How To Properly Put on Native American Cuff Bracelets
Cuff bracelets are a staple of Native American jewelry. Whether you’re going for a dainty, feminine look with a narrow silver band or a bold statement piece with gorgeous turquoise stones, these bracelets are full of culture, character, and quality craftsmanship.
Because cuff bracelets don’t create a full circle the way bangles, chains, beaded bracelets, tennis bracelets, and other styles do, they require special attention and care to find the right fit. Learning how to properly put on a Native American cuff bracelet helps you take good care of your jewelry and ensure a comfortable, stylish fit for every piece you buy.
Read on to learn more about authentic Native American cuff bracelets and see how the right fit makes a difference in your overall look.
How To Put on Your Cuff Bracelet
Putting on your cuff bracelet isn’t a complicated process by any means, but it is important to do it correctly so that you don’t hurt your wrist or damage the bracelet. The goal is to slide the opening of the bracelet over your wrist without pressing too hard into your skin or bending the metal of the bracelet.
Start by pressing the lower edge of the cuff’s opening to the underside of your wrist just behind your wrist bone closer to your forearm, (that’s the thinnest place on your wrist so it’s the easiest place to get a cuff on!) where you want the bracelet to sit. Next, roll the bracelet so the opening slides over your wrist and the cuff moves into place.
You want to use this same technique in reverse to remove the cuff bracelet. Press the edge of the cuff that sits on the inside of your wrist into the soft underside of your wrist, then roll the bracelet toward you to pull it off.
Don’t Fit a Cuff Over Your Hand
Some people instinctively try to pull on their cuff bracelets over their hands, like they would any other loose-fitting bracelet. However, pulling a cuff over your fist this way will bend the metal and harm the bracelet. If the cuff can fit over your hand without bending, it means it will be far too loose for your wrist and will slide around or even fall off when you move your arm.
Always put a cuff bracelet on at the wrist to avoid bending the metal and ensure the cuff fits comfortably and safely on your arm.
It All Starts With the Right Fit
Being able to properly put on and take off your Native American cuff bracelet comes down to choosing a cuff that fits properly. To do this, you need to carefully measure your wrist.
Use a sewing tape measure (or a string, piece of cloth, or strip of paper that you can then measure) and wrap it around your wrist where you want the cuff to rest. The number you measure is the circumference of your wrist in inches, which directly correlates to your bracelet size. For example, if your wrist is six inches around, you want a bracelet that has a total inside circumference of six inches. For cuffs, the total inside circumference includes the gap between the two ends of the bracelet.
However, you must also consider how you like your cuff bracelets to fit. If you prefer a snug fit that hugs your wrist and won’t shift when you move your arm, the exact measured circumference of your wrist is the size you should go for. But if you prefer a looser fit, adding a quarter or half inch to the measurement will get you a bracelet that has some wiggle room and drapes elegantly on your wrist.
Placement Matters
Where you place your cuff bracelet also affects size and fit. If you want the cuff to sit over your wrist bone, make sure you measure that area or give yourself an extra bit of room so the bracelet can fit comfortably.
Generally speaking, thinner cuffs look best in front of the wrist bone. This is also where they’ll stay more securely, as the base of your hand and the curve of the bone will help keep them in place.
Wider cuffs can be too clunky to comfortably fit in this area, but they look great over the wrist bone, which means you likely want to size up a little for these styles.
Consider the Shape of Your Wrist
The shape and angle of your wrist also affect both the inner circumference you need and the size of the gap that comfortably works for you. Wrists that are more of an oval shape make it a little easier to place or remove a cuff with a smaller gap, while rounder wrists might need a cuff with a larger gap to comfortably slide on and off.
Keep in mind that your wrists, like many other parts of the body, might not be perfectly symmetrical. Your right and left wrist might need slightly different cuff sizes or shapes for a comfortable, fashionable fit.
Pro Tip: Measure a Bracelet You Already Like
There are plenty of variables in selecting the right bracelet size. Even if one is the right measurement, it might not fit or stay on your wrists the way you’re imagining. The most reliable way to measure your wrist and find a bracelet that fits perfectly is to measure a cuff you already love and compare that to the bracelets you’re looking at. This ensures you select your cuff bracelet based on measurements you know work for your wrist size and style preferences.
Avoid Adjusting Your Bracelet
Some people try to adjust their cuff bracelets to take them on and off easier or to fit more comfortably around their wrist. After all, the gap in the cuff makes it enticing to bend to get that perfect fit. However, adjusting the bracelet can cause serious damage and ruin your bracelet.
Stones inlayed or set in the cuff might pop out, and thicker or more intricate metalworking can warp or bend oddly, harming the design. You may also accidentally bend the bracelet unevenly or adjust it too far, creating a shape that ruins the look of the cuff.
If you need to resize your cuff bracelet, please reach out to us at John Henry, as we have a team of learned silversmiths expertly trained to work with Native American cuff bracelets in a way that won’t harm the materials or design.
Are you looking for authentic Native American cuff bracelets to add to your jewelry collection? At John Henry, we work closely with artisans to sell genuine pieces that evoke the beauty, history, and heritage of Native American jewelry making. Explore our selection of cuff bracelets from Zuni, Navajo, and Hopi artists when you visit John Henry today.