Game, set and match: Beautiful tennis bracelets to buy now
Wimbledon Fever may be fleeting but these tennis-inspired diamonds are forever
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If you’ve ever wondered where the term ‘tennis bracelets’ comes from, you’re probably not alone. After all, what does a simple string of (usually) square-cut diamonds have to do with racket sports? The name was actually coined in the 1970s thanks to American tennis star Chris Evert who, while rising through the ranks, became known for her signature diamond bracelet.
Wearing jewellery on court, especially something as extravagant as a diamond line bracelet, was practically unheard of at the time and the style’s popularity soared in alignment with Evert’s own athletic rise. Evert would go on to win 18 Grand Slam titles but perhaps her most famous moment came when her tennis bracelet broke during a particularly long rally at the US Open. Evert refused to continue playing until her jewellery was found causing officials to halt a highly competitive match.
However, despite not attaining their modern nomenclature until the Seventies, diamond line or eternity bracelets have been popular since the 1920s, when they were often worn as stacks by society’s most glamorous denizens. Simple in design and timeless in appeal, there are few investments better guaranteed to become heirlooms than a classic tennis bracelet. Here are some of the best to buy now.
Blackacre 3ct Tennis bracelet
Every jewellery piece at Blackacre has been meticulously crafted from the highest quality, ethically sourced materials. This 18ct white gold tennis bracelet is no exception – featuring a row of dazzling round brilliant-cut diamonds guaranteed to attract admiring glances. A classic piece that is minimalist but inherently elegant and timeless, it’ll be hard to beat.
Harry Winston aquamarine and diamond tennis bracelet
It makes sense that the ‘King of Diamonds’ should do a fine line in tennis bracelets and, alongside numerous iterations of the traditional diamond line, it also offers some more unusual interpretations. My favourite is this diamond and aquamarine bracelet set in platinum: the sparkling white diamonds set against the sky blue of the aquamarines is the absolute essence of summer.
Graff Classic tennis bracelet
While they may be best known for their sporty associations, the aforementioned elegance and timelessness of a tennis bracelet also makes them brilliant gifts for big milestones. Graff eschews classic round or square-cut diamonds for heart-shaped stones in this design ideal for weddings and anniversaries.
De Beers Aura diamond line bracelet
Looking for some serious sparkle? So popular are De Beers’ diamond line designs that it has an entire section of its website dedicated to them – and the options are astonishing. From classic single threads to multiple stacks of shimmering stones, there’s plenty to delight even the most ardent magpies. Take, for example, this cushion-cut Aura bracelet, featuring 446 individual diamonds set in dazzling 18ct white gold.
Mejuri diamond tennis bracelet
If your budget doesn’t quite run into the tens of thousands, Mejuri’s subtle but spectacular take on the tennis bracelet is a more wallet-friendly piece that epitomises its everyday luxury ethos. Available in four lengths, each is handmade using 18k yellow or white gold and up to 1.221 carats of ethically sourced diamonds.
Or & Elle George Riviere tennis bracelet
Created in collaboration with Meaghan Cox, chief brand officer at California-based lifestyle brand Jenni Kayne, Or & Elle’s George Riviere bracelet features a string of graduated D-colour lab-grown diamonds of IF/VVS quality. Each is held in place by a three-prong solitaire 18ct gold setting guaranteeing maximum sparkle.
Suzanne Kalan tennis bracelet
Suzanne Kalan has applied her irreverent way with fine stones to bring the traditional tennis bracelet firmly into the 21st century. Instead of a neat row of identically sized diamonds, Kalan’s modern twist sees four carats worth of baguette-cut diamonds nestled jauntily against one another in a playful, more youthful take.
Dinny Hall Shuga tennis bracelet
Tennis bracelets may traditionally feature only white diamonds but there’s no denying that cramming that many fine stones into one piece of jewellery can result in a serious price tag. If your pockets don’t run that deep, Dinny Hall’s Shuga Ombre bracelet punctuates a solid nine carat gold chain with amethyst, peridot, tsavorite, topaz and tanzanite for a colourful take perfect for summer.
Lylie Primavera diamond tennis bracelet
Lylie’s tennis bracelet is a reimagination of the jewellery houses’ Botticelli-inspired ‘primavera’ pendant, made from 14ct yellow gold and featuring 11 twinkling diamond clusters. Refined and elegant for daily wear and special occasions alike, it’s finished with a ball back setting an interlocking clasp to keep safely on your wrist.
