Tennis bracelets, also known as "line bracelets," are thin, dainty bracelets made up of small, sparkling diamonds set closely together. The history of tennis bracelets can be traced back to the late 1970s when professional tennis player Chris Evert lost her diamond bracelet during a match at the U.S. Open. She halted the match to search for it and the incident caused a sensation in the press, leading to the name "tennis bracelet" being coined.
By the 1980s, tennis bracelets became a popular fashion trend, worn by celebrities and socialites. They were often featured in movies and television shows, and soon became a must-have accessory for many women. The trend of wearing diamonds more casually had started in the 1970s and was a shift from the previous decades when diamonds were mainly reserved for special occasions and formal events. The rise of leisure and sports culture, as well as increasing wealth and disposable income, led to more relaxed attitudes towards jewelry, and diamonds became a common accessory for everyday wear.
The design of tennis bracelets is simple and elegant, typically featuring small, round-cut diamonds set closely together in a prong setting. The bracelet is usually made of white gold or platinum, and the diamonds are usually of high quality, such as G-H color and VS clarity. Some tennis bracelets feature fancy-cut diamonds, such as princess or cushion cut, but the round-cut diamonds are the most popular.
During the 1990s, tennis bracelets became even more popular, as the demand for diamond jewelry increased. Many jewelers began to offer more affordable options, such as gold-plated tennis bracelets or bracelets with smaller, lower-quality diamonds.
Today tennis bracelets continue to be a popular choice among consumers, but there are also more variations on the market. Today’s tennis bracelets come in a variety of styles, from classic and traditional to contemporary and trendy. Some feature colored gemstones, while others feature large, statement-making diamonds. Some have multiple rows of diamonds for a more dramatic look, or a mix of diamonds and colored gemstones for added interest.
The design has also evolved, with more intricate and detailed settings, such as the micropave setting, that allows for a more secure hold of the diamonds and a continuous sparkle.
Advances in jewelry manufacturing technology and the development of new techniques and materials has allowed for the creation of even thinner and more delicate tennis bracelets.
The addition of stretch to tennis bracelets is a recent innovation. The flexible, elastic material allows the bracelets to easily slip on and off the wrist without the need for a clasp or closure, making them incredibly comfortable and easy to wear. The stretch element also adds a level of versatility to tennis bracelets, as they can be worn relaxed for a more casual look or snugly around the wrist for a secure fit. Chris Evert would surely approve!
