 With that said, perhaps one of the most iconic, timeless, and indisputably classy pieces of jewelry is a diamond tennis bracelet. For the uninitiated, a diamond tennis necklace refers to a dazzling strand of diamonds worn on your wrist.
The chains earned their monicker in the late 1980s and have an interesting history behind them. These bracelets were recently revived once more, and have been spotted on chic casual ensembles of celebrities, along with sleep and elegant party gowns.
Read on to learn of these timeless pieces’ history and you will see exactly why they have resurfaced on the wrists of the fashionable and famous.
What is a Tennis Bracelet? How Exactly Did The Tennis Bracelet Get Its Name?
Tennis bracelets, as we had mentioned above are lightweight pieces of wrist jewelry that peaked in popularity in the late 1980s and have regained prominence in the recent past.
A standard tennis bracelet is known for its flexible structure and symmetrical pattern of diamonds. This flexibility is why the piece was a go-to choice for athletes who led active lifestyles as sportspeople and wanted to carry on stylishly.
The patterns of tennis bracelets have since evolved from the standard form, and they now come in a broad range of styles and sizes to choose from.
The origin of the name of this bracelet is traced back to an incident at the 1987 US Open. Chris Evert, an exemplary American tennis player who won 18 Grand Slam titles between the years 1972 and 1989 suddenly asked for her game to be paused after she discovered that her single-diamond band bracelet went missing after a particularly strong swing.
The umpire consented to this request and play stopped until the bracelet was located.
This odd incident raked up so much attention that the jewelry piece came to be known as the diamond tennis bracelet since!
Types Of Tennis Bracelets
Ever since the Chris Evert incident in 1987, the classic diamond tennis bracelet has gained multiple avatars. The simple yellow gold set with a single bank of diamonds has evolved to include rubies, garnets, and amethysts to break the uniform white sparkle of diamonds.
The other kinds of tennis bracelets involve variations in the number of rows of stones, and also variations in the setting i.e.e the use of prongs, channels or bezels. These ‘settings’ hold the stones in places and each offers a different look. For a quick refresher:
- prongs usually use 3-4 prongs to secure the stone,
- channels are thin metal that holds the stone on either side and fit them close together, and
- bezels are settings of that metal surrounding the stone, much like a watch head.
Each setting offers a different amount of light to dance off the stone and thus each of them has a different look. Pick the bracelet that appeals to you most based on your personal sense of style and preference.
History of Tennis Bracelets
The history of tennis bracelets continues today and its legacy lives on the wrists of athletes, actors, and socialites alike.
Who would have thought this innocuous piece of sporty elegance would have become as popular as it is now, decades since the Evert incident? Their versatility as everyday pieces of jewelry along with a special night out makes it an appealing purchase for all jewelry lovers.
Things To Consider When Buying Tennis Bracelets
When choosing a bracelet, consider two important aspects i.e, your lifestyle and the width of your wrist. Athletes who wish to wear the tennis bracelet as a tribute to Chris Evert must ensure that the clasp of the piece is strong and can withstand aggressive physical movement, lest they have to pause their upcoming matches to hunt for their missing jewelry.
With regard to wrists and arm size, stylists state that slender wrists are more suited to a simple and single band of diamonds to create the classic tennis bracelet. On the other hand, broader wrists are a better fit for thicker and bolder bracelets with larger stones.
Also, ensure that the bracelet fits comfortably! Ideally, you should be able to fit only one finger between your skin and the bracelet. Wear the bracelet once acquired on your non-dominant hand to assure you of maximum comfort.
These bracelets could make thoughtful and lovely gifts for your loved ones on their birthday, anniversary, or any other special milestone. With time, jewelers now also have different variants for those that prefer unisex wrist jewelry.
Whether it is the wrist of Queen Elizabeth II or pop icons Jennifer Lopez, or you, these pieces are all the rage, and rightfully so. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and get a dazzling diamond tennis bracelet accessory and rest assured that this trend of the season will never go out of style.
