Bracelets, especially designer bracelets, are the unsung heroes of the jewelry box. Fashion Week has proven that bracelets can deliver powerful aesthetic impact without pulling focus from the rest of a great outfit. While the rise of tenniscore and statement bangles have brought bracelets closer to the forefront of fashionable accessories, bracelets remain a bit of an accessories afterthought. Still, we think it’s high time to give them the attention they deserve.
If you've never purchased or worn a designer bracelet before, don't fret. The same jewelry rules you’d use for earrings or rings apply to both shopping for and styling bracelets. Investing in designer pieces is the safest bet for your skin and your budget in the long run since low-quality metals could lead to skin allergies, tarnishing, and breakage. That said, you don't have to opt for solid gold 100% of the time. "If you are looking for an heirloom, buy 14K gold," says Paula Rosen, founder and designer of Paula Rosen Jewelry.
If you're ready to invest in the best designer jewelry out there, we’ve scoured the internet for designer bracelets that deliver style and structural longevity in equal measure.
Designer Pearl Bracelets
Pearls bring an air of classic elegance to a look, regardless of how you choose to style them. Whether you love a traditional single pearl strand bracelet moment or gravitate towards stacking pearls with chains and beads, there are a few things you should keep in mind before investing in a designer piece. "Pearls have two grading systems used throughout the industry—the AAA to A system is the most common—and many qualities determine their overall value." Jennie Yoon, CEO and founder of Kinn Studio, tells InStyle. "There's size—the bigger, the rarer, shape—round and symmetrical pearls are generally more prized, color, luster, and surface clarity," she says.
Regarding what to look for when pearl shopping, there are a few key phrases to keep an eye out for, including origin and the A-rating system. "Saltwater pearls are known for being highly lustrous and reflective. Akoya pearls have carried on a long tradition of being the showstopper, known to be the 'high-end' pearls with beautiful luster, but ultimately I think it comes down to preference. What you value, in my opinion, is priceless," says Yoon.
Colorful Designer Bracelets
If you don’t find yourself inspired by white or yellow gold, don’t fret. Precious metals do not a designer bracelet make. You can find the same level of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and heirloom potential in every color of the rainbow thanks to designers who create vibrant bracelets in enamel, colorful leather, glass, and even fine embroidery. When shopping for colorful designer bracelets, we recommend gravitating toward what excites you or choosing shades that complement, without directly matching, the main colors of your wardrobe.
Spotting high-quality, colorful bracelets without rating systems to guide you might seem tricky, but the same rules that apply to precious and semi-precious stones and metals work for materials like resin and enamel. "Shoppers can spot high-quality enamel in jewelry by its brilliance; the color should be beautiful and luminous," says Yvonne Lèon of Yvonne Lèon Designs, who recommends readers keep an eye for that "lit from within" glow.
Designer Cuff Bracelets
Take a page from this year's runway fashion book by wearing statement designer cuff bracelets over thick fall and winter layers. During the Versace Fall/Winter '23 runway show, models wore crystal-spangled cuffs over elbow-length opera gloves. That same season, Luisa Spagnoli added sparkle to knitwear by layering cuffs with coordinating stones over sumptuous cable knit sweaters. Both approaches allow for a showstopping statement cuff moment, no matter how cold it gets outside. If you love the look of a bold cuff but aren't a fan of gold or silver, try an unexpected texture like tortoiseshell or resin.
Designer Charm Bracelets
If you prefer more opulent jewelry moments, have ever been called "extra," and don't have to spend the majority of your work day typing, designer charm bracelets might suit your vibe. Ranging from relatively minimal to truly extravagant, charm bracelets are nothing if not eye-catching, but they can also deliver an extra dose of sentimental meaning, especially if they afford you the option to add charms commemorating special moments or landmark life events.
Designer Tennis Bracelets
One of the most luxurious designer bracelet styles, tennis bracelets deliver maximum luxury with cool and quiet minimalism. One of Yoon's personal favorite investment pieces, tennis bracelets feature precious or semi-precious stones spaced closely across the entire bracelet's length. Yes, they're trending right now, but tennis bracelets are, ultimately, timeless. Often spotted on the wrists of IRL royals as well as celebs with Hollywood royalty status, these traditionally diamond bracelets have an old-money feel about them.
Fortunately, you don't have to have an old money number of zeros in your bank account to get in on the tennis bracelet trend. Designers like Alexander Vauthier have created stunning tennis bracelets with high-quality crystals so you get all the craftsmanship and quality without having to deal with the expense of diamonds.
Designer Chain Bracelets
Chain bracelets are among the easiest to integrate into your existing jewelry collection. When shopping for designer and fine jewelry chain bracelets, we recommend looking for solid gold or silver options to ensure longevity and sturdiness. A solid gold chain can stand up to everyday wear and tear. Start by cracking open your jewelry box to see what chains you already gravitate towards. One option is to shop for closely matching styles to give your accessories a sense of seamlessness, but you can also create cohesion by incorporating bracelets that shrink or magnify the styles in your necklace collection. For example: If you love a thick Cuban or curb chain, try a daintier version. If you adore an ultra-fine link, consider a designer bracelet that magnifies the chain style.
Leather Designer Bracelets
If you're on the hunt for slightly more casual and, in many cases, more affordable, designer bracelets, look no further than a few loops of luxurious leather. No shortage of esteemed fashion houses has paired their visual identity with a few ultra-soft strips of leather, creating a bracelet that's comfortable to wear without forgoing its potential heirloom status.
Diamond Designer Bracelets
Diamond designer bracelets are as timeless as they are a serious investment and we don't blame you if you're not quite ready to leap into the world of diamond jewelry. That said, diamond bracelets come in an exceptionally wide range of styles from tiny pendant bracelets to studded chain designs, with price points that run the gamut from astronomical to surprisingly affordable.
Some designers like Angara offer their styles with a range of differently rated diamonds so you can weigh color and brilliance against your budget, as well as natural and lab-grown options. Regardless of whether you're going for maximum clarity or prefer a bit of color, caring for your diamond designer bracelet should remain consistent. "If you're storing a diamond piece, make sure they're in a pouch or a ziplock bag," advises Yoon. "If you have a small fabric cushion, that would probably be the most ideal place."
Mixed Metal Designer Bracelets
Mixed metal bracelets range from "in-your-face" to super subtle, so you can keep the contrast at whatever level you're more comfortable with. If you see gold and silver jewelry and think "clash" instead of "contrast," we recommend sticking to designer bracelets that cleave closely to one color with an accent clasp or pendant in a different one. Prefer to stand out with a statement piece? You can't go wrong with a bold two-tone cuff.