What Is a Diamond Tennis Bracelet?

Tennis bracelets are a jewellery staple that many people would love to add to their collection. They’re often bought as a statement piece. They also make a wonderful gift for special occasions such as a significant birthday or wedding anniversary. Having been a much sought-after style for decades, tennis bracelets are as popular as ever in 2020.

The History of Tennis Bracelets : Why Are They Called Tennis Bracelets?

Although it has been around since the 1920s, the ‘diamond line’ bracelet gained popularity in the ’70s. Attention was drawn to the bracelet style when it was seen worn by Chris Evert on the tennis court as part of her chic tennis attire. During one particular US Open match in 1978, the clasp on one of Evert’s bracelets broke and play was stopped so she could search for it. The style has been known as the Tennis Bracelet ever since. Diamond necklaces that are in the same style as a tennis bracelet are also referred to as a ‘Tennis’ necklace.

Tennis bracelets can be made in different sizes. The number of diamonds in any bracelet is determined by the chosen diamond size as well as the required finished length of the bracelet.

Regardless of whether you choose to wear a white, yellow or rose gold tennis bracelet, they are a stunning accessory. Due to their fine assembly, they are best kept for wearing on special occasions. We recommend that people do not wear a tennis bracelet every day. This is also the reason that a tennis bracelet does not make a good baby bracelet! The many moving pieces of a tennis bracelet have the potential to come apart if it twists, becomes caught or is mishandled. This means that a tennis bracelet is definitely not an ideal choice for a baby to wear.

Often our clients ask ‘what is the difference between a bangle and a bracelet?’

And ‘is there such a thing as a tennis bangle?’

There is a significant difference between the two styles. A bracelet is made of individual links that connect to make a flexible piece. A bangle, however, is a solid item with no flexible parts. Bangles are usually constructed in two ways. They can be made as a solid circle, like a ‘golf’ bangle, which goes on over the hand. They can otherwise be made of two solid halves connected with a hinge at one side and a clasp at the other side. A bangle that contains stones is simply referred to as a ‘diamond-set’ or ‘stone-set’ bangle.

If you prefer more colour in your jewellery, you are certainly not restricted to having a tennis bracelet set with diamonds. Sapphires are a fantastic option! They come in a wide array of colours. With a hardness of 9 on the MOH’s scale, sapphires are second only to diamond in their resistance to scratching. This makes them the most logical choice for any piece of jewellery if coloured gems are something you love to wear. Of course, if your budget accommodates it, you could always consider a coloured diamond tennis bracelet.

How to Style a Tennis Bracelet

Styling tennis bracelets is easy, they simply look fabulous as stand-alone pieces. They’re perfect to wear on your wedding day or any other special occasion.

Many people ask if it’s ok to wear a tennis bracelet on the same wrist as a watch or another bracelet. For any fine jewellery worn alongside something else, our answer is the same. Don’t wear it against something made of harder material. Watches, for example, are often made of stainless steel which is significantly harder than precious metal. The band of a watch is likely to cause damage to a tennis bracelet over time by wearing the metal away.

If you would like to wear your tennis bracelet alongside another bracelet, we recommend pairing matching metals. If you have an 18ct white gold chain bracelet, then an 18ct white gold tennis bracelet is the perfect choice. Of course, you can also style two tennis bracelets together going the effect of a double tennis bracelet.

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How to Clean a Tennis Bracelet

You can gently clean a tennis bracelet at home by soaking it in warm water with a little dishwashing liquid. After a few minutes, gently clean the back of the diamonds with a soft brush (a baby toothbrush is perfect). Be very careful not to use too much pressure and over-flex the bracelet, this can cause permanent damage to the fine hinges between each link. Once you have gone along the length of the bracelet, rinse in warm water then dry thoroughly with a tissue.

If the process above doesn’t remove the build-up, or if the metal has lost its shine, have it professionally cleaned by a jeweller. With any fine jewellery, it is best to have it regularly cleaned and inspected at the place of purchase. For a tennis bracelet, every 1-2 years is ideal.

Are Tennis Bracelets Unisex?

Nope, we don’t believe any piece of jewellery is unisex. If you love it, own it, wear it and flaunt it. Typically, you’ll find the length of most tennis bracelets is suited to a smaller wrist but generally, they can be made to order in any length. Some tennis bracelets are more masculine in style, featuring heavier settings and sturdier construction but there are no rules. Just find a style that works for you, regardless of gender or age.

How is a Tennis Bracelet Constructed?

Tennis bracelets are made up of many identical settings, each of which incorporates a hinge. The links are usually riveted or soldered from the sides of the bracelet allowing it to flex freely around the wrist with minimal movement left-to-right. A typical tennis bracelet will feature round diamonds set in 4 claw settings. Tennis bracelets can be adjusted to fit the wearer by removing links, this must be done by a jeweller.

At Larsen Jewellery, our speciality is working with clients to create custom-designed pieces. If you are searching for a special gift for a loved one, or if you simply want to treat yourself, a tennis bracelet makes a spectacular accessory.

If you were going to add a Tennis Bracelet to your jewellery collection, what would you choose? Let us know in the comments below!