How to Choose a Friendship Bracelet in the UK
Key Points to Consider
- Choose The Style: Charms, Cords Or Engraved
- Think About Affordability, Durability, Quality And Style
- For A Bracelet Which Will Last A Lifetime, Opt For Something Adjustable
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Choose the Right Style Bracelet for You and Your Pal - Charms, Cords, or Those With Engraved Messages
If You Are a Fan of Patterns and Beads, Cord Bracelets Are Perfect
Cord bracelets are similar to the ones that you'd make with string as a child, except you don't have to fiddle around fashioning one yourself! A cord bracelet can be woven into different patterns, or have beads threaded into the design to add an extra boost of glam.
The best part about a cord bracelet is that they are usually very easy to put on and take off. If you're buying for someone who likes to hit the gym, swim, or does the washing up by hand, you'd be best off buying them a cord bracelet to better suit their lifestyle.
If You’re Looking for Something Meaningful That You Can Personalise, Opt For a Charm Bracelet
Choosing a charm that means something to you and your best friend lets them have a reminder of your friendship close to them at all times. The charm can be threaded onto the bracelet, or a dangling pendant, depending on what they might prefer. Just bear in mind that if your friend has a desk job, a dangly charm could get in the way and make too much noise.
A small charm is a lovely way to symbolise your friendship with a valuable gift. If you're stuck for ideas, you might want to choose something like angel wings that symbolise love and protection, or a star charm that signifies a powerful and exciting connection between two people. If you'd like to give your friend a personalised gift that they can wear everyday, a charm with a secret meaning is a great place to start.
Go For an Engraved Message if You Want to Mark a Certain Memory
For a really special gift for your best friend, a bracelet with an engraved message can be the perfect solution. Depending where you buy from, you can't always personalise the message. But luckily for you, some will come already engraved with heartwarming messages, so you can tell your friend how much they mean to you.
The message should be something thoughtful, but not too personal as it needs to be appropriate for them to be able to wear every day. You don't want to get too soppy, so it's best to keep it short and sweet. Still not sure? Take a look at the bracelets down below for some examples.
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Choose Your Bracelet’s Material Based on Its Affordability, Durability, Quality and Style
If You Want Something Durable, Yet Affordable, Opt For a Metal Bracelet
A classic metal bracelet looks dainty and catches the light with an elegant glow. It's high quality, durable, and affordable so it ticks all the right boxes. In fact, it's one of the most budget-friendly materials you can get when it comes to jewellery. For added shine, you can find bracelets plated with precious metals like silver or gold for a genuinely sophisticated gift.
If you get a metal bracelet, it won't last you forever as the material will lose colour with time. This means that every time you wash your hands, shower, or swim, your bracelet should be taken off to ensure that it doesn't discolour and weaken. It could also irritate sensitive skin, which is another important factor to keep in mind.
If You’re After the Highest Quality Bracelet, Opt For Vermeil, or It’s Cheaper Alternative - Alloy
For a higher quality grade material, you may want to choose a vermeil bracelet. Similar to plated metal, vermeil jewellery consists of a silver body with a thin plate of gold on top. At a much higher price, this type of bracelet might just scrape above the budget, but your friend is sure to fall in love with the luxurious gift - and it will be much gentler on their skin.
For a friend that you want to keep for life, this is the bracelet to choose. It will last you for many years to come, never losing its colour or shine. So you can be sure that you're getting a great value for your money!
If you're not keen on forking out that much cash just for a bracelet, alloy is a more affordable alternative. It's a type of silver that's blended with other metals for a cheaper, yet equally as exquisite piece of jewellery.
For other gifts perfect for that special friend check out our guides on the best bath gift sets, scented candles and perfumes for women!
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If You Like the Idea of You and Your Friend Growing Old Together With Your Bracelets Intact, Choose an Adjustable One With Clips, Sliders or Ties
From your teen years to old age, a bracelet can tie your hearts together for life. If you'd like your bracelet to adapt with you over the years, just like a friendship does, then you should choose an adjustable one.
A clasp offers a sturdy and reliable grip, letting you clip the bracelet shut to your desired length. However, this can be a quite fiddly process that's hard to do by yourself, so it's best for bracelets you won't take on and off too often.
On the other hand, you could choose a slider or tie-shut bracelet. These are super easy to work as you just pull either end of the bracelet to tighten them. They're not as secure as they can loosen a lot easier than a clasp, but if your friend isn't going to wear the bracelet all the time, this will be much more flexible for them.
