The tennis bracelet is a classic and elegant piece of jewelry. It makes the perfect addition to a jewelry collection for anyone looking to adorn their wrist with a bit of sparkle. Here’s what you need to know about tennis bracelets and how their name came about.
What Is a Tennis Bracelet?
A tennis bracelet is a ring of diamonds that endlessly goes around the wrist. They are usually secured by prongs and consist of interlinked diamonds. The bracelet is made of many diamonds; therefore, they can be pretty expensive. Other precious gems such as sapphires, rubies, and emeralds are also sometimes featured with diamonds in tennis bracelets. In general, these bracelets fit so they don’t slip off your wrist but can still move freely.
Why Are They Called Tennis Bracelets?
The original name of the tennis bracelet was an eternity bracelet since they look like eternity rings. It wasn’t until 1987 that they received their new title during the U.S. Olympic Games. During an intense tennis match, three-time Wimbledon champion Chris Evert’s diamond bracelet had gone missing. She desperately tried to find it and dramatically asked officials to stop the game. After the incident, she was asked about her bling in an interview and said it was her “tennis bracelet.” Sales of tennis bracelets immediately soared, and this event forever changed the bracelet’s name.
How to Buy a Tennis Bracelet
There is much less difficulty shopping for tennis bracelets than for other diamond jewelry. Decide on your budget before you shop for tennis bracelets. Considering tennis bracelets are encrusted with diamonds, they have hefty price tags. You should expect to pay at least $2,000 for a quality tennis bracelet. After you decide the budget, you will need to choose a setting.
Just like engagement rings, there are different settings available with tennis bracelets, including bezel settings, prong settings, and channel settings.
Prong Settings
Diamonds are held in place by small metal tips in a prong setting. This is how tennis bracelets are typically designed, and probably what you picture.
Bezel Settings
By encircling the diamond’s sides with precious metal, a bezel setting secures it. This setting will likely ensure that you don’t lose any precious stones.
Channel Settings
Diamonds are set in channel settings with precious metal strips between them.
The settings affect the bracelet’s appearance, so select the setting that appeals to you most. Prong and channel settings are also extremely safe because the metal surrounds the diamond, securing it in place. Bezel settings are the safest because the metal covers the diamonds on all sides.
Which Is Metal Best for a Tennis Bracelet?
You can make a tennis bracelet from sterling silver, white gold, yellow gold, or platinum. Not all metal is created equal. You may want to stay away from sterling silver. Choose a metal that suits your budget and personal taste. However, sometimes you get what you pay for. For example, platinum is the strongest and most expensive option.
How to Ensure Your Tennis Bracelet Will Not Fall Off
You should always make sure the bracelet you purchase has a safety clasp. Otherwise, you could end up like Chris Evert!
A safety box clasp is featured on most tennis bracelets. Don’t worry; it’s not difficult to take off if you’re wondering. The clasp is released simply by pressing the small latch on a bracelet with a box clasp safety.
Ensure the safety clasp and setting on the tennis bracelet is secure before buying it from the jeweler. Make sure you clean your tennis bracelet regularly to ensure maximum brilliance.
A Guide to Determining the Size of a Tennis Bracelet
It’s not as critical to get the size exactly right for a tennis bracelet as for an engagement ring, as you can shorten the chain by removing a link. Since a tennis bracelet is a row of diamonds, you will want to get as close as possible in size to save on cost.
Measuring a person’s wrist is an easy way to determine the correct size of a diamond tennis bracelet. You can use a piece of yarn or ribbon to wrap around their wrist if you don’t have a measuring tape, and then cut it to size and measure it later.
To determine the size of your bracelet, add between half an inch and one inch to your total measurement, regardless of the measuring tool you use. A bracelet measuring 6.5 or 7 inches would be appropriate if the wrist measures six inches.
When buying a tennis bracelet as a gift, start by using the wrist size of 7-7.5. These are the most popular sizes among women. Make sure you adjust the wrist size up or down if you think the recipient has smaller or larger wrists.