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11 Best Friend Bracelets For 2026, According To Glamour’s Gifting Editor
Friend bracelet FAQs, answered:
Do friendship bracelets have to match?
No! Now you’re older and know your best mates beyond the school classroom, you’ll be aware of their likes and dislikes. Chances are, a few of them are the total opposite of you, so you could go for similar styles in different colours or metals. Otherwise, opt for different styles entirely — it’s your intention that counts.
What is a friendship bracelet made of?
That totally depends on the style you choose and is usually detailed on the product listing, but common options include gold plate on top of stainless steel and sterling silver 925. If you’re keen to check out tarnish-free jewellery, be sure to look for pieces finished with a PVD – Physical Vapour Deposition – which is a coating process, often used on highly resistant, durable stainless steel. Plated jewellery is also tarnish-resistant, but it won’t stay that way forever.
How I choose the best friend bracelets:
First: opening 45 tabs of beaded bracelets and chain bracelets I’d happily receive or would willingly gift to my best friend to mark our six years of unwavering friendship. Next: reaching out to various jewellery brands to request samples of their bestsellers in this category, including birthstone bracelets, engraved bracelets, gold friendship bracelets and silver friendship bracelets. I then proceeded to wear them to work, while showering and even when lounging to check their quality, comfort and overall design.
After wearing each piece multiple times, I reviewed it against the following criteria:
| Functionality | Did the friend bracelet go on easily, and did it stay in place? Was it of good quality and aesthetic? Did I have any issues in terms of twisting or discomfort? |
| Design | Was the bracelet high quality? Did it wear well? Did it tarnish or discolour at all during testing? |
| Price point | Would I be willing to spend that much on a single piece of jewellery again? Or would it be within my budget when shopping for a gift? |
| Delivery | How quickly did the friend bracelet arrive, and what were/are the associated costs? |
Why you can trust me:
Aside from being a jewellery enthusiast — at the very least, I’ll be wearing five rings and two bracelets at all times — I’ve got professional credentials, too.
I’ve been reviewing functional fashion essentials — be that cotton underwear, shapewear and activewear — and accessories, including jewellery, for almost three years. That’s one year at Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan and Men’s Health, followed by 22 months at Glamour. During that time, I’ve seen countless trends and advancements, including a boom in statement jewellery options.
While some might consider it wasteful to call in samples of every single style in this edit, I did sample brands I had no experience with. Otherwise, I relied on jewellery brands my fellow editors and I already know and praise loudly for offering hard-wearing, tarnish-free jewellery.