If you are someone who has not had a lot of experience with jewelry and you are about to start shopping for a bracelet, prepare to be surprised. There are many types of bracelets available, and often jewelry stores will use different names for each variety, assuming you know what those names mean. They're not always as intuitive as you might hope. If you want to feel confident as you walk into the jewelry store and start shopping, take a look at the following guide, which lists and describes common bracelet types.

Tennis Bracelets

These bracelets are named after a sport, which might lead you to believe they feature balls or an emblem of a racket. But that's not the case at all. Tennis bracelets are named as such because ladies would traditionally wear then when visiting country clubs to play tennis — an occasion that called for stylish and chic attire but not really formal attire. This type of bracelet is comprised of a single chain with a gemstone placed within each bracket of the chain. As you can imagine, a tennis bracelet made with diamonds, rubies, or another precious stone can be really expensive, but there are certainly budget-friendly options made from cubic zirconia and other synthetic materials.

Italian Charm Bracelets

This is a common type of bracelet that consists of individual, flat links. You can link as many or as few of the links together as you please, which permits you to self-customize the bracelet to fit your wrist. Typically, each link has its own charm. You can find ones with images of animals, words, sayings, flowers, and so forth. Italian charm bracelets have a casual look but are great for self-expression.

Cuff Bracelets

Cuff bracelets are typically made from one continuous, curved piece of metal. They fit onto the wrist like a cuff. Often, they are made to be worn a little further up the arm than other types of bracelets. Some people like to wear a cuff on their forearm and a skinnier, more delicate bracelet closer to their actual wrist. Cuff bracelets are usually gold, silver, or brass, but there are some which feature colorful beads or embellishments.

Bangle Bracelets

Bangles are typically solid, structured rings that you slide around your wrist. They do not unhook or latch in any way. Usually, these bangles are thin, and you would wear multiples of them instead of just one. They can be gold or silver, but companies are increasingly making them from less expensive metals, like nickel and stainless steel. Bangles are typically seen as youthful and fun.

Beaded Bracelets

A beaded bracelet is made from various beads strung onto a strand, which could be made from anything from cord to gold. The beads can be made from rocks, plastic, or anything in between. Typically, beaded bracelets are loud and colorful. They are worn as statement pieces or with casual attire.

Link Bracelets

Link bracelets are made from circles of metal that are intertwined to form a chain. The metal used can be thicker or thinner, based on the designer's preferences. More delicate link bracelets are fit for special occasions, while larger and chunkier ones are better for casual wear. 

Leather Bracelets

As the name suggests, these bracelets are made from leather. The design options are virtually endless. Sometimes the leather is tooled or decorated with a certain pattern. Other times, it may have jewels or stones embedded into it. The leather can be a natural tan, or it might be brightly colored red or blue. Leather bracelets are typically seen as more casual and can be a good choice for everyday attire.