Gold Bracelets

With no stones, a gold bracelet's price comes from gold weight plus labor. A twisted or rope chain uses more gold per inch than a plain cable of the same width because the links wrap around each other. To compare two bracelets fairly, look at three things: the karat, the gram weight and the construction. 10K gold is 41.7 percent pure gold; 14K is 58.3 percent. A bracelet that seems too cheap for its size is often hollow or plated. The weight chart shows how quickly grams add up as width grows.

Measure just below the wrist bone with a soft tape, then add about half an inch for a snug fit or an inch for a looser one.

Not sure of the size, or buying a gift? The drawstring bracelets slide to fit any wrist. More in the bracelet size guide.

Fine gold bracelets usually close with a lobster clasp, the most common and secure closure on chains this size. Drawstring bracelets use a sliding bead lock that holds its place. Spring rings are smaller and fiddlier on a wrist. Whatever the clasp, check it every so often; it is the part that wears first.

Look for the stamp, usually on the clasp: 10K or 417. The FTC requires gold jewelry to be marked with its true karat, and US stamping rules allow the gold content to fall short of the mark by no more than 3 parts per thousand, or 7 on soldered pieces. A magnet test only screens out obvious fakes; an X-ray test at a jeweler is the reliable check. See how to tell if gold is real, the real Cuban guide and 10K vs 14K.

Fine gold bracelets are the easiest pieces to wear beside a watch, because they are slim and light. Match the metal to the watch, keep the bracelet narrower than the case, and stack two or three fine bracelets together for more presence. The evil eye and cross bracelets add meaning to a stack without adding bulk.

Three pieces make a balanced stack: one textured chain, one smooth chain and one piece with a detail. For example, the rope chain, the paperclip bracelet and the evil eye or cross bracelet. Keep them in one gold color for a clean look, or mix yellow with a two-tone bead bracelet to tie mixed metals together. Add a watch on the same wrist only if it matches the gold.

Fine gold bracelets are also the easiest gift to get right, because the drawstring styles fit everyone.

Gold does not tarnish, but lotion and sweat dull it. Wash in warm water with a drop of mild soap, brush the links with a soft toothbrush and dry with a cloth. The Gold Ball Bracelet with Tag has a tag you can engrave; engraved items are not eligible for returns, so check the spelling. Every order ships insured. Read the gold karat guide, browse all bracelets, or visit the showroom at 7900 NW 27th Ave, Unit 506, Miami FL 33147.