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Daily Wire Tip Nov. 21: What`s the Average Size for Bracelets?

By on November 21, 2009
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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
November 21, 2009

Question:

What would be an average size bracelet?  If I were making bracelets for a future show, would I need a variety of sizes and what would they be?

Answer:

During the year, I agree that it is important to create ‘regular stock’ items for our jewelry show inventory. Bracelets are always a popular item that is purchased both as a gift and as a personal accessory. Every jeweler has his or her own ‘magic number’ as far as how many to have on hand and in which sizes. My personal inventory contains small, medium, regular and large (as I think the term ‘extra large’ can be demeaning). These sizes, measured end-to-end are: Small = 6 ½ inches, Medium = 7 inches, Regular = 7 ½ inches, and Large = 8 inches. The numbers of each size that I personally try to have on-hand are: Small – 5, Medium – 5, Regular – 8 and Large – 4. Then, think about the different styles you enjoy making and if like me you regularly create 5 different styles, you have a lot of bracelets for customers to choose from! Of course there are always the one or two bracelets you make that were not figured correctly and you end up with a 5-½ inch bracelet, which always sells too, because there is usually a lady with a very small bone structure who is thrilled to find that you handcrafted a bracelet ‘just for her’! This is one of the wonderful features of being a wire jewelry artist; you can make a bracelet to fit anyone!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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14 Comments

  1. avatar

    mike bethel

    November 21, 2009 at 10:51 am

    Where do I look to find design ideas for bracelets?

  2. avatar

    nancy beegle

    November 21, 2009 at 11:46 am

    I have the new book to which Dale has referred, asnd it really does have many beautiful design, along with amazing step-by-step instructions. I just got it recently, and have already made my own version of a bracelet, and everyone likes it, so I will be making many more!
    Thanks, Dale!

  3. avatar

    Edward D. Rice

    November 21, 2009 at 12:11 pm

    Speaking of bracelet length, if you make a 7 1/2″ end to end bracelet from 8mm and smaller stones(just for example) and then make a 7 1/2″ bracelet using large chunky Goldstone nuggets the finished inside diameter of the closed bracelet will be very different. You would have to make the Goldstone one a lot longer in order to fit the same wrist. It’s like a racetrack, the outside lane is a lot longer than the inside lane.

    • avatar

      dalecgr

      November 21, 2009 at 1:45 pm

      Edward, what you say is very true when speaking pf beaded or strung bracelets, just so folks know this is not the same when making wire bracelets. Thanks!
      Dale/Cgr

  4. avatar

    mary

    November 23, 2009 at 9:07 am

    I love the fact that you break down the bracelets so that a larger wristed woman becomes a large instead of an Amazon size, or the Extra-Large size that I hate hearing.

  5. Pingback: Daily Wire Tip Jan. 21: Bracelet Size Rule of Thumb | Jewelry Making Instructions

  6. avatar

    Ila

    January 31, 2011 at 12:14 pm

    Hello Dale. I have several great grandaughters of various ages so bracelet length is a huge question for me. To solve my dilemma I ad a couple of extra figure eight links to the end of the bracelets I make so the length is adjustable. Works for me.

    • avatar

      dalecgr

      February 2, 2011 at 12:45 am

      Nice idea Ila, thanks for sharing : )

  7. avatar

    Patricia Koko

    January 31, 2011 at 11:34 pm

    Another way to make an adjustable bracelet is to add a chain extender and us a clasp such as a large lobster to make it fit several size wrists.

  8. avatar

    Kat

    January 9, 2016 at 10:07 am

    “I Really Enjoy Your Site & Teaching us about Bracelets”> I was asked to make a Bracelet for a Lady, I looked at her Wrist & It was a Little Larger, She’s 6-2
    So I made the Bracelet 9 & 1/2 Long. She loved it. She said no one can find her size. I told her any time you want something let me know! And she did. So I now have a Person that appreciates the work & Pays me! Thanks to ALL OF YOU’S For Helping Me.

  9. avatar

    Joan

    February 12, 2016 at 9:13 am

    I really enjoyed all the advise on makingbracelet size. Thank again

  10. avatar

    Cindy

    February 24, 2017 at 6:29 am

    Thank you for all your articles. I’m really enjoying them. I almost stopped getting your emails because the link to your site never worked. But now it does. So I guess problem was fixed. Now I look forward to your articles and products you offer!
    Thanks, Cindy