Guides
All About Tennis Bracelets
Tennis bracelets are a more recent invention, fully taking off in the 20th century. These lightweight and flexible pieces use small diamonds to create a single bracelet. This makes it ideal for sporty women whose active lifestyle doesn’t lend itself to the wearing of bangles or heavy jewellery, as it is less likely to get banged or dinged when playing a sport such as tennis. Although many still stick to this lightweight and flexible style, some have branched out into more heavier or higher carat styles. The attractive bracelets, originally known as and sometimes still referred to as eternity or inline bracelets, can cost hundreds to tens of thousands, depending on the style, size and stone.
So, why are tennis bracelets called tennis bracelets? In the 1987 U.S. Open, tennis star and the former World No. 1 woman tennis player Chris Evert (pictured below) was playing a vigorous match. In the middle of the game, she asked the officials to stop the game because her diamond bracelet had come unclasped and fallen on the court. She asked for time to search for and retrieve her bracelet. After the ‘tennis bracelet’ incident, the diamond bracelet got a new name, as well as adding a new clasp to keep it more secure. It spawned a famous advert which promoted it, with the tagline ‘The Jewerly That Became The Symbol That Became The Legend’, kicking off a huge trend.
Things to consider when purchasing a Tennis Bracelet:
Features:
If you’re considering a tennis bracelet, avoid the error that generated its name. Evert’s bracelet did not have a safety clasp on it, which is why it fell off. Make sure that the tennis bracelet you wear, whether to a party or on the court, includes a clasp that you can secure tightly to avoid losing the bracelet. Many bracelets feature coloured stones, such as aquamarines or emeralds. Be wary with these stones, though. Whilst they still make for beautiful pieces, these stones are softer and more prone to damage. Diamonds are famed for their sturdiness and durability, which is why they’re the traditional choice for tennis bracelets. Go for coloured stones if you know they will not be in danger of being battered around a lot.
Sizing
Sizing is important for a tennis bracelet, and shouldn’t be too long nor too short when worn on the wrist. As a general guide, when worn, there should be a finger’s width between the wrist and the bracelet. Some bracelet styles allow for simple size adjustment, but some cannot be resized. For example, link bracelets or tennis bracelets can be easily removed links to shorten the length. Keep this in mind if you want this flexibility when choosing your bracelet.
Buying and Styles:
When buying a tennis bracelet, look at how you will wear it and make sure it has the stones and a setting that give you the flexibility you need. Tennis bracelets measure the overall carat weight, not the weight of individual stones. Look for the traditional characteristics you look for in a diamond: cut, clarity, colour and carat weight.
There are a wide variety of styles to choose from in a bracelet. These include cuts of the diamond as well as different choices of metals and safety clasps. Here is a selection of just some of the tennis bracelets we have on offer. For the full collection please pop into one of our stores in Hatton Garden, or get in touch using the contact form. We have friendly and expert staff, so if you are unsure or wish to find out more on tennis bracelets – we are happy to help.
