Bangle Guide

23 May 2024

The Bangle Angle: Your Ultimate Guide to Bangle Styles

In the jewellery world, the word ‘bangle’ refers broadly to the form of a circular rigid bracelet. It is one of the oldest types of jewellery and has been found in ancient Mayan, Mauryan, Roman and Indian ruins and has been worn by men, women and children through the ages.

Popular for all ages and available in styles to suit all tastes and made in different ways with different fastenings. Bangles can be solid or hollow depending on the style, weight and price point required.

Take a look through our guide to understand different types of bangles and which styles our customes have been loving!

1. Slave Bangles

Slave bangles are a continuous unbroken hoop, of sufficient diameter that the hand can be easily slipped through with ease. They can be worn comfortably on their own or layered on the wrist or upper arm. They have a distinct history because it is believed that the word originated from the use of this kind of bangle as a means of exchanging slaves for currency.

These traditional styles comprise our best-selling bracelets. They take on hollow or solid forms and are typically thin and stackable. These can have a variety of patterns and finishes, such as beaten, twisted, or knotted, or they can be classically plain.

2. Russian- the Power of Three

Russian bangles and rings are typically connected to weddings since they feature a three band design, frequently in three colors.

For some the three bands symbolise the Holy Trinity of Christian Orthodox religion, or, for the non-religious, they represent the past, present, and future of the couple. Other meanings for the three bands are faith, hope and charity or mind, body and spirit. The meaning may vary for each wearer but this three band is an iconic style. We offer both three and five ring Russian bangles.

3. Hinged Bangles

With a hinge on one side and sometimes a clasp on the other, a hinged bangle opens up easily to fit across the wrist. A safety chain is included with several of our hinged bangles.

4. Hooked-in Styles

These usually involve a simple hook and loop that is often incorporated as part of the design. The hook feature is both beautiful and practical allowing the strong flexible bangle to be opened up to put on and take off easily.

5. Cuff Bangles

An unfinished loop allows the wrist to be placed through the opening in cuff bangles. Certain cuff styles can be utilized higher up the arm in addition to being used at the wrist.

6. Torc Bangles

Torque bracelets often have a little ball soldered to the ends but they are quite similar to cuff bracelets in that they have an unfinished loop. Sometimes these are fitted by a 'twist' action, or with solid bangles they can be gently opened and squeezed to fit. They are popular amongst both men and women.

7. Bangles in distinctive styles & shapes

Twist, swirls, plaited - dramatic styling to catch the eye.

8. Beaten Bangles

Bracelets become more interesting when they have texture, and their beaten or "hammered" appearance catches the light in an elegant, natural way. Both wide and narrow bangles can benefit from this finish.

H1620 has facets which gives a similar look to the beaten finish but the faceting catches the light with a more obvious glint.

9. Charmed & Pretty

Bangles may be designed with pretty features such as our daisy bangle, and adding charms has become increasingly popular. For traders, these may include products complete with charms or adapting an 'off the shelf' piece by adding a charm to create something new.

10. Stone Bangles

Bangles can be plain or be set with a variety of stones, cz, pearl, amber. Here's a preview of another classic style being added to our bangle collection - H6349.