Few jewelry designs are as glamorous and enduring as a diamond tennis bracelet. Tennis bracelets feature an endless array of diamonds with brilliance and beauty few can ignore.

Read on to discover what a tennis bracelet is, what to know before buying, and how to choose the right lab-grown diamond tennis bracelet for you.

What Is a Tennis Bracelet?

A tennis bracelet is a bracelet comprised of numerous diamonds linked together one by one on a metal chain. Tennis bracelets traditionally feature the same diamond shape and size, but contemporary designs today may combine various diamond shapes.

Why Is a Tennis Bracelet Called a Tennis Bracelet?

Tennis bracelets are named after professional tennis player Chris Evert. During the 1978 US Open, Evert famously stopped her match when her tennis bracelet flew off, changing the bracelet's meaning and name.

Tennis Bracelet History

Tennis bracelets were originally called line bracelets. They were very popular during the 1920s and embodied Art Deco jewelry. Line bracelets were worn as glamorous statement pieces for special occasions, often layered with numerous bracelets.

By the 1970s, however, line bracelets became tennis bracelets and were worn very differently. U.S. professional tennis player, Chris Evert, was known for her incredible skill and stylish outfits. Evert began famously wearing line bracelets to her matches - the first athlete to do so.

During the 1978 US Open, her bracelet broke during the match. Time was called so she could find the broken pieces. After this infamous interruption, line bracelets became forever known as tennis bracelets and exploded in popularity.

Wearing tennis bracelets with everyday attire, both on and off the court, is a trend that endures today. Other notable celebrities who have famously worn tennis bracelets include Kate Middleton, Hailey Bieber, Lenny Kravitz, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Winslet, Meghan Markle, and Kate Moss.

Can Anyone Wear a Diamond Tennis Bracelet?

Anyone can wear a tennis bracelet. VRAI tennis bracelets are meant to be worn by all, with timeless designs that never go out of style.

Types of Tennis Bracelets

Tennis bracelets typically feature one row of diamonds of the same size and quality. Tennis bracelets can have several different settings, however. The three primary types of tennis bracelet settings are:

Prong Set Tennis Bracelets

A prong setting is the most popular setting for a tennis bracelet. Prong settings securely set each diamond in a small, hidden metal basket with either two, three, or four tiny individual prongs holding each diamond.

“Our tennis bracelets are a bit more modern than a standard tennis bracelet, with three prongs holding each diamond instead of four. They don't have the boxy line bracelet look of many traditional tennis bracelet offerings. You really see each diamond sparkle. They move very fluidly on the wrist,” explains Grace Taylor, VRAI’s Sr. Director of Sales & CX.

Channel Set Tennis Bracelets

A channel setting hugs each diamond on the sides with two rows of metal. Channel settings allow each diamond to closely line up, side by side. Bezel Set Tennis Bracelets Bezel settings encompass each diamond in a thin metal layer either fully, or partially. Bezel settings are known for their security.

Tennis Bracelet Styles

Settings aside, there are numerous styles of tennis bracelets to choose from. For classic tastes, “you can't go wrong with our standard Tennis Bracelet with Round Brilliant diamonds. This is a staple piece of a jewelry collector's wardrobe and is going to be in style forever,” Taylor recommends.

While all VRAI tennis bracelets are unisex, sleek Baguette diamonds are particularly popular for men’s diamond tennis bracelets.

For those who deviate from tradition, and love contemporary designs, consider the Mixed Shape Tennis Bracelet. Alternatively, “the 1.7ct Infinity Linked Tennis bracelet is a great option for someone who is seeking a unique but lower-key, more petite offering. The 6.6ct Infinity Linked Tennis bracelet is great for someone who wants to be decked out in diamonds, and have it look like they're just floating on the arm,” Taylor continues.

If you prefer a tennis bracelet that’s even bolder, opt for the Illuminate and Unity tennis bracelets, or larger diamonds. “If you want to make a statement in both diamonds and gold, the V Tennis Bracelet is the way to go,” says Taylor.

How to Wear a Tennis Bracelet

Tennis bracelets are versatile designs that can be worn with anything. It’s best to wear a tennis bracelet on your non-dominant wrist (if you’re right-handed, wear it on your left wrist).

Is It Okay to Wear a Tennis Bracelet Every Day?

“Tennis bracelets are generally intended to be worn every day,” explains Taylor. “They have a huge amount of versatility which means they work with jeans or dressed up for a night out.” A tennis bracelet looks stylish when worn with anything - from a ball gown to athleisure.

Keep in mind that tennis bracelets contain numerous real diamonds. To preserve your tennis bracelets, avoid wearing them to places or activities that could cause damage.

Should Tennis Bracelets Be Tight Or Loose?

Tennis bracelets are worn snugly around your wrist. They should be tight enough that they won’t fall off but still comfortable to wear.

To ensure a perfect fit, measure your wrist using measuring tape before buying a tennis bracelet. Add .5 inches to the total to find your ideal size.

Tennis bracelets are typically between 6.5 and 7 inches, which will fit most wrists. If your tennis bracelet doesn’t fit correctly, it can be adjusted by a professional jeweler.

What to Look for Before Buying a Diamond Tennis Bracelet

When choosing a lab-grown diamond tennis bracelet, consider the design, quality, and your budget. Use the below steps as a guide to buying a tennis bracelet.

