"I would part with many, many things before I'd surrender my tennis bracelet!" This is the recent confession of a self-proclaimed gem collector and all around "jewelry hound."
Recently, when asked what she would desire if her husband were to give her any piece of jewelry as a gift, a forty-something, stay-at-home mom raising three kids in Virginia didn't hesitate before answering, "A diamond tennis bracelet."
So, what, exactly, is a tennis bracelet, anyway? Where did this highly revered bracelet come from? And, what is it about the bracelet that makes it such a valued piece of jewelry?
Broken Diamond Bracelet Triggers Huge Fashion Trend
Although in-line diamond bracelets were nothing new, it was decades ago, during the 1987 U.S. Open tennis tournament, when the now well-known "tennis bracelet" moniker first came into being. Although in those days It was highly unusual for anyone to wear fancy jewelry while playing sports, during the tournament, tennis super-star Chris Evert wore her signature diamond bracelet designed by celebrity jeweler George Bedewi.
Suddenly, in the middle of the match, the clasp on Evert's pricey piece snapped open and the bracelet dropped to the ground. Even more unprecedented than wearing diamond designer jewelry during play, was Evert's bold move in asking match officials to stop the tournament until her bracelet could be found. And when she did, the world watched on television as the superstar tennis player scoured the court for her precious jewelry. In those moments, the name "tennis bracelet" was born, and new rage in jewelry was set into motion.
Iconic Tennis Bracelet Has Proven Staying Power
Ten years later, in the June 1997 issue of the jewelry industry's trade publication, JCK Magazine, Fashion Editor Hedda Schupak echos the impact of the tennis bracelet when she asks jewelry professionals, "Have we found the next tennis bracelet?"
She continues,"That icon of success started as a fad, grew into a trend and finally reached 'classic' status all because Chris Evert Lloyd dropped her diamond line bracelet on a tennis court. Since then the quest for another product with that kind of staying power has been the industry's search for the Holy Grail."
The iconic tennis bracelet marches on today, decades later. In fact, since the mass appeal of the tennis bracelet first came on the scene, the diamond industry has aggressively marketed many other jewelry designs, including the solitaire diamond necklace; three-stone, Past, Present, Future jewelry; in-line Journey jewelry; and circular Eternity or Circle of Life jewelry. Although each of the diamond jewelry campaigns has been successful, the tennis bracelet still endures. And arguably, the accidentally named tennis bracelet maintains the greatest name recognition of all.
Eternity Bracelet Features In-Line Diamonds and Gems
Originally called an "eternity bracelet" or "infinity bracelet," the tennis bracelet is a millenniums-old jewelry design that features one or more continuous "in-line" rows of evenly spaced and patterned gemstones. The gemstones may be round, square, marquise – just about any shape, or mixed-cut. In the modern bracelet, each diamond or gemstone is mounted individually, either in bezels or prongs, and linked together to form a chain that is both flexible and comfortable-to-wear. The clasp is usually hidden and quality pieces will include either a safety chain or safety latch on the clasp.
In addition to the classic diamond-only bracelet, a tennis bracelet may combine diamonds with gemstones or be made completely of gemstones. A bracelet featuring birthstones of the wearer, his or her loved ones, or his or her children is a popular choice.
"It's as timeless as a pair of diamond studs. A sparkling line of diamonds or gemstones floating around the wrist is going to be simple enough to appeal to most people, and special enough to appeal to those who like a little more drama in their jewelery too," says Jennifer Whyte, a customer service representative with Rock Diamond Corporation. According to Whyte, the tennis bracelet is a highly wearable piece that won't go out of date, or out of style. "It's a highly wearable piece of jewelry. A 3-carat bracelet looks as glamorous as a 10-carat bracelet."
Tennis Bracelet Says Luxury
"There's something classy about a tennis bracelet," Whyte continues. "It is an essential 'extra' in many jewelery wardrobes. You might have your engagement ring and wedding band, even an eternity ring, a pair of studs, maybe, then a pendant. After the basics, comes the tennis bracelet. It tends to say luxury and extravagance a little louder than many every day wearable diamond pieces."
As popular and versatile as the tennis bracelet is, there is, however, at least one caveat to consider if you are thinking about purchasing one. Unbeknownst to most regular folks, the diamond industry covets the tennis bracelet design because it offers an easy way to sell less-than-perfect diamonds. For example, people purchasing engagement rings generally shop for larger stones that are as visually clean and close-to-flawless as they can afford.
And the industry likes it that way. Yet still, the diamond industry also likes to find ways to sell smaller, not-so-perfect stones. So, in contrast to the solitaire or bigger diamond ring – which people love to admire and "inspect" closely to their eyes – with so many diamonds lined-up against one another, and often in smaller sizes, the tennis bracelet makes it more difficult to recognize heavily flawed and poorly cut stones.
Beware the 'Frozen Spit' Diamonds
In fact, the in-line bracelet camouflages well enough that – combined with marketing during the height of the tennis bracelet frenzy when it was a "must have" piece of jewelry for everyone – poor-quality, or unattractive diamonds, jokingly referred to as "frozen spit," were routinely "hidden" and sold in bargain-priced bracelets. Some bracelets were priced as low as just $99.
This is not to say there aren't gorgeous, top-end, to-die-for, quality tennis bracelets out there. There are... as well as bracelets featuring lovely diamonds at any price point one could want. And, a competent and trustworthy jeweler can supply a quality bracelet with less-than-flawless gems that are relatively eye-clean, beautifully bright and sparkly, mounted in well-made settings that can last a lifetime or longer.
Tennis Bracelet has 'Across the Board' Appeal
In her 1997 JCK article, Schupak writes, "The quality issue: one thing the tennis bracelet has is across-the-board appeal. Though upscale jewelers cringe at the thought of 1-ct total-weight promotional bracelets, such heavily advertised pieces did bring diamonds to the masses and put them on the radar screens of many Americans."
And still, the tennis bracelet remains on radar screens today. Trendsetters, celebrities, models, and sports stars, including Penelope Cruz, Iman, Serena WIlliams and Gabriela Sabatini each wear the classic, timeless bracelet.
Given the jewelry's wonderful wearability, versatility, and incredible staying power and heirloom characteristics – not to mention its many variations and price points – maybe next year, for her 20th wedding anniversary, the mom from Virginia will finally receive her dream piece of jewelry: a classic diamond tennis bracelet that she may someday pass along to her daughter. In the meantime, perhaps, someone will pass this article on to her husband.
For more about the iconic diamond tennis bracelet, including shopping advice, you may want to consult a professional for tennis bracelet purchasing tips.
Other classic, all-occasion jewelry pieces include the Cartier Trinity ring; the Tiffany Keys; the Journey-style drop pendant necklace; dangle-style charm bracelet; and three-stone Past, Present, Future jewelry, to name a few.
Claire Eddins - Writer/editor, award-winning photographer Claire Eddins collects gems, horses, and obsesses over home, art, and design.
