Bracelet vs. Necklace — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 27, 2023
Bracelet is a piece of jewelry worn around the wrist. Necklace is a piece of jewelry worn around the neck.
Difference Between Bracelet and Necklace
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A bracelet is a piece of jewelry designed to be worn around the wrist. It can be made of various materials like gold, silver, beads, or leather. A necklace, on the other hand, is a piece of jewelry intended to be worn around the neck. It can also be made from a range of materials and often features pendants or charms.
Bracelets can range from simple bands to elaborate designs with gemstones. They are often used as accessories or fashion statements. Necklaces can also vary widely, from simple chains to complex pieces with multiple strands or large decorative elements.
The term bracelet originates from the Greek word "brachile," meaning "of the arm." This highlights its association with the wrist. The word necklace comes from the Old French "las" meaning "noose," reflecting its placement around the neck.
Bracelets can be functional, such as medical alert bracelets or fitness trackers. Necklaces can also serve purposes beyond adornment, such as religious or cultural significance, or even as a place to keep small items in lockets.
In terms of symbolism, bracelets can represent friendship, love, or a personal milestone. Necklaces, especially those with pendants, can symbolize personal beliefs, memories, or relationships.
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Comparison Chart
Worn On
Wrist
Neck
Origin of Name
Greek "brachile" (of the arm)
Old French "las" (noose)
Functionality
Can be functional (e.g., medical alert)
Sometimes functional (e.g., lockets)
Symbolism
Friendship, love, milestones
Beliefs, memories, relationships
Design Variety
Bands to gemstone designs
Simple chains to elaborate strands
Compare with Definitions
Bracelet
A decorative band or chain worn around the wrist.
She wore a silver bracelet to the party.
Necklace
A piece of jewelry worn around the neck.
She chose an elegant necklace for the evening.
Bracelet
A symbolic item representing a cause or affiliation.
He wore a bracelet supporting environmental awareness.
Necklace
A cultural or ceremonial piece worn around the neck.
During the ceremony, she wore a traditional tribal necklace.
Bracelet
A bracelet is an article of jewellery that is worn around the wrist. Bracelets may serve different uses, such as being worn as an ornament.
Necklace
An accessory often with a pendant or locket.
Her necklace had a locket with a photo inside.
Bracelet
An ornamental band or chain encircling the wrist or arm.
Necklace
A necklace is an article of jewellery that is worn around the neck. Necklaces may have been one of the earliest types of adornment worn by humans.
Bracelet
Something, such as a handcuff, that resembles a wrist ornament.
Necklace
An ornamental chain or string of beads, jewels, or links worn round the neck
The harbour with its necklace of lights
A diamond necklace
Bracelet
A band or chain worn around the wrist as jewelry/jewellery or an ornament.
Necklace
(in South Africa) a tyre doused or filled with petrol, placed round a victim's neck and set alight.
Bracelet
The strap of a wristwatch, used to secure it around the wrist.
Necklace
(in South Africa) kill (someone) with a tyre necklace.
Bracelet
(historical) A piece of defensive armour for the arm.
Necklace
An ornament worn around the neck.
Bracelet
(transitive) To surround with, or as if with, a bracelet; to ring or encompass.
Necklace
Something felt to resemble this neck ornament, as in shape
A necklace of hundreds of tiny islands.
Bracelet
An ornamental band or ring, for the wrist or the arm; in modern times, an ornament encircling the wrist, worn by women or girls.
Necklace
An article of jewelry that is worn around the neck, most often made of a string of precious metal, pearls, gems, beads or shells, and sometimes having a pendant attached.
Bracelet
A piece of defensive armor for the arm.
Necklace
(figuratively) Anything resembling a necklace in shape.
A necklace of coral islands
Bracelet
A band of cloth or leather or metal links attached to a wristwatch and wrapped around the wrist
Necklace
(South Africa) A device used in necklacing (an informal execution); a rubber tyre that is filled with petrol. It is placed around the victim's chest and arms, and set on fire.
Bracelet
Jewelry worn around the wrist for decoration
Necklace
(South Africa) To informally execute by necklacing; by setting on fire a petrol-filled rubber tyre which has been put around the bound victim's neck.
Bracelet
An item of jewelry signifying a relationship or bond.
They exchanged friendship bracelets.
Necklace
A string of beads, etc., or any continuous band or chain, worn around the neck as an ornament.
Bracelet
A functional band worn for identification or monitoring.
His medical bracelet listed his allergies.
Necklace
A rope or chain fitted around the masthead to hold hanging blocks for jibs and stays.
Bracelet
A cultural or religious adornment worn on the wrist.
She adorned her wrist with a traditional bracelet during the festival.
Necklace
Jewelry consisting of a cord or chain (often bearing gems) worn about the neck as an ornament (especially by women)
Necklace
An adornment featuring a chain, cord, or beads.
The colorful beaded necklace matched her outfit.
Necklace
A symbolic item representing personal beliefs or relationships.
He wore a necklace with a cross symbolizing his faith.
Common Curiosities
Are necklaces only for women?
No, necklaces are worn by people of all genders.
Are friendship bracelets a type of bracelet?
Yes, they symbolize friendship and are often handmade.
Can bracelets be adjustable?
Yes, many bracelets come with adjustable closures.
Can necklaces hold ashes?
Yes, some memorial necklaces are designed to hold ashes.
Is it common to engrave bracelets?
Yes, engraving adds a personal touch to bracelets.
What’s a pendant?
A pendant is a decorative piece that hangs from a necklace.
Are pearl necklaces still in fashion?
Yes, pearl necklaces are timeless and remain fashionable.
What is a choker?
A choker is a type of necklace that fits tightly around the neck.
Can bracelets have health benefits?
Some believe magnetic bracelets have health benefits, though evidence is limited.
Can bracelets be made of leather?
Yes, leather bracelets are quite popular.
Is it safe to sleep in a necklace?
It's generally safer to remove it to avoid tangling or breaking.
Can necklaces be layered?
Yes, layering multiple necklaces is a popular trend.
Are charm bracelets customizable?
Yes, you can add or change charms on most charm bracelets.
Can bracelets and necklaces be matched?
Yes, matching sets are common in jewelry.
Do athletes wear bracelets?
Yes, some wear silicone bracelets for style or support.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
