only comes in these four colors.

Material: Recycled solid 14-karat gold | Size: 6–7 inch, 7–8 inch | Colors: 4

Best Designer

Dior Petit CD Bracelet

Dior

What We Love: It has a quiet luxury appeal.

What We Don’t Love: It’s not made of solid gold.

We love this Dior piece because while it’s a dainty yet eye-catching bracelet, it’s not yelling “designer.” It holds a certain quiet luxury appeal to it, as it only features a gold chain, a white pearl (also available in black pearl), Christian Dior’s initials, and a simple dangly pendant. And while it looks subtle and beautiful on its own, it also serves as a great stackable piece. Combine it with a few chunky bracelets to recreate Dior’s iconic wrist look. For a luxury piece, we’re surprised to see that it’s not made of solid gold. Instead, the gold-finish metal will require some TLC to maintain its pristine appearance.

Material: Gold-finish metal, resin-pearl | Size: 6.5–7.5 inches | Colors: 2

Best Bangle

Monica Vinader Siren Muse Bangle Set

Monica Vinader

What We Love: It comes in four sizes.

What We Don’t Love: If you want more than three pieces, you have to add a new set to your cart. 

Is there a bracelet more classic than the bangle? There are so many variations of the style and ways to stack them, so if you’re just looking for a place to start, we suggest starting with a simple, pre-arranged set for ease of wear.

Enter this hammered metal set of three by Monica Vinader. The design is delicate but impactful, visually and fundamentally, too, given that it’s made from 100 percent recycled sterling silver. We love that shoppers can also choose to pare down the stack to two or even purchase one to match a more custom bracelet arrangement already in their collection.

Material: Recycled sterling silver | Size: S–XL | Colors: 1

Best Beaded

Baublebar Gianna Bracelet

Baublebar

What We Love: It comes in a variety of colors, including a rainbow-themed one.

What We Don’t Love: The stretch closure has no adjustable clasps, and it only comes in one size

Beaded bracelets are having a huge comeback from their glory days in the early aughts. This colorful piece is a conversation starter, and if you’re interested in riding trends, then there’s no better option than this stretchy one from Baublebar. On top of the multicolor options, there's also several solids, including pink, blue, and gold. They're great for stacking, and they add a pop of color to your look.

Material: Semi-precious stone, acrylic, gold plated brass | Size: 6.25 inches | Colors: 6

Best Leather

Hermès Glenan Bracelet

Hermès

What We Love: The calfskin leather is extra soft and comfortable on the wrist. 

What We Don’t Love: The closure doesn’t seem all too secure.

We know there are some leather fans here, so allow us to introduce you to this fine piece of jewelry: the Hermès Glenan Bracelet. Made of soft calfskin leather and gold-plated accents, the seemingly minimalist piece makes an elegant statement. It’s the ultimate if-you-know-you-know piece, as the iconic clasp shape is a signature of the designer. Still, it doesn’t look like the most secure of clasps, particularly if you compare it to the double-locking closure from the diamond tennis bracelet you’re about to read about, below. If you feel confident in your ability to keep the piece safe and secure, go ahead and treat yourself to this beauty.

Material: Calfskin leather | Size: 5.7–6.5 inches | Colors: 5

Best Tennis Bracelet

James Allen Diamond Tennis Bracelet

James Allen

What We Love: The clasp feels very secure. 

What We Don’t Love: The price difference between the material options is wide.

Tennis bracelets are all the rage right now. Combined with the lab-grown diamond trend, it’s much easier to frost your wrist with diamonds these days — and I mean, who can resist? James Allen lets you choose your diamond size from one to 10 karats with this piece, so you can make it as dainty or as splashy as you desire. You can even pick various colors and materials for the chain like white gold or rose gold. Of course, all these customizations will change the price of the item pretty dramatically. And, there’s a double clasp (clip in and then fold over a lock) to keep it from accidentally falling off or anyone snatching it.

Material: 14-karat white gold, lab-grown diamonds | Size: 7 inches with re-sizing available for a fee | Colors: 4

Best Pearl

Mejuri Mini Pearl Satellite Bracelet

Mejuri

What We Love: 18-karat gold on sterling silver will hold up well for the coming years. 

