Are you wondering what gave the tennis bracelet its name
Saturday, October 29, 2022
Are you wondering how the iconic tennis bracelet style got its name? The perennially popular sport of tennis is gaining a lot of popularity these days. While we are not all players, most of us are familiar with the style that is omnipresent in jewelry.
Tennis bracelets are simple strings of diamonds- stunning pieces of wrist jewelry. They come in various styles and designs, from elegant and sophisticated to dazzling and fancy. You guessed it right if you think the bracelet style has something to do with tennis. A professional tennis player with a prolific sports career between 1972 and 1989 coined the term bracelet. Chris Evert is credited for the name of the eternity strand of diamonds all women dream of having on their wrists. The American tennis player happened to break her George Bedwi diamond bracelet.
Continue reading this piece to learn the interesting story and history of the tennis bracelet.
Chris Evert, image, Instagram
The Back-Story of the Tennis Bracelet- An Overview
You probably must have caught on to the tennis bracelet trend if you are interested in delicate jewelry pieces. While scrolling through hundreds of pictures of these gorgeous wristbands, you may have wondered why they call it a tennis bracelet. Well, the tennis bracelet has an interesting back story, which might further compel you to get your hands on one. Alternatively, the trivia knowledge may make you appreciate your tennis bracelet if you already have one.
Initially, the jewelry went by the name “eternity bracelets.” Back in the time, it signified eternal love. People used tennis bracelets to express their love for their romantic partners and significant others. It was not until the 1970s that the bracelet design got the name "tennis bracelets."
What Is the History of the Tennis Bracelet?
The history of the tennis bracelet dates back to when the tennis player Chris Evert lost her diamond bracelet. Her George Bedwi jewelry piece broke during the game of the 1987 US Open and fell. It appears that the clasp on her bracelet snapped.
The accomplished player would religiously wear the delicate diamond bracelet to her matches. It hugged her wrist and had a small gap between the skin and jewelry- enough to allow the flexible moving of the bracelet. The eternity bracelet was a gorgeous addition to Evert’s impressive tennis outfits. Even people who may not have noticed Evert’s bracelet started paying close attention to the subtle yet chic design of the statement accessory.
After finding that her bracelet was no longer there on her wrist, Evert requested the officials to pause the match. She wanted to find the bracelet before continuing to play. She dramatically responded by insisting that she would not play until she found her tennis bracelet.
George Bedwwi instantly gained popularity after the incident; many people found it hilarious, cute, and dramatic. As a result, all brands in the industry started creating similar bracelets. They used the same manufacturing technique and style, with a string of diamonds and secure clasps.
In Evert’s own words, "I just dropped my bracelet on center court at the US Open, and that's when they called it the tennis bracelet." Evert’s story also inspired other tennis players like Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams to start wearing the exquisite bracelet design.
That said, you will find Tennis historians debating on the year in which the tennis bracelet incident took place. Manu suggests that Chris Evert’s diamond bracelet snapped and fell off a decade later, in 1987. However, the player has confirmed that the incident occurred ten years prior, in the year 1978. Chris Evert’s publicist says, “Chrissie recalls that she was wearing a diamond-and-gold bracelet, and it broke and fell onto the court in an early round of the Open.”
The Popularity of Tennis Bracelets
As the accessory took the entire US by storm, ‘tennis bracelet” came into existence. Customers and jewelers soon started referring to diamond bracelets as “tennis bracelets.” In manufacturing tennis bracelets, jewelry businesses saw a huge increase in their sales.
All of a sudden, everyone wanted to accessorize their casual and fancy outfits with this diamond accessory. Chris Evert’s style inspired people worldwide to use diamonds with sports and loungewear. It was not long until tennis bracelets became the perfect jewelry for the loungewear scenario. Besides enhancing sports ensembles, these bracelets are excellent for fancy outfits like dresses, skirts, etc. The trend started in 1978 and never ended.
Today, tennis bracelets are a staple piece in most people’s collections. They can instantly amp any outfit, adding elegance and class. This accessory looks great on its own and alongside other types of bracelets. You can wear it with chunky bangles or delicate wrist pieces, depending on your style, outfit, and occasion.
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What You Need to Know Before Buying a Tennis Bracelet
Tennis bracelets comprise a thing string with many tiny bracelets in line. They have a clasp to make wearing and removal easy for the wearer.
While the diamonds add elegance and a royal vibe, the sleek design ensures beauty. Tennis bracelets are tightly fit accessories that sit close to the skin- with only a little distance to allow it to move flexibly.
They are made with real gold and pure diamonds, so tennis bracelets are extremely pricey. Back in 1987, when the trend first emerged, tennis bracelets would cost between $1,500 and $30,000. Even today, you can expect to spend just as much to get your hands on an authentic piece.
Fortunately, the price range is huge. You can easily score a good deal to achieve the same level of class with a relatively affordable tennis bracelet.
This jewel style became a must-have addition to dressier ensembles too (as seen below on Meghan Markle, wearing a Cartier version)
Bottom Line
Tennis bracelets are an appealing and practical accessory; they are lightweight and flexible, after all. Not forgetting, the diamonds make them a timeless and versatile piece for all eras and occasions. While anyone can quickly fall in love with a tennis bracelet, it has an interesting name story to it. Thanks to Chris Evert, the tennis bracelet finally got the attention it deserved in 1987.
