The History of Tennis Bracelets
While tennis bracelets seem to have suddenly surged in popularity this year, this accessory has actually been trendy for nearly half a century. Today, we’ll delve into the story of the tennis bracelet.
The popularity of tennis bracelets is generally attributed to tennis star Chris Evert. In the summer of 1978, during the early rounds of the U.S. Open, she was wearing a diamond bracelet that suddenly broke and fell to the ground. Since then, continuous chain diamond bracelets have been known as “tennis bracelets.” Although this moment in jewelry history may be where the iconic bracelet got its name, it had been a popular bracelet style since the 1920s.
During the Art Deco era, women had a history of wearing diamond “line bracelets.” These diamond bracelets were made up of a row of square-cut diamonds. From the late 1920s to the 1970s, diamond line bracelets continued to be worn and appreciated by movie stars and luxury consumers, as they added a simple sparkle to their everyday look. Today, tennis bracelets are rapidly becoming an everyday jewelry essential.
Why Diamond Tennis Bracelets Are So Popular Today
Since Chris Evert inadvertently made jewelry history at the U.S. Open, many celebrities have been inspired by the tennis bracelet trend. Hailey and Justin Bieber, Drake, Rihanna, and Jennifer Lawrence are all known to have worn tennis bracelets. Most luxury jewelry brands also sell tennis bracelets and similar products.
When Zendaya’s new film “Challengers” (2024) was released in the spring of 2024, “The Tennis Core” trend took the world by storm, becoming even more popular. With Google searches rising daily and TikTok views exceeding 3 million, The Tennis Core became the biggest trend of the season.
The Tennis Core is a mix of entertainment and elegance. Sofia Richie Grainge often wears a simple tennis bracelet as part of her quiet luxury aesthetic. The Tennis Core trend seamlessly connects these past trends, creating the ultimate summer-style look. Tennis Core calls for both expensive custom clothing and a luxurious eye. The tennis bracelet is the ultimate ideal symbol of this trend: it exudes luxury, wearability, and uniqueness.
Buying a Tennis Bracelet
The most popular metals for tennis bracelets are white gold or platinum, but yellow gold and rose gold are also favored by some. Many different diamond cuts can be used to create unique diamond tennis bracelets. Round diamond bracelets are the most popular, but emerald, oval, and cushion-cut diamond bracelets are also in demand.
Tennis bracelets can also be created by combining different diamond cuts. Generally, tennis bracelets start at $10,000, with a total diamond weight of about 5 carats, G-H color, and VS clarity. When looking for a classic diamond tennis bracelet, we recommend a minimum G-H color for white diamonds and VS1-VS2 minimum clarity. Price always depends on the cut, clarity, and color of the diamonds.
Sourcing Colored Diamond Tennis Bracelets
Fancy diamonds are another popular choice for diamond tennis bracelets. Fancy light diamonds are colored diamonds with a light/pale hue. These delicate diamonds are extremely rare and command higher prices. Fancy intense diamonds are also rare, with more intense hues.
Yellow is the most popular color for diamond tennis bracelets. Prices for these exquisite bracelets range from $15,000 to $250,000. When purchasing a colored diamond tennis bracelet, we recommend choosing D-F color with VS1-VS2 clarity. Diamond tennis bracelets set with colored diamonds are more expensive than white diamond tennis bracelets.
Styling Diamond Tennis Bracelets
A tennis bracelet is the most versatile piece in anyone’s jewelry collection. Firstly, it’s light and can be worn from day to night, looking great with any outfit. It’s also a great piece for layering. We suggest stacking your diamond tennis bracelet with two or more other tennis bracelets to create a dazzling effect.
It also pairs well with Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra bracelets and Cartier Love bracelets. Fun fact: diamond tennis bracelets are often considered the eternity bracelet for the wrist. This line of diamonds mimics the popular wedding ring style, hence the name. Diamond tennis bracelets thus become the perfect jewelry companion for brides.
As the name suggests, tennis bracelets are a must-have for summer tennis matches and can easily be paired with a white tennis skirt. Whether you want to add sparkle to your bracelet collection or join this summer’s Tennis Core trend, a tennis bracelet is the perfect choice for yourself or a loved one.
Ace Your Style: The Ultimate Guide to Scoring the Perfect Tennis Bracelet
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