What We Don’t Love: For anyone who is vegan, these fresh-water mussel pearls will not bode well with their lifestyle. 

Pearls are another one of those classic accessories that always look elegant and never go out of style. These ones from Mejuri are indeed real, farmed from oysters and fresh-water mussels. And while such gemstones typically come with a high price tag, Mejuri makes them more attainable for the everyday consumer with attractive pricing. The five pearls sit on an 18-karat solid gold on sterling silver chain. This will weather everyday conditions better than your average gold-on-brass material, but we still recommend taking good care of this bracelet as pearls and sterling silver aren’t foolproof to tarnishing.

Material: 18-karat gold plated sterling silver, fresh-water mussel pearls | Size: 6–7, 7–8 inches | Colors: 1

Best Cuff

Missoma Double Cuff Bracelet

Missoma

What We Love: The style is unique yet simple, making it elegant enough for special events and casual enough for everyday wear. 

What We Don’t Love: It may be difficult to slip into the bracelet.

This cuff isn’t like any other cuff — it’s got a double band with a twisted knot at the center. The style is equal amounts unique and simple, making it easy to wear to both upscale and casual outings. Made of 18-karat vermeil gold-plated brass, the shiny piece can handle a fair amount of wear without losing its pristine condition. You have to slip your wrist in, which can be slightly challenging without any clasps or adjustable features. But that’s just the nature of a cuff, unfortunately, and the elegant style is worth the bit of trouble to put on.

Material: 18-karat gold on recycled brass | Size: S/M, M/L | Colors: 1

Best Personalized

Monica Vinader ID Oval Charm Adjustable Bracelet

Monica Vinader

What We Love: The engraving comes complimentary.

What We Don’t Love: Once engraved, all sales are final.

This engravable charm bracelet from Monica Vinader deserves a spot on your wrist. You can customize the little pendant with an engraving, which, by the way, comes complimentary as part of the bracelet. While many personalized jewelry only offer one font and a few letters to add, this one can even add emojis, and adjust the font style and size so long as it fits into the designated space. Constellations, zodiac signs, zodiac animals, and even Chinese New Year symbols are offered as well, which is far more than we have ever seen on another brand.

Once you have your significant other’s/mom’s/dog’s name beautifully engraved, you can carry it with you wherever you go. Just be very confident in your selection and spelling as all customized pieces will be final sale.

Material: 18-karat gold vermeil | Size: S/M–M/L | Colors: 1

Best Charm

Missoma Harris Reed in Good Hands Charm Bracelet

Missoma

What We Love: The hand charms throughout the bracelet offer an eclectic feel.

What We Don’t Love: It could quickly become an expensive hobby as you collect more charms.

Adding charms to your arm candy can be a cute way to commemorate some of your adventures through life or simply pay tribute to the things you adore. The design is a curb link chain bracelet with a pearl- and onyx-encrusted hand emblem on repeat. You can then select a few charms from the site to clip onto the bracelet as well. It’s a fun way to personalize your jewelry without going the engraving route, but could quickly become an expensive hobby!

Material: 18-karat gold plated brass | Size: S/M–M/L | Colors: 1

Best Mesh

Monica Vinader Heirloom Woven Wide Chain Bracelet

Nordstrom

What We Love: It has an old-school glamor appeal to it. 

What We Don’t Love: Mesh has a tendency to pinch the little hairs on your arm at times.

Inspired by vintage Italian glamor, this mesh bracelet makes an elegant statement on the wrist. It’s dainty but still substantial, and its simple design makes it easy to wear on the regular. It’s about a quarter of an inch thick and has a circumference of 7.5 inches (6.6 inches inner circumference) with no adjustable features, so make sure this sizing is suitable for you. While we personally adore the woven chain design, we’re also well aware that these links sometimes pinch the hair on your skin and feel a little uncomfortable. 

Material: 18-karat gold plated recycled sterling silver | Size: 7.5 inches | Colors: 1

Best Birthstone

Missoma Birthstone Chain Bracelet

Missoma

What We Love: The unique material makes it last longer and look more high-end than standard gold-plated jewelry. 

What We Don’t Love: According to the reviews, the chain is slightly thinner in real life than pictured.

