What is a Tennis Necklace?

Tennis necklaces have become a trend over these past several years, with a host of celebrities sporting one in both casual and dressy scenarios. Have you been searching for the perfect tennis necklace to complete your fashion look? Perhaps you just want to know what a tennis necklace is? While we’ve got you covered, read for more details if you’re here to find out about this precious piece!

What does a tennis necklace mean?

Firstly, it might be worth establishing what this jewelry piece actually is. A tennis necklace is a necklace that has a line of gemstones, either big or small, offering a classic look around the neckline. This necklace is typically worn close to the neck, with popular lengths falling between 10 inches for a choker and 18 inches for a longer layering piece. Think of a tennis style as a tight strand of diamonds. You can find different types of tennis necklaces, including ones with varying grades of diamonds, so the one you choose is really up to your preference. Usually, they are constructed with white gold, although yellow gold and rose gold have become popular as the trend continues to emerge. Now let’s get to our most asked questions.

Can you wear a tennis necklace every day?

The simple answer to this one is yes; you can certainly wear a tennis necklace every day! The great thing about this type of necklace is that it works for both casual and more dressy occasions, depending on the type of tennis necklace you choose.

If you’re looking for a tennis necklace that is good for every day, we recommend considering the carat weight, setting, and stone type. Everyone feels comfortable in different size diamonds, so size is up to personal preference. We have found that most customers prefer .02-carat diamonds or less for an everyday look. In terms of the setting, the three-prong is the least dressy, and a bezel setting is the most formal. A 4 prong setting is what people think of as a classic tennis necklace.

Diamonds are, of course, the dressiest stone. Despite the classic, elegant look of diamonds, they actually work pretty well when paired with jeans and tees, as well as sophisticated dresses. Blue sapphires, emeralds, and rubies are considered the next fanciest after diamonds. While wearing diamonds every day has become the norm if you want to dress down your look, opt for milder gemstones, such as aquamarine or lean into a colorful look with a rainbow tennis necklace.

So, the choice is up to you – wear this piece whenever and wherever you want – as long as you feel great! They are countless options for creating the perfect tennis necklace. With a tennis style, no matter the size, gemstones, setting, or cut - it’s hard to go wrong!

Quality factors when purchasing a tennis necklace

When it comes to tennis necklaces, there are several important factors to consider in terms of high quality, including the material used, craftsmanship, and additional costs.

Tennis necklaces are one of the more expensive pieces of jewelry. Customers will often ask about swapping the gold for sterling silver or even brass. We highly recommend 14k gold, 18k gold, or platinum for tennis jewelry. These metals are more malleable, meaning they can be formed with more precision. Tennis necklaces are a delicate style so can break easily. It is essential they are made with durable metal. Even gold with a lower karat concentration, such as 10k, should be avoided.

Stone quality is often over looked but just like when buying an engagement ring, be sure to investigate stone quality. However, unlike when buying an engagement ring, the stones in a tennis necklace will not be GIA certified. That is why you must go to a reputable jeweler. We recommend GH color and SI1/SI2 clarity when purchasing a tennis necklace. The necklace will look dull when the diamond quality is less than that. If a description says near-colorless, that could mean G, or it could mean H, so be sure to ask. 

Not all tennis necklaces are created equal. Craftmanship will make or quite literally break your tennis necklace. The setting is the number one thing to look for when purchasing a tennis necklace. It is a true skill to create prong settings very close to each other. Lower-quality tennis bracelets will have gaps between the stone settings.

As with any piece of fine jewelry, there is the risk of it being stolen or it breaking. We always recommend insuring your valuables. Insurance usually costs 1-2% of the piece's price per year. Keep this expense in mind when purchasing.

How to wear a tennis necklace? How to layer a tennis necklace?

Treat styling and layering your tennis necklace as you would with other jewelry pieces: less is generally more. While you may want to lavish yourself in every jewelry piece you own, you should keep things simple for a more sophisticated look and layer up to three necklaces at most. You can experiment with both delicate and chunky chains. Layering your tennis necklace with up to two other pieces could avoid overdoing the look. Tennis necklaces can stand their ground on their own, so be careful not to add too much to them. Otherwise, you’ll lose the allure of your tennis necklace (and the entire look).

Additionally, consider the lengths of your necklaces. Typically, you’ll want to keep each piece around two inches apart to enhance the sophistication of your style. Furthermore, consider where the eye is drawn when you layer up your necklaces. Attention typically goes to the top and bottom pieces. With this in mind, it’s probably worth placing the diamond tennis necklace at the top or bottom, encouraging you and those around you to celebrate it the most.

Another consideration is the metal type. If all of your necklaces are one metal color, don’t be afraid to mix metals when it comes to layering your tennis necklace. Tennis necklaces are statement pieces and can stand out with a different metal color.

Color can work quite well to give your necklace stack a more dynamic look. This being said, ensure you preserve some sophistication to avoid a tacky look – for example, choose stones that are all consistent in their sizing.

