The tennis bracelet is a classic piece of jewelry that has been worn by women for decades. It consists of a flexible bracelet made from a row of diamonds or other precious gemstones, and it is worn tightly around the wrist. Many women love tennis bracelets due to their simple and elegant design, but have you ever wondered where these beautiful bracelets got their name? It’s an interesting story that combines jewelry, and sport.
It all started with professional tennis player Chris Evert when her diamond bracelet’s clasp broke and the diamonds fall apart during the 1987 U.S Open, which was a gift from her husband. Chris requested that the match with her opponent Andrea Jaeger to be suspended until she found her bracelet. Ever since then, bracelet designs that feature a line of diamonds or other gemstones became known as tennis bracelets.
More details about the Tennis Bracelet
Tennis bracelets are designed with a singular row of diamonds or gemstones. The gems are set in a symmetrical pattern that continues around the band of the bracelet. They are usually crafted in white or yellow gold, but modern versions are now available in rose gold and platinum. Tennis bracelets also come in a range of carat weights, allowing for affordability and a variety of options.
The popularity of tennis bracelets skyrocketed during the 90s and continued through the 2000s. Many celebrities and pop stars were seen adorning pieces of tennis bracelets on red carpet events, music videos, and concerts. This celebrity culture exposure played a significant role in increasing the jewelry trend’s popularity over the years.
However, the history of the tennis bracelet goes back much further than Evert’s match. The first diamond bracelet was created in the 1920s and was called “eternity bracelet”, and featured a loop of diamonds around the wrist without a clasp, signifying an endless circle of love.
In addition, the favorable trend of the invisible setting and flexible bracelet also helped establish the tennis bracelet style. The invisible setting was first created by Van Cleef & Arpels in 1933 which created a smooth look by grooving the stones and then placing them on a thread which was coated with gold. The newly developed flexible bracelet would let the bracelet adjust to the size of your wrist making it more comfortable than rigid bangles or cuffs and thus it became the go-to style for tennis bracelets.
However, the diamond loop bracelet didn’t become mainstream until the 1950s when diamond jewelry began to differ from traditional gemstones, and jewelry designer Jean Schlumberger designed a diamond bracelet for Audrey Hepburn in 1957.
