The History Behind The Iconic Tennis Bracelet + 5 You Should Own

Tennis bracelets have quickly become the quiet luxury staple within both the jewelry and fashion worlds. Whether you go down a social media rabbit hole, happen to be someone hyper-fixated on jewelry, or you just want to add to your trivia repertoire, knowing about the history of the tennis bracelet is certainly a flex.

The bracelet’s iconic status didn’t come about just because it was a popular pierce to wear. The style itself has been around since the 1920s. And before they were referred to as tennis bracelets, jewelers and jewelry-wearers alike knew them as ‘eternity bracelets.’ The bracelets, similar to the eternity bands we still see at jewelry stores today, were designed to represent eternal love and often featured a string of diamonds in a long line…an eternal loop of sparkling jewels. Modern-day tennis bracelets still typically feature the same pavé look, though now you may see fewer diamonds, other gemstone options, or colors being explored.

By the time the ‘70s rolled around, eternity bracelets had only grown in popularity. The simplistic look of the bracelet was chic, glittering, and casual, making it perfect for the disco era. With understated luxury on the rise, pairing a diamond bracelet with jeans, cozy sweaters, or even workout sets wasn’t unheard of–and began to be the exact market jewelers would cater to when it came to these subtle pieces.

The phrase, ‘tennis bracelet,’ wouldn’t enter our collective jewelry vocabulary until 1978. One of the tennis stars of the time, Chris Evert, began to wear an eternity bracelet to her matches. For her, this delicate bracelet was the perfect accessory as it was just loose enough to allow her to move around comfortably and play well.

It worked wonderously and quietly, until the U.S Open in 1978.

Mid-swing, her bracelet fell off, skating across the tennis court. Now, people were forced to take notice of this subtle accessory. With the diamond and gold bracelet somewhere in the middle of the court, Evert asked for the game to be paused as she looked. Once that happened, thin eternity bracelets were impossible to ignore. They’d put the U.S Open on pause, after all.

Following the commotion, the jewelry industry decided to capitalize on the moment, swapping the name ‘eternity bracelet’ to ‘tennis bracelet’, and often having models pose for shoots on the court.

And that is how the legendary bracelet was born. But if you’re looking for some favorites (at a range of prices), we have five picked out for you below. —Sydney Yeager

Bauble Bar’s Custom & Colorful Tennis Bracelet, $68

Available in green, red, and blue, this slim take on the tennis bracelet from Bauble Bar is the perfect entry point. Priced at just $68, the bracelet is gold-plated and made from cubic zirconia, proving that good quality doesn’t always have to hurt your bank account. And if you love personalized jewelry, you can add in whatever phrase you want between the glittering stones.

Zales’ Classic Silver Tennis Bracelet, $549

This silver and diamond tennis bracelet is the perfect sophisticated classic. Traditional in every sense, the line of round-brilliant cut diamonds (which adds up to 1/4 carat) is secured with a box clasp. Irresistibly shiny, if you’re considering this bracelet, we recommend running to Zales’ now as it’s currently on sale for $329!

Pandora Sparkling Tennis Bracelet $128

This classic cubic zirconia tennis bracelet from Pandora is another great starter (or layering piece) if you’re just getting into jewelry stacking. Available in a range of colors and multiple metal options, this bracelet is easy to personalize to exactly what you want.

Catbird Halequin Rainbow Tennis Bracelet $1198

If you’re looking for a tennis bracelet that could never be called ordinary, this rainbow option from Catbird will be right up your alley. The bracelet is made up of (ethically sourced) gold and pink tourmaline, citrine, peridot, blue topaz, and amethyst, all finished off and attached to your wrist with a box clasp. It’s elegant, fun, and the perfect modern take on the traditional tennis bracelet. 

Vari Tennis Bracelet with 5 Center Stones $600

If you want something less traditional, more affordable, and revolving around diamonds, then this is the perfect bracelet. Vari’s tennis bracelet doesn’t feature an infinity-esque design; rather, it showcases five beautiful lab-grown diamonds (in a range of sizes) set at the center of the bracelet. Perfect for more casual wear, this design is hard to pass up.