Classic Jewellery 101: The Tennis Bracelet

In this 101 series, we talk about “it” jewellery that are worth investing in as part of a classic capsule collection. These are the ever-wearable pieces that you can either dress up or down with and will never go out of style.

When it comes to an evergreen piece of jewellery, there has never been anything quite as wearable as a tennis bracelet.

Perhaps second only to a solitaire diamond ring of a certain heft, a tennis bracelet takes you from cinema to chic soirée in a flash (of glitter). It is as flattering with jeans as it is with a ballgown, tuxedo or indeed, tennis attire.

After all, it was tennis icon Chris Evert who popularised the classic item as we know it, given to the loose string of solitaire diamonds which she wore on her wrist during her matches in the 1980s. Her George Bedewi diamond bracelet famously broke due to a snapped clasp during a particularly heated match in the US Open. Chris had asked for the officials to stop the match until her bracelet (and any fallen diamonds) was safely recovered –– a perfectly reasonable request we think!

The incident sparked a fury of excitement as fans of Chris and followers of tennis culture descended upon stores to demand similar pieces. This prompted fine jewellers everywhere to begin crafting handmade in-line diamond wrist-wear, focusing on an extra-secure clasp and stronger hinges between the stones which were then dubbed as tennis bracelets.  

Measure Twice, Cut Once

The precision and detail that goes into the making of every piece of jewellery at Arte Oro is both an art and a science. The design and crafting of a tennis bracelet especially, require a fine eye for stone selection and an experienced hand for stone setting. When it comes to selection, the gems picked need to be of a similar enough size and placed in a way that emphasises uniformity. The measurement and spacing of the gemstones are also a crucial feature in tennis bracelets, in terms of aesthetics and functionality. Set too close, they might knock into each other with use and damage the stones; set too far apart, the bracelet looks unattractive.

And of course, as proven by Chris Evert, the hinges of the bracelet need to be both secure, yet comfortable to wear.

A tennis bracelet is meant to hang gracefully from the wrist of the wearer –– not too long or too tight and follow the motions and gestures of the hand as the gems sparkle delightfully with each witty point made. 

For this magic to happen, the setting of the stones must be neat and smooth; our craftsman meticulously ensures the hinges holding the bracelet together lie exactly in between the setting of the stones in order to follow any good jeweller’s first mantra: "Measure twice, cut once!"

Make your tennis bracelet special

Although the traditional tennis bracelet is commonly made with white diamonds, there is absolutely no rule against using coloured stones to suit your fabulous style and personality!

We’ve made tennis bracelets for different customers who have wanted them for different reasons and to suit different wearers or recipients. The piece below is a classic beauty, made up of 21 Oval, D Colour, Flawless diamonds set in white gold.

The story of how the diamonds were acquired may seem perfunctory: the stones were selling at a great value and the buyer saw them as a great addition to his gem portfolio. 

Yet instead of acquiring them to lie hidden in his safe, he decided to have them made into a bracelet with a set of matching earrings for his wife to wear for her enjoyment and delight. This was a happy win for both savvy investor and his beloved!

Choosing to set the white diamonds into these classic pieces will also enable the stones to be easily taken apart for sale if so desired, or even reset with other gems as other pieces of jewellery in the future –– a perfect plan for their children and grandchildren.

However, the tennis bracelet style can also be an effortless style to showcase a selection of fine coloured gemstones.

This fun take on a classic piece uses Peridot and Sapphire. By keeping to a simple bi-colour palette, the piece remains classy yet unique. Worn with matching earrings as a set also keeps your look dressy and glamorous.

If you’re beginning to put together pieces for a jewellery collection, consider starting with the simple tennis bracelet that packs a punch in both style and substance.