Top 10 Designs of Tennis Bracelets

If you’ve ever wanted to up your fashion game, then a tennis bracelet is just what you need! A tennis bracelet is an essential piece of jewellery that adds a little sparkle and style to any outfit. But don’t be fooled – it’s not just another pretty accessory.

This iconic piece of bling isn’t called a “tennis bracelet” for nothing. The name was first coined during a match between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova in 1987 when Evert’s diamond bracelet broke off her wrist and caused her to call for a timeout so she could retrieve it from the court.

The History

Tennis tournament season is upon us. Australian Open has just finished and the women’s U.S. Open is coming soon. So it’s now the best time to search for a tennis bracelet – a beautiful and sophisticated piece of jewellery that comes with a meaningful story.

During the U.S Open match in 1987, professional tennis player, Chris Evert wore a diamond eternity bracelet in a highly competitive game, which was an exceptionally long rally. Halfway into the game, Chris Evert requested for a timeout. It was because the diamond bracelet that she was wearing has broken and fallen off her wrist.  The force of Evert’s swing sent her diamond eternity bracelet soaring off her wrist. This brought the match to a standstill, so that a search can be carried out, the piece was recovered.

Answering at an interview after the match, she called the diamond eternity bracelet “Tennis Bracelet”.

Since that day, the iconic name was born.

How to Wear Tennis Bracelet Safely

This Evert’s incident brought Tennis Bracelet into the national spotlight and worldwide platform, sales of the bracelet surged.

GIA Gemologist Amanda Koo suggests a few ways so you can wear your bracelet without fear:

1. In addition to the clasp, request for an additional safety catch on the side of the bracelet for added security
2. Send in the tennis bracelet to be checked routinely by an experienced jeweller to make sure the clasp, safety catch, and mountings are still secured. eClarity diamonds provides lifetime diamond check by Jewellery Expert for every eClarity bracelet
3. Periodic cleaning keep the diamond claws free of hardened particles that might weaken the holding of diamonds.
4. Consider carefully if you should really wear the Tennis Bracelet for a tennis game, or a romantic dinner.

Tennis Bracelet Designs

There are three different types of settings to choose from: prong, channel and bezel. Each type of setting holds the diamonds securely in place on the bracelet and changes the level of light reflection and overall look and feel.

You also need to consider if you like the diamonds of the bracelets to fill up full circle, half circle, or anything in between.

Below, we will share the top 10 tennis bracelet and its variants, that will give you a grand hand at the grandstand.

1. 2 Prongs

In this setting, 2 prongs per diamond are used to hold the stone in place. It’s a popular choice as it is secure but allows as much light as possible to pass through the diamond.

2. 3 prongs

A 3 prongs tennis bracelet has three extended metal pieces at the side of each stone, creating a triangular housing.

The clasp of this bracelet deserves a special mention, it is hidden behind a special butterfly shaped cluster diamonds.

3. 4 prongs

A 4 prongs tennis bracelet has four tiny metallic beads at the sides of each stone on the bracelet, forming a squarish housing. The 4 prongs tennis bracelet with its square shape brings timeless and extravagant continuous free-flowing diamond chain.

4. Channel Bracelet

This design features two thin rows of metal holding the diamonds in the middle, and the diamonds fit tightly together. The metal secures and protect the diamonds, but it can limit sparkle obstructing light.

5. Full Circle/ Half Circle

A full circle gives complete sparkle from angles 360 degrees, a half circle gives the same sparkle from the top with nearly half the price.

6. Bezel

Bezel set tennis bracelet features each of the diamond surrounded completely by metal. This setting is very safe as they keep each diamond safely in place. However, this design tends to highlight the metal as much as the diamonds and minimize the diamond’s sparkle because of the reduced refraction of light.

7. Graduating Sizes or Clustered or Solitaire Diamonds

To have a more centralized attraction focus, there could be a centre piece which is bigger in size.

8. Halo

Halo tennis bracelet features centre diamonds surrounded by small diamonds in each bracelet link. This design creates an elegant look and increases sparkle.

