The Tennis Bracelet Guide
Court Legend • US Open • Timeless Elegance
Few pieces of fine jewellery carry a story quite as captivating as the tennis bracelet. One of the most coveted wrist pieces in the world, it sits at the perfect intersection of sport, celebrity, and enduring style. As Wimbledon approaches, there is no better time to explore the history behind this iconic design, and to discover why a tennis bracelet is very much its own thing, distinct from the bangle it is so often placed alongside.
How Did the Tennis Bracelet Get Its Name?
The term "tennis bracelet" was not always in use. For decades, the piece we now know so well was simply called a diamond line bracelet: a slender, flexible line of individually set diamonds that sat close to the wrist. The name changed in a single, unforgettable moment at the US Open.
It was 1987, and Chris Evert, one of the greatest tennis players of her generation, was competing at Flushing Meadows when her delicate diamond bracelet snapped and fell from her wrist mid-match. She stopped play and asked the officials to hold the game while she searched for it on the court. The request was granted, and the match paused for the bracelet to be found. The story swept through the press, and from that moment on, the style became known universally as the tennis bracelet.
"She stopped play and asked officials to hold the game while she searched for it on the court. From that moment, the name stuck."
It is a wonderfully human story: here was one of the world's finest athletes, mid-competition at the most famous tennis tournament on earth, unwilling to leave behind a piece of jewellery she treasured. The bracelet became an icon overnight, and demand for the style soared. Today, the name is so embedded in the language of jewellery that most people have no idea it came from an actual tennis court.
With Wimbledon returning to our screens this summer, the tennis bracelet feels more relevant and more romantic than ever.
Bracelet vs Bangle: What Is the Difference?
It is a question we are asked often in our stores, and it is a good one. The terms are frequently used interchangeably, but they describe quite different pieces of jewellery. Understanding the distinction will help you choose the right piece for you.
The Bracelet
A bracelet is a flexible piece of wrist jewellery. It moves with you, typically made up of links, settings, or a chain that allows it to drape and flow naturally around the wrist. A tennis bracelet is the quintessential example: it bends and flexes as the hand moves, hugging the contour of the wrist. Because bracelets have a clasp, they can be adjusted and fastened securely, which is precisely why Chris Evert's bracelet was able to come undone and fall away in the first place.
The Bangle
A bangle, by contrast, is rigid. It is a solid, fixed circle, usually a continuous loop of metal, that slips over the hand and sits on the wrist. It does not flex, does not have a clasp, and moves as one piece. Bangles can be plain, hammered, twisted, or set with diamonds, but their defining characteristic is that firm, structured shape. They often stack beautifully, and the sound they make, a satisfying clink against one another, is part of their appeal.
In short: if it bends and has a clasp, it is a bracelet. If it is a solid loop you slip over your hand, it is a bangle.
Diamond Bangle in Yellow Gold
A beautiful example of the bangle: structured, bold, and set with diamonds in rich 18ct yellow gold. The rigid form gives it a very different character to a bracelet, architectural and confident on the wrist.
£9,700
View BangleThe Classic Diamond Tennis Bracelet
The original tennis bracelet, and still the most coveted, is set entirely with white diamonds. The design is deceptively simple: each stone is individually set in a precious metal mount, the mounts linked together in a continuous, articulated line. This structure allows the bracelet to move fluidly around the wrist, catching the light from every angle as it does so.
The quality of the diamonds matters enormously. At Cheshires, we carry tennis bracelets set with stones selected for their cut, clarity and colour, upholding the same rigorous standards we apply across all our fine jewellery. The result is a piece that sparkles with real brilliance rather than the flat, milky appearance that can come from lesser stones.
14.57ct Diamond Tennis Bracelet in White Gold
An exceptional piece that perfectly embodies the classic tennis bracelet: a continuous line of brilliant white diamonds set in 18ct white gold. Effortlessly elegant and utterly timeless.
£44,000
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7.26ct Oval Cut Diamond Tennis Bracelet in Yellow Gold
A modern take on the tennis bracelet with oval-cut diamonds, a shape that elongates the stone and gives a softer, more romantic appearance than the traditional round brilliant. Set in warm 18ct yellow gold for a look that feels both contemporary and timeless.
