Bangle Bracelet

What is the meaning of a bangle bracelet?

These beautiful, eye-catching jewellery pieces adorn the arm and, in some cultures, represent the marital status of a woman. For instance, in India, bangles have a religious significance, with many women wearing specific bangles of different colours to align with the following spiritual meanings: Blue bangles reflect wisdom and tranquillity; black bangles reflect spiritual power; green bangles reflect good fortune; and white bangles represent new beginnings.

Besides cultural meanings, some believe that bangles have acupunctural benefits without penetrating the skin. This works by applying pressure to points on the wrist which, in turn, minimises tension in the body.

What is bangle vs bracelet?

Note that even though bracelets/bangles sit on the wrist, these pieces are not the same types of jewellery. You'll notice that bangles are completely solid and circular or oval in form. These jewellery pieces will typically not have an opening or a clasp you can use to open them; they're a solid band that you can slide over the hand and onto the wrist.

Yet a bracelet is a flexible piece of jewellery. It can move around on the wrist in various directions and is not rigid in form. Bracelets can have clasps that open and close, unlike bangles. They can bend and flex, drape loosely on the wrist, and can feature beads or chain-like elements to aid their movement.

What do bangles symbolise?

Not only do bangles have a religious connotation in various cultures, they can also symbolise prosperity and good fortune. It's also thought that bangles symbolise good health as well as success. In other cultures, such as in West Africa, a bangle can symbolise protection, acting as a protective talisman to keep tribal communities safe.

The depth of their meaning goes beyond adornment, with some bangles improving the wearer's energy or power to take action (known as Kriya Shakti, according to Hindu philosophy). And some of the glass bangles or gold bangles can signify the long and prosperous life of the wearer's husband.

Are stackable bangle bracelets in style?

Among those jewellery lovers who are going for a maximalist look - stackable bangle bracelets are a popular look that won't go out of style. Once incredibly popular in the 1990s and early noughties, the stacked bangle became a look that turned heads and attracted attention. Beaded pieces and metallic bangles were then incredibly popular options.

Skip ahead to the present, and their popularity isn't going anywhere! They offer a bohemian look and vibe that helps you express your personal style. Skinny bangle stacks are now a trendy look, as is incorporating bangles that have different weights and textures such as the molten cuff bangle, which creates a visually appealing style.

How to layer bangles and bracelets

Our bangle experts at Camile and Stone New Zealand suggest that an odd number of bangles can create a visually appealing look and complement a balanced style - so we recommend stacking bangle bracelets with three as a minimum or increase to five, or even seven if you want to go for a bold and sophisticated look.

When layering bangles and bracelets, you're going to want to cover around a third of your forearm, as this will help you avoid creating a cumbersome look or overdoing the style.

We also advise that pearls or beaded bracelets can feature in your stack and make a visual impact. You can layer these in between each bangle for an interesting mix of colour and texture.

How should a bangle fit your wrist?

As a general rule, each bangle you choose should have a space between the wrist and the metal. Our jewellery experts advise that two fingers should fit beneath the bangle, between the metal and your wrist, which indicates the bangle fits you perfectly. This way, it'll fit you comfortably.

Keep in mind that each style of bangle may fit you in a different way. A standard bangle is meant to fit on the slightly looser side, and a cuff bangle is supposed to be slightly snug.

Ideally, when picking a stunning bangle, it's important to measure your wrist or hand. Bracelets that can open will require you to measure the wrist. Bangles, on the other hand, will require you to measure your hand.