History of Tennis Bracelet: Facts You Will Want to Know
To date, tennis bracelets have been a delicate and durable jewelry. They are a must-have in many women’s jewelry boxes.
But why are gold bracelets with diamonds called “tennis bracelets”?
And, how can I choose a bracelet that fits my wrist type?
Let’s take a look at the details of this beautiful and timeless jewelry piece.
What Is a Tennis Bracelet?
A tennis bracelet is a delicate and classic bracelet with a simple symmetrical pattern.
It is also known as a diamond bracelet.
However, there are countless variations of precious metals and settings these days.
With a wide range of widths, you can choose from wide gold bracelets, narrow ones, and large and small diamonds or other types of stones.
Tennis Bracelet History
“Tennis bracelet” is an interesting name for this simple piece of jewelry.
So, why is a tennis bracelet called a tennis bracelet?
The name “tennis bracelet” comes from Chris Evert, a professional tennis player who was active between 1972 and 1989.
Evert lost a diamond bracelet designed by George Bedewi at the 1978 US Open.
The clasp came off and the bracelet came off.
Evert immediately asked to suspend the game until she found the diamond bracelet.
Since that day, this type of diamond bracelet has come to be called a tennis bracelet.
Many famous tennis players, like Serena Williams, also love tennis bracelets.
By the way, the pause of the game did not adversely affect the results. Second place in the world ranking, Evert won the tournament for the fourth time.
Tennis Bracelets and Tennis Players
The bracelet Evert wore during the match was made by renowned jewelry designer, George Bedewi.
It was a line bracelet set with diamonds.
In this case, diamonds are decorated in a traditional style and set in a simple setting.
However, this type of bracelet is also nice to set with coloured stones or a combination of diamonds and coloured gemstones.
The nation’s attention to the case of Evert has led to a surge in sales of this timeless bracelet, and the jewelry has forever remained known as a “tennis bracelet”.
You may be wondering if it’s a good idea to wear a tennis bracelet during a tennis match, with Evert’s famous case in the back of your mind.
So, here are some tips from GIA experts that will give you a peace of mind when you wear your bracelet to your next match.
- In addition to the original clasp, attach a safety catch to the bracelet rim for extra protection.
- Have your jeweller inspect your tennis bracelet on a regular basis to make sure the clasp, safety catch, and pedestal are securely attached.
- Clean your bracelet regularly to keep your diamond shining.
Almost 30 years after Evert’s unforgettable tennis court incident, tennis bracelets are still beloved as sophisticated fashion accessories.
Tennis Bracelets and Diamonds
Tennis bracelets are so popular that there are so many in the market that do not belong to a big brand.
The price of such unbranded tennis bracelets is lower than that of expensive brands.
Depending on your preference, you might want to choose good quality stones or metals over brand name.
Types of Tennis Bracelets
TYPES OF STONES
DIAMOND
Diamonds are the most common types of stones set in tennis bracelets.
There are many different types of diamond cuts that can be set in tennis bracelets.
Square cut diamonds are classic and provide maximum shine.
However, a round cut exudes a sense of femininity and can look very charming.
SAPPHIRES, EMERALDS AND RUBIES
Diamonds are colourless.
So, if you want to add some colour to your bracelet, you might want to choose some coloured gemstones.
Blue sapphires look elegant and timeless. Its rich dark colour exudes a subtle sense of sophistication.
Beautiful green emeralds are captivating while red rubies are eye-catching.
If you find a whole row of coloured gemstones too much, you might want to opt for a bracelet that alternates between a clear diamond and a coloured gemstone.
CUBIC ZIRCONIA
Cubic zirconias look just like diamonds.
However, they don’t carry that exorbitant price tag.
If you’re looking for an affordable but high-quality alternative to the traditional diamond tennis bracelet, you might want to choose one studded with cubic zirconia.
TYPES OF METALS
PLATINUM
Platinum is said to “give off a pure white shine forever” because it never deteriorates or discolours in everyday life.
Platinum jewelry is extremely resistant to heat and acid and will not deteriorate with activities in daily life, like hand-washing or bathing.
You can continue regular activities without worrying much about your jewelry coming into contact with household cleaning agents like bleach, shampoo, conditioner, etc.
However, people often think that platinum is a very hard metal, but it is actually a supple and malleable metal.
Because it is so supple, it can still get scratched easily.
WHITE GOLD
White gold is platinum-coated gold.
Regardless of the proportion of gold, whether it is 10K or 14K, the surface looks exactly the same because it is coated in the same material.
If you’re looking for a pure white metal, platinum may be a better option.
With prolonged wear, once the platinum chips off the gold, the underlying metal will be exposed.
YELLOW GOLD
The greater the proportion of gold, whether it is 10K or 14K, the surface has the same colour since it is coated.
ROSE GOLD
The higher the proportion of gold, the lower the proportion of copper.
This results in a warmer shade.
If you like rose gold with a strong pink, you can choose 10K gold.
SILVER
Pure silver is highly malleable and since it is too soft to use in jewelry, other metals re introduced into the composition to give it strength and durability.
For jewelry, the most widely-used silver alloy is sterling silver.
Sterling silver, also referred to as 925 silver, is composed of 92.5 silver. The remaining 7.5% is made up of other trace metal alloys to give it its rigidity.
The small amount of non-silver material added to the sterling silver is so insignificant that it does not affect the silver’s original colour.
STAINLESS STEEL
Stainless steel does not ionize easily because his material does not rust easily.
Stainless steel is an alloy of different materials that can cause allergies, like nickel and cobalt.
Although potential allergens are included in the metal, stainless steel is still considered a good hypoallergenic material.
Why?
By compounding them so that they don’t rust easily, these metal ions are not reactive therefore minimizing the possibility of metal allergies.
ROWS OF STONES
SINGLE ROW
The most common type of tennis bracelet is one that features a row of shining gemstones.
Tennis bracelets with a single row of gemstones are subtle, which makes it a good everyday jewelry.
DOUBLE ROWS
Tennis bracelets with two rows of gemstones are much more noticeable than a single row.
They make great jewelry for more formal occasions.
THREE ROWS
Tennis bracelets with three rows or more are very eye-catching.
They don’t make great jewelry for everyday wear.
However, with rows and rows of diamonds or other gemstones, they give off a beautiful shine.
The price of a tennis bracelet featuring three rows of diamonds can be very costly.
You might want to opt for another stone like cubic zirconia instead.
Conclusion
What did you think?
There are countless variations of precious metals, settings and stones used to make your tennis bracelet uniquely yours.
We hope you use the information here to find the perfect one!
