What is the difference between a bangle and a bracelet?

For those not in the jewellery trade, the lingo can get a little confusing. There are odd sounding terms like filigree, vermeil, concepts like the 4’cs, and parts of jewellery, like the shank or the shoulder, that sound more at home in an anatomy lesson. It’s easy to get in a muddle.

Something that seems to cause some confusion is the difference between a bangle and a bracelet. To many, these terms might seem interchangeable. But to a jeweler, they have a specific meaning. So to answer the question, we will explain what a bracelet is and what a bangle is, and we’ll also include our favourite pieces in both styles to help illustrate the difference between these two popular types of jewellery.

What is a bracelet?

A bracelet is a flexible piece of jewellery worn on the wrist. Bracelets can be made of all manner of materials including textiles, strings of beads, chains, and precious metals like gold and silver, fashioned into links.

They typically require some form of clasp or fastener and are taken on or off by opening or closing this feature.

What is a bangle?

A bangle is a rigid circular or oval shaped piece of jewellery, typically made to be worn on the wrist. Most bangles are crafted in metal, but they can be made of other rigid materials like wood, plastic or even glass. The term bangle is thought to come from the Hindi word " bungri" which means glass.

They traditionally do not have clasp closures but are taken on and off either over the hand or at an angle off the wrist if they are made with a small gap in a torc or cuff style. Torc style bangles have a long history in Ireland, with spectacular items, thousands of years old, on display at the National Museum. And despite their ancient origins, they are only growing in popularity. Bangles, whether big and bold or airy and elegant, have been some of the most popular accessories for 2023 with no signs of slowing down!

So what is the difference between a bangle and a bracelet?

The crucial difference between bangles and bracelets is rigidity. Bangles are rigid, with limited or no bend in them. Bracelets are flexible and can bend and move in many directions. Both are items of jewellery worn on the wrist. Both can be made from a variety of materials. But they are different in this one key feature.

And it is this difference in structure that also means they are taken on and off in a different way and feel quite different when worn. Bracelets use a clasp and bangles are slipped over the wrist or hand. Bracelets conform to the shape of the wrist while bangles typically slide up and down the wrist, keeping their shape.