Bracelets have always been popular with the rich, but none more so than the diamond tennis bracelet – and for good reason. Tennis bracelets come in exquisite styles, and carry a very elegant presence that very effectively conveys the implicit notion that the wearer is a person of taste. The name “tennis bracelet” has little or nothing to do with the sport, and simply refers to a bracelet that has diamonds set in a symmetrical pattern. The style itself probably originates with the exclusive boutique French jewellery design houses that rose to popularity in the 19th century. Interestingly, tennis diamond bracelets are one of the few styles that are compatible with both sexes (although women generally wear slimmer designs than men). Today, diamond tennis bracelets are almost exclusively the domain of the very rich, due to the exclusivity granted them by their high price.
This price buys a lot of guarantees, however. For one thing, the craftsmanship is as close to perfect as you can get. The diamonds are securely seated so that the prongs/crown is unlikely to come off even with everyday wear (although actually playing tennis while wearing a bracelet is still not recommended). Furthermore, the level of variation within tennis bracelet designs is absolutely staggering. There are slim bracelets that carry hundreds of stunningly beautiful small stones, or thick bracelets that carry a small number of exquisitely huge diamonds. There are tennis bracelets with links, chains, or ball-and-socket joints. The upper limit on price is largely dictated by the number of stones set into the bracelet, and the more expensive bracelets can be in the range of hundreds of thousands of Euros.
One of the first decisions when shopping for tennis bracelets is the metal you want it to be made of. As you can well imagine, the bracelets run the gamut of precious metals, from rose gold to palladium. Of course, the classic will always be the gold diamond tennis bracelet, which just reeks of “old money”. These fabulous pieces create a fantastic contrast between the gold and the diamonds, and do an excellent job showcasing the interplay of light between the two. A diamond gold tennis bracelet will make your wrist dazzle, no question about it.
For the person seeking a slightly less flashy and slightly more muted look, white gold is probably the answer. A diamond white gold tennis bracelet still provides a fantastic luster but not the sort of overly ostentatious sparkle of gold. Interestingly, white gold bracelets are actually more expensive than yellow gold bracelets for exactly this reason – they cater to a more stylish and sophisticated crowd.
A fantastic alternative is the rose gold (also known as pink gold or Russian gold) bracelet. The interplay of light between the diamonds and the rose gold provides an effect that somewhat resembles a fiery sunset. A very individualistic choice, rose gold bracelets are rather uncommon, and are sure to attract a fantastic amount of attention.
The next choice, of course, is the size and amount of the diamonds. Generally, the choice is between a smaller number of large diamonds, and a larger number of small diamonds. It is generally agreed that there are no savings to be found here – quality diamonds are always expensive. However, it is perhaps important to note that a larger number of small diamonds usually provides a more dazzling effect than a smaller number of large diamonds, particularly since the diamonds will usually be evenly spaced, so as to create an equal visual effect around the entire circumference of the diamond. When shopping around for tennis bracelets, keep this in mind.