Tennis Bracelets

When tennis legend Chris Evert broke her delicate bracelet of gold and pave-set diamonds during the 1987 US Open, the tennis bracelet was born. People had been buying similar bracelets for decades, the intricate setting of a series of gemstones, particularly diamonds, in yellow or white gold was already popular – but the day Chris Evert went scampering around, plucking her diamonds from the surface of the court, the simple bracelet became a legend.

Tennis bracelets are extremely popular gifts for special occasions – from birthdays and anniversaries to Christmas, women love to receive them because of the fashion status they represent. The tennis bracelet is fashionable, elegant and timeless – it isn’t like other accessories or items of jewellery that come and go, it’s here to stay.

And it’s easy to see why women adore the tennis bracelet. Long ago, they were known as eternity bracelets, and though the name has changed, the general characteristics have remained the same: small, symmetrical gems set in continuous links of barely-visible precious metal to form a narrow, flexible chain. No charms, no bells, no trinkets – just diamonds.

But even the iconic tennis bracelet is open to some variation. For example, round gemstones are most popular, but the stones do take other shapes. Also, white and yellow gold are most popular for tennis bracelets, but rose and sage gold also make a showing and some of the most expensive tennis bracelets are based in platinum settings. The settings themselves vary from bracelet to bracelet, claw, bezel, partial bezel and channel settings are all popular. And finally, the gemstones themselves; though diamonds are the traditional favourite, birthstones come a close second and it is popular to have an alternating pattern of colours as well.

As tennis bracelets are among the most expensive bracelets to purchase, it is exceptionally important to exercise caution when shopping for one online. There are good bargains to be found, but it’s key to know what you’re looking for, have an accurate measurement of the woman’s wrist and receive a confirmation of both the seller’s return policy and the authenticity of the gemstones in the bracelet you’ve chosen.