All About Tennis Bracelets

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All About Tennis Bracelets

Tennis bracelets, also called inline bracelets, are composed of a symmetrical pattern of diamonds or gemstones, connected by a thin, precious metal chain. Typically, the stones included in these bracelets are the same size, shape, color and clarity as each other. Tennis bracelets are one of the most popular types of fine jewelry. They can be worn every day, dressed up or down, as a staple in a woman’s jewelry wardrobe.

yellow gold diamond tennis bracelet 

Why Are They Called Tennis Bracelets?

It was only in 1987 that the name "tennis bracelet" became a common term. This is because the famous professional tennis player Chris Evert lost her diamond bracelet during a match. She said "I dropped my tennis bracelet" when she noticed it was missing and asked the officials to stop her match until it could be found. This drew a lot of attention to the design and ever since that day, inline diamond bracelets have been named "tennis bracelets".

What Should I Consider When Buying a Tennis Bracelet?

A diamond tennis bracelet is a treasure you can wear, and like diamond stud earrings, it's the perfect accessory for anyone who loves jewelry. Their versatility makes them an excellent addition to any jewelry box. When shopping for a diamond tennis bracelet in Boca Raton, there are a few different options to consider; such as setting, metal color and stone characteristics. 

 

TENNIS BRACELET SETTINGS 

There are 3 basic types of settings found in tennis bracelets: bezel, channel and prong. Each one of these settings has a unique look to them and all setting types are equally secure; it is only a matter of preference.
  • Bezel And Half/Semi Bezel Setting: Bezel settings feature a circle mount that holds each diamond in place by wrapping the rim of the diamond in a complete metal edging. Half/Semi bezel setting is a bezel setting except that it only surrounds approximately half of the edge of the diamond rather than the entirety of it.
  • Channel Setting: A channel setting consists of two rows of thin metal on either side, with the stones down the middle. This causes the gemstones to sit in a seamless line right next to each other.
  • Prong Setting: This is one of the more popular settings available for tennis bracelets. In the prong setting, the metal holds the stone in place on all four sides. This setting allows as much light as possible to pass through the diamonds. 

TENNIS BRACELET METAL COLORS 

The four main metal colors and types that are used for tennis bracelets are:

  1. White gold (14 karat or 18 karat)
  2. Yellow gold (14 karat or 18 karat)
  3. Rose gold (14 karat or 18 karat)
  4. Platinum

When choosing the type of material for your tennis bracelet, the main two things to keep in consideration are color and budget.  

TENNIS BRACELET STONE CHARACTERISTICS 

When buying a tennis bracelet, look for the traditional characteristics that you would look for when choosing a diamond: color, cut, clarity and carat weight.
  • COLOR -  Although a traditional tennis bracelet is usually set with white diamonds, fancy colored diamonds or gemstones can make a beautiful tennis bracelet. This will give it a more contemporary look than the classic white diamonds. We love mixing white diamonds with other precious gemstones such as sapphires, rubies, or emeralds as the white stones are beautifully contrasted against these colored stones.
  • CUT -  The most common diamond cut for tennis bracelets is the round cut. Although, any of the cut styles are available such as emerald, cushion, princess, pear, marquise, etc.
  • CLARITY -  If you are reviewing the diamonds yourself, make sure they offer brilliance (this means that light reflects, creating sparkle). You should also check that the diamonds used in the bracelet look eye clean (this means that they don’t have any noticeable blemishes) and that the stones look white in relation to the setting. 
  • CARAT WEIGHT - Tennis bracelets use multiple small diamonds, therefore they are measured in total carat weight rather than by the size of the largest diamonds. We recommend choosing a diamond size that complements your wrist size. 

white gold blue sapphire and diamond tennis bracelet

How Should a Tennis Bracelet Fit?

Tennis bracelets are supposed to have a relaxed and somewhat casual fit. They should not be like bangles, where they sit low on the hand, but equally they shouldn’t be tight against the skin. Instead, tennis bracelets should allow the wearer to slip one finger between the bracelet and their wrist.

A lot of tennis bracelets can be resized, with the diamond links being removable so that the bracelet can be made to have a tighter fit. You certainly don’t want a Chris Evert situation on your hands, where your bracelet slides off. Especially if you plan on wearing it while doing active things like actually playing tennis (which we definitely do not recommend). If indeed the tennis bracelet you purchased or received is too large and you need some of it removed, a lot of our clients utilize those extra diamonds by making them into another piece of jewelry. Whether it be a dainty ring or a cluster pendant, depending on how many stones are removed, there are definitely a few great options to choose from. We then melt the gold from the bracelet that the diamonds were held in and credit that towards the new piece of jewelry that we are designing for you. After all, custom jewelry design is our specialty at Devon's Diamonds & Decor!

 white gold diamond tennis bracelet

When Should I Buy a Tennis Bracelet?

Tennis bracelets are a timeless addition to any jewelry collection, which is why they are often given on special occasions. A diamond tennis bracelet can make a perfect gift for any of the following occasions:

  • Anniversary
  • Wedding day
  • Birth of a child  ("Push Gift")
  • Valentine’s Day
  • Birthday 
  • Graduation
  • Retirement
  • Christmas, Hanukkah, or other holidays 

Where Do I Buy a Tennis Bracelet in Boca Raton?

Jewelry is often a gift, and for people looking to give a loved one a piece of diamond jewelry, a tennis bracelet may be just the thing. They are a design that will never go out of style and it is the kind of jewelry that will be passed on through generations. Make sure you take the time to look at the different types of tennis bracelets that are available so you can choose the right style and setting that you prefer. When shopping for a diamond tennis bracelet at Devon's Diamonds & Decor in Boca Raton, we can provide a variety of tennis bracelets in different shapes, sizes and colors. 
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