1.Diamond Shape

Diamonds are the star of the show when it comes to a tennis bracelet. Decide on your ideal diamond shape. Different diamond shapes will completely transform the look of your bracelet.

Most tennis bracelets feature Round Brilliant, Emerald, or Baguette cut diamonds.

2.Carat Weight

Carat weight greatly determines the total cost of a tennis bracelet. The larger the diamond, the higher the cost. Quality is more important for larger diamonds as inclusions are more noticeable at higher carat weights. This also raises the total cost.

The diamond size dramatically impacts the bracelets’ overall appearance. Lower-carat-weight tennis bracelets will have noticeably more diamonds, whereas higher-carat-weight tennis bracelets will have fewer but larger diamonds.

3.Diamond Certification, Clarity, and Color

“Diamond quality is always something to consider, but with tennis bracelets, you also need to make sure that all of the diamonds match,” explains Taylor. If the diamonds differ in quality, tennis bracelets will not look cohesive. Closely inspect your tennis bracelet before buying to ensure it offers the brilliance you desire.

“The diamonds in our tennis bracelets are not individually certified like a center stone for an engagement ring because melee-sized diamonds are batch graded,” continues Taylor. “Individual diamond certification is a costly process. It’s not the norm for jewelry pieces featuring numerous smaller diamonds.”

To ensure quality diamonds, always buy from a reputable retailer and look for color and clarity grades. We use colorless (DEF) and VS2+ clarity diamonds to ensure VRAI tennis bracelets have peak brilliance and quality.

4.Setting & Style

Tennis bracelet designs range from subtle to bold to unique, so choose the style and setting that best reflects you. Whichever setting you choose, make sure that the clasp is strong and sturdy.

Most tennis bracelets are set in 14k yellow or white gold, which is highly durable. Consult your wardrobe to choose the color that works well with what you wear every day.

Diamond Tennis Bracelet Price

The diamond quality, carat weight, shape, and metal choice will determine the price of a diamond tennis bracelet.

Why Are Tennis Bracelets So Expensive?

Tennis bracelets often cost more than most bracelet designs as they feature numerous high-quality diamonds. While most bracelet designs feature 1-4 diamonds, tennis bracelets consist entirely of linked diamonds.

How Much Is a Diamond Tennis Bracelet Worth?

Diamond shape and quality largely determine the worth of a diamond tennis bracelet, as will craftsmanship. VRAI diamond tennis bracelets feature high-quality VRAI created diamonds, set in premium materials by our expert craftsman. Our tennis bracelets are priced according to their value, not middleman markups.

How Much Should I Spend On a Diamond Tennis Bracelet?

VRAI tennis bracelets start at $3,000 and go up to $38,000. Diamond quality and diamond carat price greatly influence how much you should spend on a tennis bracelet. A classic 6.5-inch VRAI tennis bracelet with 2.8ct Round Brilliant diamonds is $3,500. For 8.25ct, the same design costs $9,000.

How to Buy A Diamond Tennis Bracelet

You can easily buy a VRAI created diamond tennis bracelet online, on our website. Explore our full inventory of tennis bracelets to find the right style for you. Once you’ve chosen your design, you can customize the bracelet size, carat weight, and metal color.

Your tennis bracelet will be made-to-order and shipped directly to you. All VRAI tennis bracelets come with a Lifetime Warranty to fully protect your investment.

Why You Should Choose A Lab-Grown Diamond Tennis Bracelet

Choosing a VRAI lab-grown diamond tennis bracelet is the only way to buy a real diamond tennis bracelet without the negative human or environmental toll of diamond mining.

All VRAI created diamond tennis bracelets feature diamonds grown in our zero-emission foundry. VRAI fine jewelry is the only Carbon Neutral Certified diamond jewelry on the market.

VRAI tennis bracelets offer the most competitive diamond prices in the industry, as we produce all our diamonds in-house, with no middlemen markups. With VRAI, you can get a high-quality tennis bracelet for less.

Tennis Bracelet FAQs

Read on for any remaining tennis bracelet questions.

Is It Worth It to Buy a Tennis Bracelet?

If you love diamonds and it’s in your budget, then a tennis bracelet is absolutely worth the price.

Are Tennis Bracelets Popular?

Tennis bracelets are one of the most popular bracelet styles, consistently sought after since the 1920s.

What Is The Best Diamond Shape For A Tennis Bracelet?

Round Brilliant cut diamonds are most commonly featured in Tennis bracelets. But you may prefer square-shaped diamonds like Baguettes or Emeralds.

Are Tennis Bracelets Real Diamonds?

Tennis bracelets should be made from real diamonds. To ensure the diamonds are real, only buy tennis bracelets from reputable retailers, like VRAI.

When Should You Gift Someone A Tennis Bracelet?

A tennis bracelet makes a wonderful and thoughtful gift for a special milestone or loved one. Consider gifting a tennis bracelet for an anniversary, the birth of a child, a graduation, a holiday, or a birthday.

How Many Carats Should a Tennis Bracelet Be?

A standard tennis bracelet ranges between 3 and 5 carats. You’ll typically find tennis bracelets available between 2 and 10+ carats.

Can I Shower With a Diamond Tennis Bracelet?

We do not recommend showering with a diamond tennis bracelet. Water and shower products cause build-up, which dulls the diamonds’ appearance. If you accidentally get your tennis bracelet wet, properly clean it afterward.