The Complete Guide to Tennis Bracelets
A tennis bracelet is a single row of individually set diamonds linked together in a continuous line. It is one of the most recognisable pieces of diamond jewellery and one of the most versatile. Here is everything you need to know.
Where does the name come from?
The term dates back to 1987 when tennis player Chris Evert lost her diamond bracelet during a match at the US Open and asked officials to pause play while she found it. The press picked up the story and the name stuck.
What to look for
The quality of a tennis bracelet comes down to three things: the diamonds, the metal and the clasp.
For diamonds, consistency matters more than individual stone quality. Every diamond in the bracelet should be closely matched in colour, clarity and size so the line appears uniform. A single stone that is noticeably different in colour or brilliance will stand out.
For metal, 14K or 18K gold and 950 platinum are the standard choices. The setting type is usually prong (each stone held by small metal claws) or bezel (each stone surrounded by a thin metal rim). Prong settings show more of the diamond and let more light in. Bezel settings are more secure and have a sleeker profile.
The clasp is critical. A good tennis bracelet has a secure box clasp with a safety latch. You do not want it falling off your wrist.
Sizing
Tennis bracelets should fit snugly but not tight. You want to be able to slide a finger between the bracelet and your wrist. Most standard lengths are 7 inches (18cm) for women. At Luma, our bracelets are made to order, so you can specify your size.
How to style a tennis bracelet
Tennis bracelets work on their own or stacked. A single bracelet with a watch is a classic pairing. Two or three bracelets of different widths stacked together creates a more layered look. They transition easily from daytime to evening without needing to change.
Why lab grown makes sense for tennis bracelets
Tennis bracelets use a lot of diamonds. A typical bracelet might contain 40 to 60 stones. With mined diamonds, this pushes the price into thousands quickly. With lab grown diamonds, you get the same quality and appearance at a fraction of the cost. This is one of the categories where the value difference is most dramatic.
Browse our full bracelet collection to see what is available.
