Have a fancy party to attend on the weekend or a super romantic lunch date? A little sparkle wrapped around your wrist will work wonders for you. Speaking of sparkling wrists, there’s nothing better than a tennis bracelet to add the right amount of oomph to any outfit.
But what exactly is a tennis bracelet and how do you buy one?
Read on to find out.
What Are Tennis Bracelets?
Tennis bracelets feature a symmetrical pattern of precious and/or semi-precious gemstones linked together with the help of a very thin precious metal chain. Interestingly, the type of gems used here typically resemble each other in terms of their shape, size, colour and clarity. However, some tennis bracelets also feature an eye-catching combination of gems.
As with most jewellery items, these accessories can be found in different variations based on their gem-setting and style. In reference to their setting, there are currently four major types of tennis bracelets. These include pieces with prong-set, channel-set, bezel-set and claw-set jewels. While securing the gemstone, every setting gives the bracelets a distinct look.
Coming to the style, these gorgeous accessories come in several designs that are sure to turn heads wherever you go. Feeling absolutely glamorous and want to take it up a notch? The halo-style tennis bracelets will offer you all that extra glam and sparkle. Here, the gemstones are typically surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds, making the piece super glittery and extraordinary. Other styles include S curl, infinity link, bamboo link, swirl and so on.
What Is a Diamond Tennis Bracelet?
As indicated by its name, this accessory features only diamonds. It is considered to be a classic in the world of tennis bracelets and is a must-have for every jewellery lover.
Did You Know?
That a diamond tennis bracelet was one of at least five heirloom pieces that Meghan Markle inherited from Princess Diana.
But, Why Is It Called a Tennis Bracelet?
Believe it or not, this accessory was not always called the tennis bracelet! In fact, its name was only changed after the 1978 US Open incident.
During the US Open, pro tennis player Chris Evert happened to drop her diamond eternity bracelet and lose it on the ground. The player was so distraught that she eventually pleaded with the authorities and made them halt the game so that she could search for her piece. The event shot the jewellery item to fame and its name was forever changed to the tennis bracelet after that.
Interestingly, Chris Evert isn’t the only tennis player who loves this accessory, but the same has also been flaunted by legends Gabriela Sabatini and Serena Williams. Needless to say, this fact reinforced the accessory’s name and made it synonymous with the sporty girl aesthetic.
Now that you know why a tennis bracelet is called a tennis bracelet, let’s move on to its symbolism.
What Does a Tennis Bracelet Mean?
Fun fact: Before it was called the tennis bracelet, this stunning accessory was often called the ‘eternity bracelet.’ And while the name may have changed, the piece is still used to reflect the eternal love that exists between two people.
Absolutely mesmerised by the beauty and symbolism of this gorgeous accessory and wondering how to buy a tennis bracelet? Though it may seem daunting, purchasing a tennis bracelet is fairly easy once you know exactly what to consider. A list of the same is as follows:
• Gemstone Durability
When it comes to the quintessential tennis bracelet, we always recommend opting for a tough gemstone. This is mainly because the accessory’s design, which is similar to that of an eternity ring, tends to expose the jewels to external elements. This in turn puts the gems at greater risk of knocking against hard surfaces and breaking. To avoid this, opt for a jewel with an 8 or higher rating on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Examples of this include the diamond, sapphire, emerald, moissanite and ruby.
• Your Wrist Size
Remember to choose a piece that’s half an inch larger than your wrist size. So, for instance, if your wrist size is 6 inches, pick an accessory that’s 6.5 inches. This will ensure you a great fit that’s neither too tight nor loose.
• The Clasp
We bet that the last thing you’d ever want to do is be in Chris Evert’s shoes. And the key to avoiding that is picking a clasp that’s very difficult to break, like the lobster clasp, for example. As suggested by its name, this fastener plays the role of a grappling hook. It works by looping through the tiny ring on the other end of the bracelet and holding firm. Needless to say, this clasp is extremely sturdy and will allow you to enjoy the beauty of your piece stress-free.
• The Metal Used
Our top recommendations for this are as follows:
1.) Platinum
Platinum is one of the toughest metals available today. It is extremely sought-after for its silverish-white hue that can be paired with any outfit.
Pros:
- This metal is extremely rare.
- Due to its extreme density, platinum is considered to be a scratch-resistant metal which makes it a great option for rather delicate accessories like the tennis bracelet, for example.
- Platinum is hypoallergenic. This essentially means that it can be flaunted by anyone, regardless of their level of skin sensitivity.
Cons:
- Even though platinum is relatively affordable, it is quite a difficult metal to polish and work with. This results in additional labour requirements and a lot of waste. As such, the final piece tends to cost more than similar jewellery items made from silver or gold.
- As with most metals, platinum can lose its shine over time.
2.) White gold
Believe it or not, pure gold is extremely soft and is generally considered to be unfit for daily use. It is therefore mixed with several metals to give it strength. This can sometimes change the colour of the precious metal and result in a completely new variation that never fails to awe.
Needless to say, white gold is a great example of this. Produced by mixing gold with silver, palladium and nickel, this precious metal is loved for its amazing bright white hue. What’s more, white gold is often coated in rhodium to enhance its shine and colour.
Pros:
- It is relatively easy on the pocket.
- Because of its modern vibe, this metal is the most desired gold variant in the market today.
- Due to the addition of strong metals like nickel, white gold is considered to be a relatively dense precious metal that’s scratch-resistant.
Cons:
- As its rhodium plating needs to be changed every few years, this metal is relatively difficult to maintain.
- Due to the nickel present within the same, white gold can cause skin allergies. That said, one can still find hypoallergenic variations wherein the nickel present in the metal is swapped out for another metal.
3.) Yellow gold
In terms of looks, yellow gold is undoubtedly the most similar to pure gold. It gets its strength from silver, copper and zinc and is adored worldwide for its traditional vibe.
Pros:
- Yellow gold is a popular option for everyday pieces as well as vintage-inspired designs. This is mainly due to its traditional vibe.
- As yellow gold doesn’t need to be coated in rhodium, it is considered easy to maintain.
Cons:
- Yellow gold is a little more malleable than other forms of gold. Due to this, the metal is more prone to cracks and dents.
4.) Rose Gold
Adored for its romantic tinge, this precious metal is a relatively new addition to the world of gold. It is created through a mixture of copper and gold and is primarily loved for its romantic vibe.
Pros:
- Due to its copper content, this metal is extremely dense and is, therefore, scratch-resistant.
- It can give a warm, romantic appeal to almost every piece and is therefore extremely sought-after.
Cons:
- Rose gold can be quite difficult to maintain and does require regular washes.
- It can also cause skin rashes and other allergic reactions because of its copper content.
What next?
Before going ahead with your purchase, know that the tennis bracelet cost will depend on several factors. These include the type of gemstone and metal used as well as the jewel’s grade and carat weight.
Based on the above, this accessory can cost you anywhere between $359 and $54,439 at Angara Jewellery.
Wish to keep your tennis bracelet looking like new for years to come? Go ahead and read up on how to clean tennis bracelets and restore its eye-catching sparkle.
