Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Natural Stone and Wood Bracelets: Styles, Sizing and Care
Bead bracelets made from natural stone and wood are the easy, textured side of jewelry. They are light enough to forget you are wearing them, look good on their own or stacked with a watch, and they come in colors and grains that metal alone cannot give you.
Choose polished stones (onyx, agate, tiger's eye) for a smooth, glossy look and wood or lava rock for a matte, natural one. Measure your wrist and add 1/2 to 1 inch. Mix two or three textures in one stack, and keep wood and porous stones away from water and perfume.
Popular Stones and What They Look Like
| Material | Look | Wears well with |
|---|---|---|
| Black onyx | Deep, glossy black | Silver, steel, a classic watch |
| Agate | Banded or speckled, endless colors | Gold tones and warm wood |
| Tiger's eye | Golden brown with a silky shimmer | Leather, brown and olive |
| Lava rock | Matte black, lightly porous | Polished stones for contrast |
| Wood | Natural grain, warm and light | Almost anything, day to day |
Stainless Steel Polished Black Onyx Beaded Stretch Bracelet$22.91View piece
Volcanic Rock Agate Beaded Stretch Bracelet$22.91View piece
Sesame Red Agate Beaded Stretch Bracelet$22.91View piece
Wood Bracelets
Wood beads are light, warm to the touch and quietly distinctive, since no two beads share the same grain. Cypress has a pale, even tone; padauk ranges from coral to deep red-brown; darker woods such as wenge read almost espresso. Wood also pairs well with metal: a steel link bracelet with a wood inlay bridges the casual and the polished.
Cypress Wood Stretch Bracelet$22.88View piece
Burma Padauk Wood Beaded Stretch Bracelet$26.59View piece
Stainless Steel Brushed with Wood Inlay 8.75in Link Bracelet$76.42View piece
Finding Your Size
Wrap a soft tape measure around your wrist just above the wrist bone. Add about 1/2 inch for a close fit or 1 inch for a relaxed one. Most stretch bracelets are made around 7 to 7.5 inches, which suits the majority of wrists; larger beads take up more room, so size up slightly if you choose 8 mm or bigger.
How to Stack Them
- Mix textures: a matte lava or wood bracelet next to a glossy onyx one looks intentional.
- Vary bead sizes: pair one 8 mm bracelet with one or two in 4 to 6 mm.
- Add one metal piece: a slim chain or bangle ties the stack together.
- Wear the stack on the opposite wrist from a large watch, or keep it to two pieces beside a small one.
Meaning and Tradition
Many people choose stones for what they have traditionally symbolized: onyx for steadiness, tiger's eye for confidence, agate for balance. These are cultural traditions rather than proven effects, but they can make a bracelet feel personal, especially as a gift.
Caring for Stone and Wood Bracelets
- Take them off before washing hands, showering or swimming. Water weakens elastic and can dull wood.
- Keep perfume, lotion and hand sanitizer away from wood and lava rock, which absorb them.
- Roll the bracelet on and off rather than stretching it wide.
- Wipe polished stones with a soft, dry cloth, and store bracelets flat so the cord rests unstretched.
Browse the full range of natural stone and wood bracelets or all bracelets.
Questions, Answered
How do I measure my wrist for a stretch bracelet?
Wrap a soft tape measure around your wrist just above the wrist bone, then add about 1/2 inch for a snug fit or 1 inch for a looser one.
Can I wear a wood bracelet in water?
Best not. Water and soap can dull wood and weaken the elastic. Take wood and lava rock bracelets off before washing hands, showering or swimming.
What bead size should I choose?
4 mm beads look delicate and stack easily, 6 mm is the most versatile, and 8 mm or larger makes a bolder, more casual statement.
How do I stop a stretch bracelet from breaking?
Roll it on and off over your hand rather than pulling it wide, and avoid stretching it over a big watch.
