Diamond Tennis Bracelets: A Buying Guide

Why Is It Called a Tennis Bracelet?

The term "tennis" was actually first applied to a bracelet in this style during a US Open match.  The American tennis player Chris Evert wore a delicate and flexible single-strand diamond bracelet. During play, it was thrown from her wrist. She famously stopped the competition and refused to restart play until the bracelet was located and found. After this widely publicized event, the term "tennis" was used to describe this jewelry style for both bracelets and necklaces.

When did this event take place? In an article for The Adventurine, Marion Fasel pins down the actual year of this US Open match to 1978.

How to Buy a Diamond Tennis Bracelet

There are a few things to take into consideration to ensure you purchase the right diamond tennis bracelet for you. For example, is this going to be a special occasion-only bracelet? Or would you like to wear it everyday? Do you want it to be delicate and understated? Or do you want it to get noticed? These questions will help you determine the size of the bracelet, the design, and the type of prong setup for durability.

The next, and often most important, aspect to consider is budget. If you have a smaller budget, consider a laboratory-grown tennis bracelet or a natural diamond bracelet that is under 1CTW. If you do have a larger budget, think about how you want to spend most of your money. Do you want to focus on the size of the stones or would you prefer a more intricate design? 

Our friend Angela recently bought a 3 carat lab grown diamond bracelet from James Allen. Check out the difference in price between the natural and lab grown diamond bracelet:

Lastly, all of the bracelets mentioned below will have some sort of clasp as well as a second "safety" clasp. We move our hands so much and our wrist comes into contact with hard surfaces like tables, counters, and keyboards. You want to make sure that your tennis bracelet stays nice and secure. 

Can You Wear a Diamond Tennis Bracelet Every Day?

The right diamond tennis bracelet can add a touch of glamour to any outfit. A diamond tennis bracelet with a strong clasp and 4 prong setting is ideal piece for everyday wear. After all, these bracelets are built to withstand even the most intense of tennis matches. 

If you are looking for a touch of bling to add to your wardrobe, tennis bracelets are the right choice. Most people think of tennis bracelets as only a "special occasion" piece, but that is far from the truth. If you do want to wear your bracelet every day to work, some bracelets are going to be a better choice. 

Find this Bracelet

This first diamond tennis bracelet is a fantastic option for an everyday bracelet. Blue Nile is one of the few online retailers that offer a 1CTW earth-mined diamond tennis bracelet. 1CTW is a fantastic size to have every day. Keep in mind that the diamonds are set very low with 4 prongs around each diamond. The 4 prongs give extra protection from wear and ensure you do not lose any stones. Lastly, there are two safety latches (one on each side) for extra security. 

Find this Bracelet

This second tennis bracelet is also perfect for everyday looks due to its enhanced protection of stones. Each of the 70 dazzling stones is placed into a bezel with delicate milgrain detailing. (Bezels are one of the best settings for protection and security, making this bracelet a great pick to wear all day.) A security clasp and 1.5CTW of diamonds top of this beautiful and long-lasting option. 

Tennis Bracelet Styles

Keeping it classic will never go out of style. A diamond tennis bracelet is timeless. When shopping for a bracelet that will stay in style, be realistic with your style and how careful you are with jewelry.

Find this Bracelet

When most people think of a diamond tennis bracelet, this one comes to mind. Always a classic, this bracelet features a line of diamonds set into a four-prong basket. A bracelet like this is going to give you the most options when it comes to carat weights and quality. For example, this style from James Allen comes in different metal colors. It also offers earth-mined as well as a lab-grown diamond option. Flexibility and the security of 4 prongs and a safety clasp make this bracelet design stand out. 

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A second design to consider when looking for a classic is the three-prong diamond bracelet. The three-prong, or "martini" setting above highlights each individual diamond more than the 4-prong. The setting still gives you plenty of protection and shows off each diamond without compromising the durability of the bracelet. This particular option also has an option of color and clarity and ranges from 2-10 carats total weight. 

There are plenty of ways to add bling to your diamond tennis bracelet without breaking the bank. If you have the budget, you can always go for the larger carat weights and really make a statement. Here are some tips and designs available that will also give you a big, blingy look. 

Find this Bracelet

One smart way to get some extra bling on your wrist is to opt for laboratory-grown diamonds. Laboratory-grown diamonds are chemically, optically, and physically the same as their natural counterpart; they just do not command the same price. The halo design of this bracelet creates a larger look and totals 3-carats for under $2,200 - extra bling for a smart price! 

Find this Bracelet

A bracelet like this that has multiple rows is another smart way to add bling without breaking your budget. Opting for smaller, yet more, diamonds placed next to each other gives the illusion of a single line of larger diamonds. This particular bracelet has 2 rows, totaling 5CTW for under $9,000. You still get lots of bling, but it can save you money compared to a bracelet of the same size with a single line of stones. 

Conclusion

After considering when you want to wear your bracelet and your budget, you should have a good idea of which styles will suit you best. No matter what you choose though, you can be sure that this bracelet style will last you a lifetime!