Bangles to cuffs, tennis and charm bracelets, mesh gold with vivid colored stones, the variety of statements available in bracelets is as unlimited as your imagination. In a word, bracelets are fun. You can stack bangles on top of one another for a liberated song of gold chiming on your wrist, create a gemstone album with mementos of life's significant events added to a charm bracelet, or surround your wrist with diamonds in the contemporary classic tennis bracelet. Just remember, because of their placement, bracelets take more abuse than any other piece of jewelry. Therefore, it's always a good idea to check craftsmanship, metal quality, gemstone settings, clasps and hooks before you buy. Then, once every few months, take a couple minutes to check for damage, loose stones, nicked or scratched metal, etc. An ounce of prevention is worth its weight in gold.

Clasp:
Bracelets have more versatility for closure than any other type of jewelry. Fancy gemstones hiding safety latches, tongue in groove mechanisms disappearing in mesh, tiny hooks worked into serpentine wrap-around styles, dramatic cuffs enclose your wrist with strong hinges, and three-quarter cuffs slip around the thin part of your wrist and slide into place. With bracelets, you really can have it all. Always look for quality of craftsmanship, seamless soldering, and secure settings.

Buying tips:

1. Consider your wardrobe. With so many bracelet possibilities, you have to begin somewhere. Business attire may not be best for charm bracelets, just as a wide gold cuff may not work with a petite watch on the other wrist.
2. As you might expect, narrow wrists look best with thin bracelets, while fuller wrists can support the dramatic statement of wider cuffs.
3. Different metals make individual statements. White gold or platinum with diamonds makes an unmistakable entrance of elegance. The softer hues of yellow gold create a warmer glow.