Tennis Bracelets 101: A Comprehensive Guide to Buying and Caring for Your First Tennis Bracelet

Here at Suzanne Kalan, we believe that every woman should own a tennis bracelet. Elegant, iconic, and timeless, it’s a piece that can be used to accessorize any casual or formal ensemble, and is versatile enough to be worn during the day or at night. A beautiful baguette tennis bracelet, such as many of the ones we have in our extensive catalog deserves its spot in your jewelry box. Here’s everything you need to know about it:

What is a tennis bracelet?

A tennis bracelet is a bracelet that is made up of a series of diamonds or gemstones set in a precious metal setting. The diamonds or gemstones are usually the same size and shape and are usually connected with a thin metal chain. The bracelet typically has a clasp on one end to secure it around the wrist. Due to its continuous style, bracelets of this specific fashion were called “diamond line bracelets” or “diamond eternity bracelets” before the name “tennis bracelet” stuck.

What distinguishes tennis bracelets from other bracelets is the fact that the metal that the diamonds or gemstones are set in should just be barely visible. For this reason, diamonds and white gold or platinum are often the most commonly chosen materials for tennis bracelets as the combination creates an attractive fluid effect.

Why is it called a tennis bracelet?

The phrase “tennis bracelet” originated from female tennis player Chris Evert, also known as the “Ice Maiden”. An American former world No. 1 player, Evert was also considered a fashion icon during the ‘70s and ‘80s.

The most popular version of the story states that Evert wore a diamond line bracelet during the 1987 U.S. Open. It was reported that the accessory fell from her wrist during a particularly intense match, prompting her to request a pause for play so that she could search the court for it. She is quoted to have said, “I dropped my tennis bracelet”, and from then on bracelets of that style were known as tennis bracelets.

According to a Tiffany & Co. spokesperson, “no one wore diamonds with sports ensembles before the tennis bracelet”. Today, the accessory is still considered one of the most versatile pieces that anyone can own. It is suitable for day or nighttime wear and can be worn with almost any outfit.

How to choose your first tennis bracelet

Before shopping for a tennis bracelet, it’s important to figure out what style you want. In addition to the classic format that makes use of diamonds and white gold, modern tennis bracelets now come in a wide variety of designs and styles that make use of colored precious metals, such as yellow and rose gold, as well as colored gemstones, such as emeralds, rubies, and sapphires.

Most designs contain a single row or loop of diamonds, but some tennis bracelets–including many of the ones in our catalog–feature two or even three rows of gemstones. Additionally, the classic tennis bracelet usually employs round-cut diamonds, but baguette tennis bracelets are also an excellent choice for those looking for a standout accessory.

After you’ve figured out which style of tennis bracelet you want to have, it’s a good idea to take a look at how the stones are set. There are three common settings, namely:

• Prong settings utilize metal prongs to hold the stones in place, allowing light to pass through them.
• Channel settings make use of two rows of metal to form a channel that holds the stones in the middle.
• Bezel settings surround the stone with the precious metal, forming a bezel.

Choosing the right setting is important because it doesn’t just inform how the piece will look; it also dictates how secure the stones will be. If you lead an active lifestyle and plan on wearing your tennis bracelet every day, you’ll want a stronger setting that will hold the stones on your bracelet securely.

After deciding on the style and design, you can move on to choosing the precious metals and gemstones you’d like to see in your tennis bracelet. Our tennis bracelets here at Suzanne Kalan are available in 18 karat white, yellow, or rose gold, and make use of a variety of gemstones, from brilliant white diamonds to vibrant colored emeralds, rubies, and sapphires.

If you have a cool skin tone, you may want to opt for a baguette tennis bracelet that makes use of white gold such as our classic diamond icon tennis bracelet. This handcrafted piece features 1.75 carats of baguette diamonds and 0.85 carats of round white diamonds set in a stunning pattern that will complement your undertone.

On the other hand, those with warmer skin tones will find that a combination of colored gemstones set in yellow or rose gold brings out their complexion more. Our bold burst rainbow sapphire tennis bracelet, available in 18 karat rose or yellow gold, features 7.58 carats of rainbow sapphire baguettes, 1.68 carats of baguette diamonds, and 0.44 carats of round white diamonds arranged in an eye-catching way. This subtle statement piece will surely bring cheer to your daily life as you gaze upon its whimsical colors.

How to take care of your tennis bracelet

Proper care and maintenance is key to making your tennis bracelet look as beautiful as the day you bought it.

Storing it right is one of the best things you can do for the accessory. When you aren’t wearing your bracelet, store it in a soft pouch or box to protect it from dust and dirt. This will help keep your bracelet looking its best for longer. If the piece features diamonds, you’ll also  want to keep it separately from other pieces in your collection. This is because diamonds have the ability to scratch other metals and gemstones.

It's also important to avoid exposing your bracelet to harsh chemicals, such as detergents or bleach. Instead, we recommend using warm water and a soft brush to clean your tennis bracelet before drying it with a soft cloth.

If your tennis bracelet is damaged, you can send it back to us for a free repair. Our repair services usually cover replacing a damaged or missing gemstone (depending on the gemstone), as well as cleaning and polishing your piece. If the damage is severe and a charge is required, we will get back to you with a quote and obtain your approval before proceeding.