Bangles are worn by almost every Indian woman, and they sell in multiples. For wholesalers, they are a volume category with one extra complication: sizes.
Bangle sizes
Indian bangle sizes are written in a traditional notation such as 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 2.8 and 2.10. The number means 2 inches plus that many sixteenths of an inch of inner diameter, not a decimal:
| Size | Inner diameter (approx.) |
|---|---|
| 2.2 | 2 2/16 inch, about 54 mm |
| 2.4 | 2 4/16 inch, about 57 mm |
| 2.6 | 2 6/16 inch, about 60 mm |
| 2.8 | 2 8/16 inch, about 64 mm |
| 2.10 | 2 10/16 inch, about 67 mm |
Sizes 2.4 and 2.6 are the most common for adult women, with 2.2 for smaller hands and 2.8 for larger. A closed bangle in the wrong size is unwearable, so ask the factory for a size split per design (more 2.4 and 2.6, fewer at the ends) and base it on your sales history.
Styles
- Antique bangles: aged gold, with or without stones.
- Temple bangles: deity motifs and kemp.
- Kundan bangles and kadas: for North Indian bridal and festive wear.
- AD bangles: CZ-studded, bright finishes.
- Oxidised bangles and cuffs: daily wear.
- Regional: Maharashtrian green glass pairings, Bengali shakha-pola styles, Punjabi chooda-matching sets.
Base metal
Bangles flex when they are put on and taken off. Zinc alloy (Mazak) is more brittle and can crack if forced, so brass is usually preferred for thin bangles and anything that must flex; Mazak works for thick, rigid kadas where there is no bending. Read Mazak vs brass.
Openings
| Type | What it suits |
|---|---|
| Closed bangle | Classic and strong, but must be the right size |
| Screw-open kada | Thicker, easier to wear, fewer size problems |
| Hinged | Comfortable, premium |
| Openable with a screw or clasp | Customers whose hands are larger than their wrists |
| Adjustable cuff | One size fits many |
Stocking some openable and adjustable designs cuts the returns that come from wrong sizes, and suits gifting, where size is unknown.
Quality checks
Smooth inner surface, even plating inside and out, strong screws and hinges, matched pairs or sets, and secure stones.
Stocking tips
- Sell in pairs or sets of two, four, six or a dozen, sometimes mixing plain and stone-set designs; ask your manufacturer for designs that work together in matching finish and stone colour.
- Keep size ratios based on your sales history.
- Offer openable designs for gifting.
Regional bangle customs
Bangles carry meaning in many communities. Maharashtrian brides pair green glass bangles with gold-tone patlis and tode; Punjabi brides wear the red and white chooda with kaleere; Bengali brides wear shakha and pola. Imitation bangle ranges that respect these customs, in colours and forms customers expect, sell better than generic designs. Ask your distributor or regional retailers which combinations sell in their area before you order.
Briefing a bangle order
Give the size split by quantity, the width and profile, whether it opens, and the finish inside the bangle as well as outside. Customers see the inside every time they put a bangle on.
Bangles for festivals and weddings
Karva Chauth, Teej, Navratri, Diwali and the wedding season all bring strong bangle sales, especially in red, green and gold combinations. Order bangle sets in these colours well before each festival.
We make bangles and kadas to order at 200 pcs per design (400 for earrings and pendants), with size splits agreed at the quote stage. See antique jewellery wholesale.