If you want something a little personal without taking the customization route, a birthstone bracelet might offer enough individuality. Missoma lists out which gemstone matches your birth month, so you can easily select the “color” that corresponds with yours. The tiny gem is secured by an 18-karat recycled gold-plated vermeil on a recycled silver chain, which in simple terms means that there is a thicker layer of gold added to the base silver material. In other words, it will last longer than gold-plated brass, allowing you to enjoy the piece without it breaking down on you immediately. One thing reviewers have claimed, however, is that the chain is thinner and daintier looking in real life than pictured.

Material: 18-karat recycled gold plated vermeil on recycled sterling silver | Size: S/M, M/L | Colors: 12

What to Keep in Mind

• Material: If you’re going for a piece you hope to wear every day and never take off, then opt for the most durable option: solid gold. Pieces like the Maya Brenner Overboard Bracelet will never tarnish and require very low maintenance. If it’s merely about the look, however, stylist Elisabeth Kassab reminds us that “the purer the gold, the bronzer it will look. The less karats, the more yellow.” You can have items that are gold-plated over another material, like brass or sterling silver. Mejuri and Missoma pride themselves in offering thick 18-karat coating which will last longer and feel more durable. Sterling silver, like in the Monica Vinader Siren Muse Bangle Set, is a fantastic silver option recommended by Kassab as well. While it’s not immune to tarnishing, with the proper care it will last a lifetime and stay strong through the years.

• Care: If solid gold is out of the budget for the moment, then there are plenty of other beautiful alternatives to shop. However, such alternatives require a little more tender love and care if you hope to maintain the quality and extend their lifespan. Remove all gold-plated jewelry, like the options from Missoma and Mejuri, from your arm before engaging in any physical activity, showering, or swimming. When not in use, make sure to store them in jewelry boxes to keep them away from bright lights and dust. It also helps them from getting tangled with other jewelry. Kassab also recommends this polishing solution from Connoisseurs. “It comes with a gold and silver solution to cover any bracelet you have, and you can apply it whenever they start to look dull.”

Your Questions, Answered

What is the best gold for a bracelet?

There are a few factors to consider when picking your piece, as not all gold is made equal. As the name suggests, gold-plated is not solid gold. It’s a layer of gold coating on another material, like brass or sterling silver, which can tarnish over time. Solid gold on the other hand will maintain its pristine condition through the years — now it’s up to you if you want 14-karat, 18-karat, or the more elusive 21-karat. Karat refers to a percentage of the pure gold in a piece of jewelry, with 24k representing 100 percent. Unfortunately, pure gold is not rock-solid or durable. It can mend and break easily, which is why long-lasting jewelry blends in other materials to create 14-karat and 18-karat golds. These are stronger and thereby more suitable for everyday wear. 

What hand is best for bracelets?

Ultimately, this is up to you, but there are a few things to consider based on the advice of enthusiasts and experts. For example, Associate Fashion Commerce Editor Hayley Prokos makes it a habit never to stack chunky jewelry (or any jewelry, for that matter) on the same wrist that she wears her watch for fear that the pieces will scratch it. The case is similar for those who are right-handed — substantial wrist jewelry is typically worn on the left, too, so that it doesn’t get in the way or cause undue friction when grabbing top-shelf items or using a mouse, to make a couple of examples.

How do I stack or layer bracelets?

Much like necklaces, bracelets can be stacked and styled in a similar manner. Los Angeles-based stylist Alayna Licardi says that “dainty bracelets where you layer multiple at a time” are a chic way to add a little sparkle to your arm. If you’re looking to stack a few pieces or keep them from clashing with your other jewelry or accessory, such as an Apple watch band, Licardi recommends identifying "which piece is the statement." The rest, she says, "are just filling in the blanks.”

Kassab, who calls out the return chunky bracelets, says everything from bangle set to thick link bracelets can be stacked on top of each other as a set. And if you want to follow Prokos’ lead, make your watch as a stand-alone piece and then stack your bracelets on the other arm.

Why Shop With Us

Bianca Kratky is a commerce writer at InStyle with over three years of experience covering fashion and beauty. She's always wearing several pieces of jewelry at a time and well-versed in the accessory industry, keeping her finger on the trend pulse at all times. To write this article, she consulted stylists Alayna Licardi and Elisabeth Kassab about what to look for when shopping for bracelets.

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