Are you struggling to make your bracelet fit perfectly? Check out these 5 best sizing tips.
Making a bracelet is a fun jewelry project to tackle. Whatever design you choose to make, of course, you’ll want your bracelet to fit perfectly when it’s complete.
You may find yourself in a bit of a Goldilocks situation. Make the piece too short and you won’t be able to put it on. Make it too long and it may just fall off your hand. You want the bracelet length to be just right.
Bracelet sizing is important to ensure you get the best fit possible. Below are some tips and tricks you should use to determine the bracelet measurements you need to use.
Check out the most popular types of bracelets.
5 Tips To Get The Best Bracelet Fit
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1. What Fit Do You Prefer?
Some people like their bracelets to fit loosely. They don’t want them to be too tight on the wrist. Obviously, if this is the look you’re trying to achieve, then you’ll need to make your bracelets a bit longer.
So, your first step is to determine where you want the bracelet to sit on your hand.
2. Measure
To make a bracelet fit really well, get an accurate measurement of your wrist size. Here’s a guide showing how to measure your wrist for a bracelet or a bangle. That article includes a handy bracelet size chart too.
Your wrist size is the minimum length you should make your bracelet. You’ll likely want to add a half inch or more to get a comfortable fit.
3. How Long Is The Clasp?
Now that you know your wrist size, you’ll need to take the length of the clasp you’re attaching to the bracelet into consideration.
Some types of jewelry clasps especially toggle clasps, can be quite large. Before making a bracelet, select the clasp you want to use. Subtract the length of that clasp from the total length of your finished bracelet. The final number will be the length you need to make your bracelet so it’s not too long after adding the clasp.
4. Make The Bracelet Length Adjustable
You may not always know the bracelet size you need to make. This is very common if you’re making jewelry for someone else or selling your handmade creations.
The average bracelet size for women is around 7 inches with the standard bracelet length ranging from 6.5 inches to 7.5 inches. Meanwhile, the average men’s bracelet size is 8 inches with the standard bracelet size running from 7.5 to 9 inches.
However, wrist sizes can vary and you’ll find people with small wrists and those with wrists that are much larger than average. To accommodate for multiple wrist sizes, make your clasp adjustable.
This is easy to do by using a sliding knot for cord bracelets. Here’s a video showing how to make a sliding knot for a simple beaded leather cord bracelet:
Alternatively, add a bracelet extender to the opposite end of a bracelet with a lobster clasp. An extender is simply a piece of chain that the wearer can hook the clasp into, increasing or decreasing the length as needed.
Another option is to avoid using a clasp at all and create stretchy or memory bracelets.
5. Are You Using Chunky Beads?
If you’re using chunky beads to make your bracelet, you may need to make the finished piece longer than usual. This is because the beads are going to make the inner diameter of the bracelet smaller.
The easiest way to measure your bracelet is to a bracelet measurement tool e.g. a mandrel. If you don’t have a bracelet sizer, do the following:
- Cut a piece of cardstock or paper that’s the length of your wrist size.
- Fold it into a circle so the short ends meet and secure with tape.
- Use this as a guide for how big the inner diameter of your bracelet needs to be.
Nothing’s more annoying that completing a bracelet only to realize it’s too short or falling off. Use these five tips to achieve the perfect bracelet fit.
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