Hammered Gem Bangle

Cuff Sizing Guide

You may have noticed that there aren’t many traditional clasp bracelets on my site (yet). When it comes to bedazzling wrists, I’m partial to the unique styles of cuffs and bangles. These pieces are ideal for layering and stacking, which happens to be my specialty. For those who are unfamiliar, cuffs are solid metal hoops with an opening that allows for them to be slipped onto the wrist. They can range quite a bit in terms of thickness, from 1/4 inch to three inches!

Many people love cuffs but also get nervous when it comes to buying them online because sizing can be tricky. Other people have even given up on cuffs because they don’t generally find their size in stores. The great thing about my handmade jewelry is that I can offer a lot more options than what’s available from mass-produced retailers. I’m here to help you choose the right size for a comfortable “happy fit” every time.

Measuring Your Wrist

Cuffs should sit snuggly but comfortably between your wrist bone and the base of your hand. The first step to finding your perfect cuff size is to measure your wrist. If you know how thick the cuff you’re purchasing is, take a strip of paper that is the same width and wrap it around your wrist. Make sure the paper is snug - right above your wrist bone. Mark right where the paper overlaps itself, then lay it flat and measure to your mark with a ruler. You can also measure your wrist by wrapping a piece of string around it and measuring the string. (Side note: I do not recommend using string to measure ring sizes!)

Once you have your wrist size, compare it to the chart below to determine your cuff size.

Find Your Happy Fit!

One of the great things about cuffs is that they can be adjusted to fit your wrist perfectly - the first time. When I send out my cuffs, I will leave the opening a bit wide. The first time you put the cuff on, you can squeeze it to adjust to your wrist. Whatever feels most comfortable for you is right! If you’re stacking your cuffs, you may want to leave them a little more open, so they can sit comfortably higher up on your arm. This shouldn’t impact the size of the cuff you order. 

A word of caution: once you find your happy fit, please avoid re-adjusting the cuff by repeatedly opening and closing it or bending it on your wrist. Due to the natural characteristics of sterling silver/metals, prolonged stretching will most likely result in cracking or eventually failure of your piece. Be gentle with your fine jewelry!

Wearing Your Cuff

Rather than repeatedly opening and closing your cuffs, which can lead to breakage, I recommend slipping the opening of the cuff over the side of your wrist, which happens to be the thinnest part. Then, you can twist the cuff to look up or down - it’s completely your choice! To take the cuff off, simply do the same thing in reverse: twist it until you can slip the opening off the thinnest part of your wrist. 

Once you know these basics, choosing the right cuff size is simple. Now, the only thing you have to worry about is which one you want! (If you’re new to cuffs, might I suggest checking out my signature Splash Gem Cuff, worn by the one-and-only Oprah!)

Mix and Stack

Cuff bracelets are perfect for stacking! Combine smaller neutral pieces with big statement pieces. Choose a monotone color palate or complementary colors. And don’t be afraid to mix metals! All of my cuff bracelets are designed to play off each other, so you really can’t go wrong. That said, if you want to know my Four Simple Steps to Stacking, check out my Layering and Stacking Blog. You’ll be a stacking expert in no time! Have fun!