A
bracelet is a
loop of
material, such as a
strap or
chain, that is intended to be worn around the
wrist or
forearm, without being attached to
clothing. Sometimes, it is a combination of joined or loops. Frequently, it is made in a
decorative style, and is worn as
jewellery. It may have a function, such as holding a
wristwatch or other items of jewellery such as religious symbols or
charms.
Medical and
identity information is marked on some bracelets, such as
allergy bracelets,
hospital patient-identification tags, and bracelet tags for newborn babies. If a bracelet is a single, inflexible loop, it is often called a
bangle. When it is worn around the
ankle it is called an
ankle bracelet or
anklet. A
boot bracelet is used to decorate
boots. Colloquially,
handcuffs are sometimes called
bracelets. Bracelets can be
manufactured from
metal,
leather,
cloth,
plastic or other materials and sometimes contain
jewels,
rocks,
wood,
shells, crystals, metal or plastic hoops, pearls and many more materials.