Characterised by a simple and elegant row of diamonds, the history of the tennis bracelet is one of jewellery lore.
It is widely believed that the style gets its name from an unusual turn of events. As you can probably guess, tennis was involved.
Legendary American tennis player Chris Evert has a whopping 18 grand slam singles titles to her name but is also known for a very different reason. In the US Open in September 1978, the former world number one stopped play to find her diamond “tennis bracelet” that had broken at the clasp and fallen off.
It was rare for sports players to wear such grand jewels, let alone diamonds on one wrist and a sweatband on the other. It became her signature and reflected the fashion movement of the time of low-key luxury.
And, while rain was a common reason for lawn games to be called off, hunting for diamonds was not. The incident catapulted the style into the spotlight and made the rebranded bracelet a covetable piece - well, versions with a secure clasp, of course.
The treasured style has endured in the jewellery space ever since. Previously known as line or eternity bracelets, it can be traced back to the 1920s with the former moniker referring to how the diamonds are set, while the latter captures their symbolism for eternal love. It is no surprise then, that they are often gifted for an engagement or anniversary present.
Their popularity is a testament to their versatility. They can make a striking solo piece or layered up for unmissable arm candy. Tennis bracelets are classic, elegant and unpretentious. This is a piece you will never need to take off.
While the basic idea has remained the same, many jewellery designers have got creative with cuts, shapes and styles – there is no rule book, after all. You will find geometric designs, punctuation of colour and layered stones, or you can go classic with white gold or gold.
Below you will find our edit of the best categorised by real diamond iterations followed by those set with cubic zirconia.
Best Diamond Tennis Bracelets
Beaverbrooks 18ct White Gold Diamond Bracelet
The timelessness of this tennis bracelet cannot be understated. It’s the kind of piece that could be passed down from generation to generation with a perennially chic and classic look. It is crafted from 18-karat white gold with a row of clear round brilliant-cut 1.90-carat diamonds.
Buy now £4950.00, Beaverbrooks
Ernest Jones 9ct White Gold 7" 1ct Diamond Tennis Bracelet
This tennis bracelet has everyday appeal and will form the basis of your jewellery staples. On 9-carat white gold, it is given a striking touch of sparkle with 1-carat round brilliant-cut diamonds set in a row. The bracelet is 17.78cm long.
Buy now £1500.00, Ernest Jones
Monica Vinader Lab Grown Diamond Essential Tennis Bracelet
Understated and refined, this piece from Monica Vinader makes for a dainty addition to your arm candy. It has a slim 18-karat gold vermeil chain with a row of round brilliant-cut lab-grown diamonds weighing 0.25 carats for a dazzling embellishment. The bracelet comes in three sizes; small, medium and large.
Buy now £795.00, Monica Vinader
Mejuri Lab Grown Sapphire Tennis Bracelet
An affordable take on a diamond bracelet, the Mejuri tennis design is classic and elegant. It will make the perfect anniversary, wedding or ‘just because’ gift.
Buy now £288.00, Mejuri
Roxanne First Original Tennis 14ct white-gold and 3.90ct lilac sapphire bracelet
Putting a playful twist on the classic style, Roxanne First applies its signature colourful aesthetic to a classic tennis bracelet. While the brand may be best known for its beaded designs, this takes a more sophisticated approach. It has a 14-karat white gold setting and 3.90-carat lilac sapphires. It’s 17cm in length and has a clasp fastening. This is a piece designed to be layered.
Buy now £3950.00, Selfridges
Brilliant Earth Olivetta Lab Diamond Tennis Bracelet (2 3/4 ct. tw.)
In a break away from the traditional tennis bracelet, Brilliant Earth has placed lab-grown diamonds in a floral garland design to create its unique jewellery piece. The dainty design is made up of round and pear-shaped stones embedded in 18k white gold.
Buy now £4950.00, Brilliant Earth
Ernest Jones 9ct White Gold Emerald & 1ct Diamond Tennis Bracelet
Inject a touch of colour into your jewellery collection without sacrificing sparkle with this tennis bracelet. The diamonds are punctuated with emeralds, totalling 1ct. The special stones are placed on a 9ct white gold setting. It also works as a May birthstone.
Buy now £3000.00, Ernest Jones
Suzanne Kalan Rose Gold and Rainbow Sapphire Bold Tennis Bracelet
Suzanne Kalan is known for her play on the traditional baguette-cut diamonds where they are hand-set in a subtle irregular style for a scattered, contemporary look.
For this tennis bracelet, she places 9.38ct-carat sapphires with pastel hues on an 18-karat yellow gold setting to create a dramatic, eye-catching piece that will make a statement all its own.
Buy now £15745.00, Harrods
Vrai Baguette Tennis Bracelet
With androgynous appeal, this tennis bracelet has a bar design in which the sustainably-created stones are cut to a baguette shape and set on a semi-bezel design. Harking back to the traditional ‘line’ bracelet with a literal approach, it also feels super modern and geometric.
The diamonds are placed on 14-karat yellow gold and the carat weight totals 6 on average.
Buy now £7216.00, Vrai
Tiffany Victoria Tennis Bracelet in Platinum with Diamonds
Oozing with elegance, this is one of those special occasion jewellery pieces that will bring instant opulence and sophistication to your ensemble. It places an untraditional combination of round brilliant diamond cuts with a carat weight of 2.90.
The setting is platinum and the clasp is made up of marquise diamonds in a feminine and floral design.
Buy now £21400.00, Tiffany & Co
The Diamond Store Silver Diamond Set 1.00ct Tennis Bracelet
Clean, classic and elegant, this tennis bracelet from The Diamond Store takes a traditional path in its design. Set on sterling silver and with a claw design, the diamonds weigh 1 carat with a round shape and premium quality. They are conflict-free diamonds and the overall length of the product is 18.5cm.
Buy now £454.00, The Diamond Store
Best Cubic Zirconia Tennis Bracelets
Missoma Classic Tennis Bracelet
A dainty addition to an ever-growing arm stack, Missoma has captured the tennis bracelet spirit, swapping diamonds for cubic zirconia. The jewellery piece has been crafted from 18ct recycled gold vermeil on recycled sterling silver, so there are sustainability credentials too.
Buy now £225.00, Missoma
Beaverbrooks 9ct White Gold Cubic Zirconia Bracelet - 20cm9ct White Gold Cubic Zirconia Bracelet - 20cm
Day or night, bar or boardroom, the versatility of this classic tennis bracelet is endless. It may be set with cubic zirconia but has the brilliance of dazzling diamonds. The setting is 9-carat white gold with a length of 20cm
Buy now £1150.00, Beaverbrooks
Pandora Sparkling Slider Tennis Bracelet
This timeless tennis bracelet from Pandora makes for a sophisticated gift to kickstart a lifelong jewellery obsession. The fit can be customised thanks to the helpful slider clasp. It is made from sterling silver with a very subtle rose tint and punctuated with clear cubic zirconia.
Buy now £70.00, Pandora
Beaverbrooks Silver Cubic Zirconia Heart Tennis Bracelet
Aspirational yet accessible, this modern interpretation of the eternal bracelet puts love at the forefront with a dainty heart design created from sterling silver and embellished with cubic zirconia. It is 19cm in length and has a polished finish.
Buy now £165.00, Beaverbrooks
Carat Vianne Tennis Bracelet Sterling Silver
As a very convincing dupe for the diamond tennis bracelets above, CARAT is offering this arm candy at a more purse-friendly price tag. This is a piece that is designed to be worn for all occasions with the brand’s own stones on a faceted claw solid sterling silver setting.
Buy now £279.00, Carat
