Bracelet Sizing Guide: Measure Your Wrist

Wrap a soft tape measure around your wrist just below the wrist bone, where a bracelet would naturally sit, and note the measurement in centimetres. If you do not have a soft tape, use a strip of paper or string: wrap it around, mark where it overlaps, then lay it flat against a ruler to read the length. Keep the tape snug but not tight, so you are measuring your actual wrist rather than a compressed one. That wrist number is your starting point, and you then add a little room for comfort to get the finished bracelet length. Wrists can swell slightly in heat or later in the day, so if you are between readings, take the larger one. If you would rather be sure, come into our Coquitlam studio and we will measure you properly.

For a comfortable, everyday chain bracelet, add about 1.5 to 2 centimetres to your wrist measurement. That gives the bracelet enough room to move and drape naturally without sliding off over your hand or feeling tight. If you like a snug fit that stays put, add closer to one centimetre, and if you prefer a loose, draping look, add two to three. The right amount also depends on the style: a fine chain can sit closer, while a chunkier bracelet often feels better with a touch more room. Remember that a bracelet needs to pass over the widest part of your hand to go on, so extremely snug fits can be awkward. When in doubt, we can size a bracelet on your wrist in the studio and adjust the length so it sits just right.

Bangles are sized differently from chain bracelets because a solid bangle has to slide over your hand, not fasten around your wrist. To size one, tuck your thumb in toward your palm as if putting the bangle on, then measure around the widest part of your hand across the knuckles, including the tucked thumb. That measurement, not your wrist size, determines the bangle you need, since it must clear your hand to go on and then rest on the wrist. If your hand measurement sits between standard bangle sizes, choose the larger one so it passes over comfortably. Hinged or clasped bangles are an option if your hand is much wider than your wrist, as they open to fit. Bring your hand measurement to our Coquitlam studio and we will help you find or make the right size.

There are a few easy fixes, so being between sizes is rarely a problem. Many chain bracelets come with an extender chain or a sliding clasp that lets one bracelet fit a range of wrist sizes, which is the simplest solution. If a bracelet is a fixed length, a jeweller can add or remove links to fine-tune the fit, and we do this regularly in our studio. For a bracelet you love that sits just a little loose, a smaller clasp position or a shortening of the chain can bring it in. And if nothing off the shelf fits comfortably, we can make a bracelet to your exact measurement on site. Bring the piece and your wrist measurement to our Coquitlam studio and we will talk through the best option for that particular bracelet.

Yes, adjusting bracelet length is routine work for us. For a chain bracelet we can add links to make it longer or remove links to bring it in, and for many styles we can reposition or change the clasp to fine-tune the fit. Bring the bracelet to our Coquitlam studio and we will measure your wrist, see how the piece sits, and recommend the smallest change that gives you a comfortable, secure fit. If the bracelet is a solid bangle, sizing options are more limited by the design, but we can often still help or suggest an alternative. And if you cannot find a length that works, we make bracelets to order on site, so we can create one to your exact measurement. Either way, we will make sure it sits well and fastens securely before you leave.