The Tennis Bracelet, Then and Now
Few pieces of jewellery are as quietly elegant as the tennis bracelet: a single, unbroken line of diamonds that moves with the wrist and catches the light with every gesture. But how did a diamond bracelet come to be named after a sport?
In this guide
- A famous moment on court
- What makes a tennis bracelet
- How to choose yours
- Caring for your tennis bracelet
1. A famous moment on court
Before the 1980s, these bracelets were known as diamond line bracelets or eternity bracelets. The story goes that during a match at the US Open, tennis champion Chris Evert's slender diamond bracelet broke and fell onto the court, and play stopped while she searched for it. The moment is most often dated to 1978.
The name "tennis bracelet" began appearing in newspapers in the mid-1980s, and it has stayed ever since.
2. What makes a tennis bracelet
A tennis bracelet is a flexible line of diamonds, usually of equal size, each set in its own link. The result is a continuous ribbon of sparkle that sits comfortably on the wrist. The same idea is now loved in tennis necklaces, too.
3. How to choose yours
- Diamond size: smaller diamonds give a delicate, everyday look, while larger diamonds create a statement piece.
- Metal: white gold for icy brilliance, yellow gold for warmth, rose gold for romance.
- Fit: a tennis bracelet should move freely without sliding far over the hand.
- Clasp: look for a secure clasp with a safety catch. Chris Evert would agree.
Explore tennis bracelets and tennis necklaces.
4. Caring for your tennis bracelet
Because a tennis bracelet is made of many small links, it is worth checking regularly. Bring yours in for a complimentary clean and check, and we will make sure every setting and the clasp are secure.
A tennis bracelet is a piece you will wear for decades, and one of our favourite gifts to give. Come and try one on at our Hay Street boutique.