There is a huge variety of bangles available in India. Given here is a short description of the different types of bangles popular amongst women in India.
A bracelet is an article of clothing or jewelry that is worn around the wrist mainly for ornamental purpose. Bracelets can be made of cloth or metal, and sometimes contain rocks, wood, and shells. Bracelets can of various types including bangle bracelets, expansion bracelets, cuff bracelets, beaded bracelets, charm bracelets, spiral bracelets and link bracelets. A large number of boys in India, too wear bracelets in the wrist for glamor purpose.
Bracelets that are in solid form, usually some metal, without clasps or closures, are referred to as bangles or bangle bracelets. They can be smooth, textured or set with stones. In India, glass bangles are common. Made from ordinary glass that is about 1/4 - 1/8 inch in width, they are worn in groups so that arm movement causes them to make a pleasant tinkling sound.
Kangans are essentially a variety of bangle but is much thicker than an ordinary ring type bangle. Many a times women wear a kangan on both sides of the set of bangles that they wear in each arm. Ornate kangans can also be worn singly when a person needs a minimalistic look. A huge variety of Kangans are available in gold, silver, brass, metal, wood, lac besides other materials. A sleek round kanghan called kada is also worn by men.
Since ancient times, women in India have been decorating their upper arm with ornate arm bands. Unlike wristlets, the armlets or bajubands need to be shaped in such a way that they remain in position through pressure. For this structural requirement, most armlets are made by suspending one or more talismanic pendants on a string or attaching to a strap which can be tightened and knotted as per the wearer's requirement. In several communities, amulets strung on a black or red thread are often tied to keep the evil eye away. Arm bands look great with sleeveless or short sleeved dresses.