£19,500
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7.00ct Heart Cut Diamond Tennis Bracelet in Yellow Gold
For those who love jewellery that is truly distinctive, this heart-cut tennis bracelet is one of the most extraordinary pieces we have ever stocked. Seven carats of individually cut heart-shaped diamonds set in 18ct yellow gold: a genuine statement piece.
£24,500
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17.89ct Emerald Cut Tennis Bracelet in Platinum
Arguably the most dramatic piece in our bracelet collection. Emerald-cut diamonds are known for their hall-of-mirrors brilliance: long, clean lines of light that catch the eye in a way quite unlike any other cut. At nearly 18 carats across a platinum setting, this bracelet is extraordinary.
£57,000
View BraceletThe Rise of the Coloured Stone Tennis Bracelet
While the all-diamond tennis bracelet remains the definitive classic, coloured gemstone versions have grown enormously in popularity and it is easy to see why. The structure of the tennis bracelet, that continuous articulated line, works beautifully with vibrant stones such as sapphires, rubies, tanzanite and tourmaline. Colour adds personality and meaning; many people choose a coloured stone bracelet that reflects their birthstone, or simply a colour that resonates with them.
The pairing of coloured stones with diamonds is particularly effective. The diamonds amplify the brilliance of the gemstones beside them, and the contrast between the sparkling white diamonds and the rich colour of the centre stones is quietly spectacular.
Oval Cut Sapphire & Diamond Tennis Bracelet in White Gold
Deep blue oval sapphires alternate with brilliant white diamonds in this breathtaking 18ct white gold bracelet. The cool palette of the white gold setting allows both the sapphires and diamonds to sing. A piece that would be equally at home at Wimbledon or a black-tie dinner.
£8,950
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Oval Cut Ruby & Diamond Tennis Bracelet in White Gold
Rubies have been prized above almost every other gemstone for centuries, and in this bracelet they are shown at their very best. Rich, fiery red ovals set against the crisp white of brilliant-cut diamonds: a combination of warmth and brilliance that is impossible to ignore.
£10,600
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Oval Cut Tanzanite & Diamond Tennis Bracelet in White Gold
Tanzanite, found only in a single location on earth near Mount Kilimanjaro, produces a colour of extraordinary depth: a blue-violet that shifts in different lights. Set alongside diamonds in white gold, this bracelet has a moody, almost otherworldly quality that is quite unlike anything else we stock.
£7,500
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Oval Cut Aquamarine & Diamond Bracelet in White Gold
If Wimbledon inspires thoughts of summer skies and pristine lawns, then aquamarine is the perfect gemstone to wear during the Championships. Its serene pale blue, the colour of clear coastal water, is effortlessly elegant alongside brilliant white diamonds in cool white gold.
£6,800
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Mint Tourmaline & Diamond Bracelet in Yellow Gold
Mint tourmaline is a stone for those who love colour but are drawn to something a little unexpected: a fresh, pale green that is both vibrant and soft. The warmth of 18ct yellow gold brings out the delicate hue of these tourmalines beautifully, and the diamonds set alongside them add real sparkle.
£7,600
View BraceletHow to Choose Your Tennis Bracelet
The first question is always stones: diamond, or coloured? A white diamond bracelet is the most versatile piece you will ever own, working with every outfit, every occasion and every other piece of jewellery. A coloured stone bracelet is more personal and more expressive; it tells you something about the person wearing it.
Next, consider the cut of the stones. Round brilliant diamonds are the most traditional and the most brilliant, scattering light in every direction. Oval cuts are softer and more elongated; emerald cuts are architectural and serene. Each cut gives the bracelet a different personality.
Finally, think about metal. White gold and platinum give a cool, crisp look that lets the diamonds or stones take centre stage. Yellow gold brings warmth and a more vintage feeling; it works particularly well with coloured stones.
Discover Our Bracelet Collection
From diamond tennis bracelets to coloured stone designs and statement bangles, all available to view in our stores or online. Visit us in store or book a personal appointment with our jewellery specialists.