9. Rose Gold

Changing metal colors is one way to create a different variety of tennis bracelets. You can always customize the color of tennis bracelets to rose gold, yellow gold, champagne gold or even two-tone color according to your taste.

10. Different Shape of Diamond

Another way to change up the look of a tennis bracelet is to choose the diamond shape other than round. This shape is the most popular, and most tennis bracelets feature round diamonds. However, think of shapes like oval, emerald, princess, marquise or pear for a unique, stylish look.

What Are The Important Factors To Consider Before Buying Tennis Bracelets

Tennis bracelets are a timeless piece of jewellery, perfect for any occasion. But before you rush off to the store to buy one, there are some important factors to consider so you can make sure to get the best bracelet for your needs!

Design

When it comes to design, there are lots of options available. Some bracelets have intricate designs with diamonds or gemstones in them, while others are simpler and more understated. You should think about what kind of statement you want your bracelet to make. 

Do you prefer something bold and flashy or would you rather opt for a more subtle piece? Consider the sizes as well; some bracelets are thicker and chunkier than others.

Materials 

Tennis bracelets come in a variety of materials, from gold to silver and everything in between. Depending on your preferences and budget, this can be a major factor in determining which bracelet you choose. 

If you’re looking for something more affordable, silver or stainless steel bracelets may be the way to go. But if you want something luxurious and timeless, then gold or platinum will be your best bet.

Gemstones

Next up is gemstones. If you’re looking for a sparkly piece, you must consider the quality of the gem. The clarity and cut of the stones will have a large impact on how much light they will reflect, so you should aim to buy only high-grade gems from a reputable vendor.

Quality 

The quality of the bracelet is another important factor to consider when shopping for a tennis bracelet. Look for high-quality diamonds and gemstones, as well as details such as clasps and clasp closures that are made with precision and care. 

Poorly crafted bracelets will have weak clasps that can fail over time, so make sure you go with a higher quality piece if possible.

Price 

As with any purchase, price is always an important factor to consider when buying a tennis bracelet. Of course, the exact cost will depend on the materials and design of the bracelet, but it’s important to make sure that you are getting a good value for your money. 

Do some research online to compare prices and look out for discounts or special offers that you may be able to take advantage of.

The right tennis bracelet is an investment piece that can last a lifetime, so it’s important to do your homework before making any purchases. Consider all the factors above and you’re sure to find the perfect bracelet for you.

How to Assess the Quality of a Tennis Bracelet

There are two things you should consider when determining a diamond tennis bracelet’s quality. The bracelet’s type of metal and quality of the diamonds are the two determining factors.

The type of metal, quantity, and size of the diamonds all affect how much a tennis bracelet costs. The starting price for a tennis bracelet is about $2,500, and prices can rise dramatically from there. Tennis bracelets with 1.5 carats worth of diamonds costing less money than those with 3 carats worth of diamonds costing more money.

There are various metals available for tennis bracelets. The most popular metals include platinum, sterling silver, rose gold, white gold, and yellow, rose, and white gold.

There is no “best” metal for a tennis bracelet. Instead, each material has a unique feel and appearance that may make it better suited to you. Durability is an important consideration when selecting a material for a tennis bracelet because you’ll often wear one frequently.

For daily wear, platinum, sterling silver, rose gold, white gold, and yellow gold in the 14K and 18K ranges are all more than durable enough.

How To Determine Sizing For A Tennis Bracelet

Measuring the wearer’s wrist is one of the simplest ways to determine the proper size for a diamond tennis bracelet. If you don’t have access to a measuring tape, you can wrap some yarn or ribbon around the person’s wrist, cut it to size, and then measure it.

Use whichever measuring tool you like, but always make sure to round up your overall measurement by between half and one inch. If the wrist is six inches, for instance, think about a 6.5 or 7 inch bracelet.

If you’re purchasing the tennis bracelet as a gift and don’t know the person’s wrist size, start by using 7-7.5 as a starting guide. This is the most popular bracelet size for women. If you think the recipient has smaller or larger wrists than the average person, adjust up or down accordingly.

Tennis bracelets are  adjustable by removing a link to shorten the chain, so it’s not as critical to get the size just right as it is for an engagement ring or other jewellery items.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tennis Bracelets