By now, every jewelry connoisseur, diamond lover, and ardent tennis fan probably knows the interesting anecdote behind how the diamond tennis bracelet got its name. During a now-famous tennis match in 1978, Chris Evert was wearing a diamond line bracelet (that is what it was called until then). Mid-match, the bracelet snapped and fell as she was playing. She insisted on pausing the match until the bracelet was recovered. Since then, the diamond line bracelet found itself a new name – it was rechristened as the 'tennis bracelet.' But what is a tennis bracelet? It consists of a symmetrical and continuous line of diamonds joined together by a thin metal bracelet. Inarguably, it is considered one of the most splendid and luxurious styles of wrist jewelry.
While this iconic piece is part of jewelry lore today, the diamond tennis necklace is an equally gorgeous rendition of the "tennis" series but often not adulated as vocally. Primarily, it is referred to as the "diamond tennis necklace" because it is, ideally, the companion accessory to a diamond tennis bracelet. In other words, it is a diamond line necklace. With the rechristening of the diamond line bracelets, the necklaces, too, followed suit. Today, tennis necklaces are high value-items considered synonymous with the most exquisite craftsmanship and luxury.
Hailey Bieber has been seen sporting this particular necklace style multiple times – from an outing to the Super Bowl last year to her Instagram feed, proving that the piece isn't just for vintage lovers but also for Gen Zers who love adequate glitz and glamour in their looks.
Regarding a diamond tennis necklace, the 'less is more' adage holds little significance. With an extravagant 5.84 carats worth of diamonds twinkling in this piece, slightly larger diamonds dot stations across the 18k chain.
This statement piece is avant-garde in terms of design. Look closely, and you’ll find several layers of graduated diamonds lined up on an 18k white gold necklace. Priced at $14,600, it’s perfect for edgy Gen Zers who want to dispel notions that the tennis necklace is a vintage design with no scope for experimenting.
Although a tennis necklace features multiple diamonds, the settings are very secure since each diamond is mounted onto its own link. Always check and confirm this aspect before you pick up a diamond tennis necklace. Don’t choose a very soft metal that could break (which is what Evert probably did). This means higher karat gold metals, such as 22k, are out. So is silver. Opt for 18k gold or lower since the alloys tend to add sturdiness. White gold is the most popular since it highlights the array of diamonds to their maximum advantage, but you can also buy rose gold and yellow gold tennis necklaces for yourself if you harbor a fondness for them.
This classic tennis necklace features 4 carats of diamonds studded across a 14k white gold chain 16 inches long. Priced at $13,200, you could wear it for special occasions at work with a business suit or a smart dress or even for casual family gatherings.
This 14k white gold piece is eye-catching, thanks to the graduated diamond necklace that features 3 carats worth of stunning diamonds. At $10,000, it is perfect for the minimalistic woman who wants to pair it with monochrome or plaid outfits for everyday wear, enhancing her look with some bling.
The pièce-de-résistance in any tennis necklace is the gemstones – in this case, the diamonds. Needless to say, given the number of diamonds that are required to make a tennis necklace, it would take more than most of us can afford to use massive stones that are, say, two karats or more. In fact, these would look really huge and get into the zone of pendants rather than line diamonds. The ideal size is below one karat for each diamond, but even that will set you back quite a bit. Most people prefer to marry affordability with aesthetics and choose diamonds that vary between 0.05 to 0.5 karats each, depending on the budget. As for the shape, round-cut diamonds and princess-cut diamonds are the most popular and look great for this kind of necklace. However, you can always experiment with diamond baguettes and other shapes as well. The smaller the diamond, the more you can compromise on clarity - even SI2 is acceptable. A graduated diamond tennis necklace is another sought-after trend if you want a mix of diamond sizes. Blake Lively and Amy Adams have both made fashion statements with this look. Uma Thurman has also worn more than one strand of diamonds at a time – after all, there’s no such thing as too many diamonds.
Delicate and classic, this is a more affordable version of the diamond tennis necklace, priced at $6,200. The diamonds are tinier, with a total weight of 1 carat, but that doesn’t take away from the beautiful crafting and overall sparkle of this design. You can team this with your daily wear outfits and transform your look instantly.
Who doesn’t love a touch of art deco with their jewelry? This 14k white gold tennis necklace is priced at $14,900 and comes with diamond baguettes instead of traditional round-cut gems. The stunning stones and craftsmanship add an air of old-world charm. Pair it with a dressy evening gown reminiscent of vintage Hollywood glamour.
The other thing to consider is length. Something too long stands to be too chunky and opulent unless the occasion demands it. On the other hand, if it’s too short, you’ll find yourself wearing a choker-style necklace. A mid-length neckpiece is ideal for a tennis necklace - although Jennifer Lawrence and Naomi Campbell have been spotted wearing shorter diamond tennis necklaces and looking stunning in them! On the other hand, Angelina Jolie and Sharon Stone have made longer lengths look fabulous. Keep in mind, though, that one size does not fit all. Since the diamond tennis necklace is a statement piece, you also need to take your face shape and neck length into account. Those with oval faces can carry off versatile pieces, while those with rounder faces should avoid shorter necklaces with chunkier stones. The ideal width is anywhere from 3mm to 6mm.
A diamond station necklace set in 14k white gold is ideal for an evening out with friends. Priced at $9,400, towards the end, the row of diamonds tapers into beautiful floral motifs and a clasp that is elegant and practical. Team it with your little black dress or even an androgynous suit.
To purchase this fabulous jewelry style - a diamond tennis necklace - head over to the Gabriel & Co. website or visit any of our reputed retailers. We have both classic and contemporary tennis necklaces that promise to make heads turn every time you step out wearing them.
