Men's 22K gold bracelets for everyday wear: 5 designs

"The kind of gold you don't take off." That was our caption for five everyday men's bracelets, all 22K and all in store at our Little India showroom. Here is a closer look at each design, what makes three of them sparkle, and a straight answer to the question behind the caption: can you really wear a 22K gold bracelet every day?

The short answer: yes, for most of the day. 22K gold does not rust or corrode, so everyday wear, sweat and a rinse of water will not harm it. Take it off for the gym and heavy work, for swimming pools and the sea, and for cleaning with household chemicals. Many people take it off to sleep, too.

The five bracelets in our post

From top to bottom of the photo:

1. A watch-strap link. Rows of small, rounded links joined like a metal watch band. It is flexible, lies flat and has a quiet, even shine.
2. A textured curb link. Broad, interlocking curb links, the classic men's bracelet shape, with fine texture on the faces of the links and bright, polished edges. A heavier, rounder curb like this is often called a Cuban link.
3. Three diamond-cut links. The bottom three are variations on one idea: rows of small links whose tops are cut into tiny faceted pyramids, so every link throws back light. They come in different widths and patterns, from slim to broad.

All five are 22K (916) gold. For the other link styles, such as rope, figaro, box and brick link, see our guide to men's gold bracelets, which also explains how to measure your wrist and choose a clasp.

What is diamond-cut gold?

Diamond-cut gold has no diamonds in it. The name comes from the tool: a diamond-tipped cutter shaves tiny flat facets into the surface of the gold. Each facet works like a small mirror, so the piece reflects light in many directions and sparkles as it moves, far more than a smooth surface of the same gold. A little gold is cut away in the process.

Diamond-cut finishes are durable and stand up well to everyday wear. The one thing to avoid is heavy polishing: a jeweller's polishing wheel can round off the sharp edges of the facets and dull the sparkle. Ask for a diamond-cut piece to be cleaned rather than machine-polished. At home, wash it in warm water with a little mild dish soap and a soft toothbrush.

Can you wear a 22K gold bracelet every day?

Mostly, yes. Gold does not rust, and 22K gold, at 91.6% gold, resists tarnish far better than lower-karat gold, so sweat, heat and daily wear will not harm it. A few things will, and Jewelers of America's jewellery care advice covers them:

• Swimming pools, hot tubs and the sea. Chlorine and salt water can damage and discolour gold. Take your bracelet off before you swim.
• Household cleaners. Bleach and other strong chemicals attack the metals alloyed with gold. Take it off before you clean.
• The gym and heavy work. Bracelets get snagged, scratched and knocked on equipment, and links can stretch.
• The shower. Water will not harm gold, but soap and shampoo leave a film that dulls it, and Jewelers of America advises not wearing jewellery in the shower. If you do keep it on, rinse it in clean water and clean it gently now and then.
• Sleep. Many people take a bracelet off at night, so it cannot catch on bedding or press into the wrist.

Expect an everyday bracelet to change a little. 22K gold is softer than 18K or 14K, so a bracelet worn daily picks up fine scratches and, over the years, a softer sheen. Many people like that lived-in look. A jeweller can polish plain links back to a bright finish; diamond-cut links need gentler care, as above. For a step-by-step clean, read how to clean gold jewellery.

Which of the five suits you?

• For a first gold bracelet, or one worn with a watch: a slimmer diamond-cut link. It catches the light without looking heavy, and leaves room for a watch on the same wrist, though a small gap between them saves both from scuffs.
• For a classic look that goes with everything: the watch-strap link.
• For a statement piece: the broad curb link or the broadest diamond-cut design. A broader wrist carries a wider bracelet well.

Width also changes the price: a wider bracelet usually uses more gold, and gold is priced by weight. Ask for the weight of each one and compare them at today's gold rate.

What to check before you buy

1. The purity stamp. Look for 916 on the bracelet or its clasp.
2. The weight in grams, written on your receipt.
3. Solid or hollow? Broad links can be made either way, which changes the weight, the price and how well the bracelet stands up to knocks. See solid, hollow or gold-plated?
4. The clasp. For a bracelet you never take off, look for a box clasp with a safety catch, and try fastening it one-handed.
5. An itemised quote: gold value, making charge and GST as separate lines. See how to check a gold price quote.

Questions people ask about everyday gold bracelets

Is 22K gold too soft for a bracelet?

No. 22K (916) gold is 91.6% gold, alloyed with a little silver and copper to make it harder than pure 24K gold. It will pick up fine scratches with daily wear, but a well-made 916 bracelet keeps its shape for years. See 916 or 999? Gold purity explained.

Can I shower with my gold bracelet on?

You can, but it is better not to. Water will not harm gold, but soap and shampoo leave a film that dulls the shine, and Jewelers of America advises taking jewellery off before you shower. If you keep it on, rinse it in clean water and clean it as in how to clean gold jewellery.

Does diamond-cut gold lose its sparkle?

Not from normal wear: diamond-cut surfaces are durable. What dulls them is a film of soap and skin oils, which washes off, or heavy machine polishing, which rounds off the facets. Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush, and ask your jeweller not to buff it.

Should I wear my bracelet on the same wrist as my watch?

You can, but metal against metal scuffs both, and gold, being softer than steel, usually comes off worse. Leave a small gap, or wear them on opposite wrists.

See them in store

All five bracelets were in store when we posted them on 15 October. Designs sell and new pieces arrive, so message us on WhatsApp or DM @minorajewels to check availability before you come. You will find us at 142 Dunlop Street, inside Haniffa, in Little India, a few minutes from Little India (NE7, DT12) and Rochor (DT13) MRT stations. We are open every day from 10.30am to 9.30pm, and you can walk in without an appointment. Browse our 916 gold jewellery before you visit.