Diamond and Gold Bracelets

Gold chain and diamond bracelets are made to order in the listed colors. House bracelets are one of each, in the showroom.

Wrap a soft tape measure, or a strip of paper you then lay against a ruler, around your wrist just below the wrist bone. Note the number without pulling tight. Then add ease: about half an inch for a snug fit, about an inch for a looser fit, a common rule in jewelers' sizing guides.

Bracelets with a drawstring lock, like the Gold Drawstring Bracelet ($430), adjust to any wrist. The full method is in the bracelet size guide, and Cuban fit is covered in Cuban bracelet sizing.

Thin chain bracelets of 1 to 3 mm stack easily and suit small wrists. Charm and station bracelets add sparkle without width. Baguette and fully set diamond bracelets are wide and solid, meant to be the main piece on the wrist. As a rule, the bigger the wrist, the wider the bracelet can go before it looks heavy. A bracelet should move on the wrist without sliding over the hand.

• Lobster: the most common closure on fine chain bracelets; easy and secure.
• Drawstring or slider: a sliding bead lock that adjusts the size and stays put.
• Box clasp with safety latch: standard on diamond and baguette bracelets. The latch is the backup if the box opens.

Bracelets take more knocks than necklaces, so the clasp matters more here than anywhere.

Gold chain bracelets are 10K gold, 41.7 percent pure and tough. Women's diamond bracelets are 14K, 58.3 percent pure, which holds small stones well. Men's baguette bracelets are 10K. Lab diamond house bracelets come in 10K and 14K, in white, yellow and rose gold. See diamond bracelets for the diamond side.

Wear the bracelet on the same wrist as a watch only if the metals match and the bracelet is slimmer than the watch case; otherwise the two knock against each other. Many people wear the watch on one wrist and the bracelet on the other. The bracelet and watch guide covers widths and metals.

• Curb: flat, twisted oval links that lie close to the wrist; the family the Cuban belongs to.
• Rope and twisted: links wound around each other for texture and shine.
• Paperclip: long, open rectangular links; light and modern.
• Bead: gold beads on a fine chain; easy to stack.
• Charm and station: a fine chain with diamond charms or bezel stations along it.
• Baguette: rows of rectangular step-cut diamonds in a solid gold body; the men's signature line.
• Fully set: diamonds all the way around, like the lab diamond house bracelets.

Starting a collection? A plain gold chain bracelet worn every day is the foundation; a diamond piece comes next for occasions.

Clean gold bracelets with warm water and mild soap. On diamond bracelets, brush behind the stones with a soft toothbrush and check the clasp and settings every few months. Take bracelets off for the gym. Want a matching Cuban or a custom design? See custom bracelets and Cuban link bracelets. Every order ships insured. Try sizes at the showroom at 7900 NW 27th Ave, Unit 506, Miami FL 33147.