Resizing Bracelets: Step-by-Step

Bracelets are an essential part of any jewelry collection. However, bracelets don’t always fit perfectly and end up being either too small or too large on a wrist. To complicate matters further, your wrist size can change, whether naturally or due to a few specific exercises.

If your bracelet or bracelets end up not fitting on your wrist, they will end up looking wrong and feeling unnatural. If this happens, they need to be resized to fix the problem. Keep reading to discover how to resize your bracelets so that they will fit you just right.

Related: How To Size A Bracelet

Measure Your Wrist

Before you start resizing your bracelets, you need to know what size your wrist is so you can know what size the bracelets need to be. Otherwise, you will end up with a bracelet that won’t work for you.

The easiest way to do this is with a flexible measuring tape. Simply wrap the tape around the portion of your wrist where you will be wearing the bracelet. Then, take the measurement.

However, many people don’t have a measuring tape like this. If this is the case for you, there is a DIY solution available. Simply grab a string, shoelace, or anything similar. Wrap this around your wrist and make a mark at the point it crosses back over itself. Then, lay the string out flat. Use a ruler, yardstick, or whatever you have to measure the length of the string you have marked out. This will give you the same measurement.

Whatever measurement you use, make sure to write the final number down. Then, make sure to have this number accessible throughout the rest of the process.

Determine Your Bracelet Type

Not every bracelet is capable of being resized. Depending on the type of bracelet you have, you may be unable to resize it at all.

Expandable or adjustable bracelets are the easiest to resize because they are made to be resized. They are either made from a flexible material or come with something else that allows them to change size. With these, you don’t even need a guide to resize them.

Similarly, bracelets with one open end are often capable of being resized. However, they will only be able to expand or contract to a certain degree.

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Link bracelets are capable of being resized but will require a little work. These bracelets are made of many different links that come together to form the bracelet. Bracelets like these include chain bracelets and charm bracelets. They are traditionally made of some sort of metal but can be made from other materials as well.

Similar to link bracelets, some beaded bracelets can be resized. They just need to be made from a material you can work with.

Some bracelets cannot be resized. Bangles and any type of bracelet made from an unbroken piece of material fall into this category.

Resizing a Bracelet

Once you have determined that your bracelet can be resized, you can start resizing it. However, before doing so, use the wrist size measurement you made earlier to determine if you need to make the bracelet smaller or larger. Keep this measurement in mind throughout this process, as it will tell you how much to add or remove from the bracelet.

Making a Bracelet Smaller

The easiest way to make a bracelet smaller is to remove links from a link bracelet. With some bracelets, you can do this yourself. Some bracelets have links that are easy to remove and can be taken out by hand. Others will require you to use wire cutters to cut out the links you need to remove. After doing so, you can use pliers to reattach the bracelet.

However, keep in mind that doing this yourself can be dangerous. Cutting yourself on metal is never good but is worse if the piece is old and rusty, as it could lead to tetanus. Consider contacting a professional to keep yourself safe.

You can perform a similar operation on bracelets that are strung together with a simple string. With beaded bracelets, you can cut the string holding the beads together. Then, remove the beads you need to remove to make the bracelet fit. Finally, restring the bracelet using only the beads that you need. In the end, the beaded bracelet will look the same but slightly smaller. Unfortunately, this is a lot more difficult and may be impossible for bracelets that use metal to string the beads together.

Making a Bracelet Larger

The most straightforward way to make a bracelet larger is using a bracelet extender. This is a piece of material that attaches to the ends of your bracelet. By doing so, it will extend the bracelet as a whole.

A bracelet extender is great because it is simple and easy to use. Anyone can easily use one to make their bracelet larger. Plus, they are common enough that you will likely be able to find one that works for you. Just make sure to shop around until you find one that matches the material of your bracelet. You may need to use a few online search tricks to find something that matches, but the end result will be worth it. By making the right match, the extender is less obtrusive, and the entire piece looks natural.

You can also make a bracelet larger by reversing the process used to make it larger. By adding links instead of removing them, you will make the bracelet larger. If you have links that exactly match the rest of the bracelet, extending the bracelet in this way will be less noticeable than using a bracelet extender.

However, adding links can be difficult. Doing so presents the same dangers and hazards as removing links. Plus, ordering specific jewelry links is much more difficult than ordering a bracelet extender. Because of this, it is often a better choice to let a jeweler handle adding links.

Wearing Your Resized Bracelet

A bracelet won’t work if it is the wrong size. Whether you need it to be larger or smaller, following the guide above will help you adjust it appropriately. Once you do so, you are ready to hit the town with a bracelet that fits perfectly!

Pairing a bracelet with a necklace or earrings can help complete your outfit! Check out our wide selection of necklaces!

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