How to buy your first tennis bracelet

Tennis bracelets have nothing to do with racquets or balls. But they do have something to do with looking glamourous. It screams sparkle classy and tennis bracelets are having a moment. But where should you buy one from? How do you make sure you don’t look dated or pretentious? This article will walk you through everything that you need to know.

What is a tennis bracelet?

A tennis bracelet is a type of bracelet that is lined with gemstones, usually diamonds connected by gold or platinum. It was originally called a line diamond bracelet.

Why is it called a tennis bracelet?

In 1987, tennis player named Chris Evert was wearing one during a match and lost her line diamond bracelet. She stopped the game to look for it. Ever since, it has been called a tennis bracelet.

Do tennis bracelets need to be made out of diamonds?

Tennis bracelets do not need to be made out of diamonds. It can be made out of any other gemstone. At Four Words, we can do tennis bracelets in diamonds, moissanites, rubies, sapphires and a wide range of other gemstones.

Can I wear a diamond tennis bracelet every day?

While you can, it is not common practice to do so. Wearing a diamond tennis bracelet is typically worn at cocktail parties, weddings, and other fancy dress up events (awards dinners etc).

What are the different types of tennis bracelets?

Just like with engagement rings, there are quite a few different types of designs you can get for a tennis bracelet. This mostly has to do with the setting of the diamonds or gemstone.

Classic diamond tennis bracelets

The traditional setting for a tennis bracelet is the prong-set tennis bracelet with white diamonds. The prongs hold the diamonds together onto the metal. The prongs are subtle enough to create the illusion of an endless line of sparkle.

Channel set tennis bracelets

Channel set tennis bracelets feature “tracks” that diamonds sit in. The diamonds are held together by “walls” on each length side. We recommend a channel set tennis bracelet if you want to contrast the precious metal with the diamond or gemstone more explicitly. A typical combination is white diamonds against yellow or rose gold.

Bezel set tennis bracelets

Taking the idea of the precious metal being as important as the diamond or gemstone in a tennis bracelet, the bezel set tennis bracelet is where each individual gemstone is essentially wrapped by the precious metal. And similar to the channel set tennis bracelets, a typical combination is white diamonds against yellow or rose gold.

Gemstone tennis bracelets

A gemstone tennis bracelet features gemstones such as moissanites, emeralds or sapphires. While it’s traditional for a tennis bracelet to feature diamonds, we are seeing a rise in more unique and personal approaches when it comes to design.

Moissanite tennis bracelets look very similar to diamond bracelets and it is very hard to tell the difference. They are also white and actually sparkle more than a diamond.

Other gemstones come with colour and will do great as a feature-piece.

Coloured tennis bracelets

Diamonds can also come in different colours. And one of our more popular designed tennis bracelet is one made out of champagne diamonds with yellow gold. It is definitely a showstopper and conversation starter.

Other popular coloured tennis bracelets include green (with emeralds), red (with rubies) and chocolate (diamond or moissanite).

How many carats should a tennis bracelet be?

A typical diamond bracelet should weight around 3 - 4 carats. Tennis bracelets around 1 or 2 carats can appear too thin and is more likely to snap. We recommend you get decent sized diamonds or gemstones. And if diamonds are too expensive, then moissanites offer a much more affordable option.

Does diamond quality matter in a tennis bracelet?

As you shop around you may see diamond tennis bracelets start from $1500. But on closer inspection, they are diamonds have very poor colour (J+), poorly cut (I3 and down) and typically on Stirling silver. The diamonds are also extremely small. This means that the tennis bracelet is more likely to be more metal than diamond.

At Four Words, all our diamonds have a colour rating between D-G (top 4 grades and appear colourless to the naked eye), excellent cut and sit on either platinum or gold. This means that your tennis bracelet will last a lifetime.

What is the best metal for a tennis bracelet?

If you are going for a sleek ice white finish, then our recommendation is to use platinum or white gold. If you are using coloured stones, especially champagne diamonds or moissanites, then yellow gold might be a better bet.

How much does a quality tennis bracelet cost?

For a 7-inch chain with DEF diamonds on 14 karat gold and with a total carat weight of 2, tennis bracelets start at $4,500. For total carat weight of 3, this will be around $5,000.

How do I determine the right size when buying a tennis bracelet?

Tennis bracelets should sit on your wrist and be a little loose. And the best way to get a perfectly fitting tennis bracelet is to try a few on at a jewellery store. The industry standard for women’s bracelets is between 6-7 inches.

At Four Words, we custom make each tennis bracelet so you will always get one that perfectly fits.

Can a jeweller resize a tennis bracelet?

In most cases, it is relatively easy to resize a tennis bracelet. Our recommendation is that you start with a 7 inch bracelet and resize accordingly. It is easier to resize down than it is to resize up.

What is the proper way to wear a tennis bracelet?

Tennis bracelets are typically worn on the same wrist as you would typically wear a watch. Tennis bracelets are also typically worn solo, without a watch or bracelet as they become a distraction. The only time you would wear something on the same wrist is if you are planning on wearing two tennis bracelets.

Looking to buy a tennis bracelet?

There is definitely a range in quality and price when it comes to buying a tennis bracelet. So if you are just starting out on your journey and looking for advice, you can book in a time with Four Words for a no obligation conversation about your piece. We will walk you through what to look out for when buying a tennis bracelet and why buying good quality gemstones is worth the investment in the long haul. At Four Words you can also customise a tennis bracelet by choosing which stones to use and its colour and design with our custom bespoke design process.