We’ve all heard the term ‘tennis bracelet’, right? Leonardo DiCaprio presented one to his onscreen wife in The Wolf of Wall Street, ultimate GOAT Serena Williams loved wearing hers on Centre Court and Zendaya single-handedly led to a 133% increase in searches after her show-stopping Challengers press tour.
This famous piece of jewellery has long been associated with classic style and a sophisticated vibe, but its history toes the line between sports and fashion in a truly fascinating way.
The story of the tennis bracelet begins well before it earned its current sporty moniker. Originally known as eternity bracelets, these pieces have been around since the 1920s, crafted as continuous circles of precious stones meant to symbolise eternal love.
Jewellers would meticulously set diamonds or other gemstones in a single line, creating a seamless loop of sparkle laced around the wrist. Modern-day tennis bracelets are still typically characterised by their symmetrical arrangement of pavé diamonds or other gemstones along a flexible, precious metal chain but have since garnered more strings to their metaphorical bow.
Eternity bracelets were popular among the affluent and the upper classes for the following few decades but it wasn’t until the late 20th century that they received a massive boost in public recognition, thanks to 18-time Grand Slam winner Chris Evert. Lore has it that during the 1978 US Open, Evert was playing an intense match when her diamond bracelet broke and fell off her wrist.
She then (sensationally at the time) asked the officials to pause the game until she found her beloved bracelet, which we can absolutely relate to.
This incident, understandably, garnered significant media attention, and jewellers jumped on the opportunity to market these bracelets under a new name: the tennis bracelet.
The ’70s were a great time for this jewel to come back into the zeitgeist. It was the disco era, a time when people started dressing more casually, pairing denim with diamonds and there was a growing demand for understated luxury, which high-end jewellers began to cater to.
Celebrities such as Farah Fawcett could be seen wearing them at various glamorous events, as well as on the court.
The bracelet mishap was, of course, not the first time three-time Wimbledon champ Chris Evert wore this type of jewellery. In fact she was known to accessorise her tennis kit with fine jewellery instead of a towelling wristband. This stylistic choice and the press exposure highlighted not only the bracelet’s aesthetic appeal but also its practical design. If it was good enough for a professional athlete, it was good enough for a casual player.
Following the infamous ‘70 incident, tennis bracelets became a must-have accessory. Their popularity soared in the 1980s and 1990s, symbolically tying together luxury and an active, modern lifestyle. Celebrities and fashion icons were often seen sporting tennis bracelets, thus reinforcing their ‘It’ status.
Today, tennis bracelets are a bona fide staple in fine jewellery collections worldwide. The designs are continuously innovated, with versions boasting varying stone sizes, multicoloured gemstones and contemporary settings. Despite these twists, the classic diamond tennis bracelet remains a beloved choice, at least in part, because of its timeless feel.
They still look as good with a casual, preppy outfit as they do with evening-wear, and make as much of a statement as a hero piece as they would stacked with multiple bracelets on the wrist. They also still have that sentimental value attributed to their eternity bracelet iteration and are often gifted for significant life events like anniversaries and other milestones.
While that’s a great anecdote and a potential winning fact at pub quiz night but what actually makes a bracelet a ‘tennis bracelet’? Let’s get into specifics.
Materials: Most tennis bracelets are made from gold (white, yellow, or rose) or platinum, chosen for their strength and lustre.
Clasp: A secure clasp is essential to keep it safe and for that extra bit of protection.
Diamonds or gemstones: The stones are usually round cut, but modern variations include different cuts and a mix of gemstones, providing a colourful twist to the traditional diamond-only style.
From their origins as eternity bracelets to their rise to fame on the tennis courts, tennis bracelets have a rich history intertwined with glamour and athleticism. Their evolution over the decades has only enhanced their charm, making them a cherished piece in any jewellery collection.
Whether adorned with traditional diamonds or unique gemstones, tennis bracelets continue to carry a legacy that’s as enduring as their timeless design.