How much does a diamond tennis necklace cost?

While this may be the most important question for some people, it’s actually quite tricky to answer. There is no set price for a diamond tennis necklace, as it can vary depending on the shop and product type. Tennis chain necklaces can start at lower 4-figure numbers but can increase to six figures. The price depends on several factors, including the gemstone, the precious metal, the setting, the stone quality, the length, natural diamond vs. lab diamond, and more!

If you love a tennis necklace but are slightly out of your budget, one easy recommendation to implement without losing the look is to decrease the number of stones and add chain instead. For example, a 16” tennis necklace with .02 carat diamonds is too expensive. You can make it 12” of .02 carat diamonds and 4” of gold chain. This will significantly reduce the number of diamonds used and, therefore, the cost! If you have a certain budget in mind, a jeweler can help you find a tennis necklace that fits your criteria by adjusting the components of the tennis necklace.

How to prevent a diamond tennis necklace from flipping?

Flipping is a common problem with tennis necklaces because their simple strand of jewels is so light. After all, many other jewelry pieces have a heavy pendant to weigh them down. So, to avoid the problem of flipping, you can follow a few different tips.

For one, you can shorten your tennis necklace. Shortening the necklace increases the chain’s tension, decreasing the chance it will flip. Ask your local jewelry to trim your piece for you, or look out for this feature if you are in the process of purchasing.

Secondly, reduce flipping by choosing a larger diamond-carat size. These carat sizes are heavier than smaller ones, and the best thing is that they can add some more shimmer and sophistication to your overall look.

Thirdly, a tennis necklace can be soldered in place. There are pros and cons to this solution. Once it is welded, it will not bend like a typical tennis necklace design. However, it dramatically decreases the flipping. To solder your necklace, you will have to bring your tennis necklace to a highly skilled jeweler.

Finally, try opting for a graduated design. While we advise stone size consistency, if you’re mixing stone colors, you may consider getting a necklace with a stone larger than the rest in the center. This will increase the center’s weight, thus reducing the chance that the piece will flip.

Diamond tennis necklaces as a trend

You may know by this point that diamond tennis necklaces have emerged as a popular trend. Tennis bracelets initially became widespread in the 1980s, although they held their popularity when jewelers started to incorporate diamonds into them.

Indeed, modern celebrities and influencers have tried out diamond tennis necklaces in their outfits, including Dua Lipa, who has been spotted showing off a classic look with a Shay-branded version. Emily Ratajkowski also adopted the trend with a Niwaka version, while Zendaya has been spotted with a Forevermark diamond tennis necklace. Additionally, Jennifer Lawrence and Hailey Bieber, amongst many other celebrity women, have been spotted adorned in this necklace-type, suggesting that this fashion trend is here to stay.

What style tennis necklaces are there?

A classic tennis necklace refers to a tennis necklace that is constructed with the following features: 14k white gold, round-cut diamonds, and a 4-prong setting. However, many variations are growing in popularity.

The gemstone: tennis necklaces can be made out of any gemstone. Sapphire, emerald, and ruby tennis necklaces are extremely popular alternatives to white diamonds.

The metal: White gold is a similar color to real diamonds, giving the diamonds a slightly more prominent appearance. Yellow gold is currently trending and gives off a bold look. With it’s pinkish hue, rose gold is also a beloved option.

The gemstone shape: We love an alternative tennis necklace. Customers opt for emeralds, pears, and baguettes in their tennis necklaces. Some are even mixing shapes!

The setting: Bezel has grown significantly in popularity for a good reason, it gives off a very bold look. It is a more modern setting. However, bezels require more metal than a prong setting so that it can be more expensive.

Why Is It Called A Tennis Necklace?

Chris Evert, a top women’s tennis player, famously wore a diamond line bracelet whenever she was on the court. During the 1987 US Open, the match stopped to look for her tennis bracelet that fell off. From there on, this style of the diamond bracelet was called a tennis bracelet. With her gain in popularity, the demand for diamond tennis bracelets surged. From there, other types of tennis jewelry styles emerged, including tennis anklets, tennis necklaces, and tennis earrings. In jewelry, tennis became a way to define the style explained above, a line of gemstones.

What are the other names for a tennis necklace?

You may have heard of other names for tennis necklaces before. However, they are sometimes called eternity necklaces, line necklaces, infinity necklaces, tennis chains, and tennis chokers.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Hopefully, you now know a thing or two more about tennis necklaces than you did before. We can’t recommend completing your look with this piece enough, whether you opt for diamonds or other gemstones. This type of jewelry isn’t something you should shy away from, especially if you’re searching for a subtle and sophisticated look.

Tennis necklaces can provide a great sense of self-confidence. Plus, you may catch a few eyes along the way! By following our guide on layering, styling, and avoiding flipping, you can be well on your way to rocking this fantastic necklace type. We are always available to answer more questions!