Different Types of Tennis Bracelets
Posted on: August 3, 2010
Different Types of Tennis Bracelets
Ever since Chris Evert stopped the 1987 U.S. Open tennis match so she could find her eternity bracelet which had fallen off during play, the “tennis bracelet” has taken on a life of its own and various types and styles have come to represent various things. Of course, like many of these meanings attributed to jewellery or to specific types of stones or metals, it is all in the eye of the beholder, so this may not matter very much to you as an individual. Today one can find tennis bracelets set with kinds of stones, made of all kinds of metals, and that come in all shapes and sizes.
The traditional tennis bracelet – the one made famous in 1987 – was a thin bracelet made of a series of individually set diamonds, in a yellow gold bracelet. This is the most conventional form of tennis bracelet and still the most popular style on the market today. Since each of the stones is individually set, the bracelet is very flexible, which can make them somewhat tricky to properly size. If the bracelet is too loose, it is likely to fall off; whereas if it is too tight it can be both uncomfortable for the wearer and looks wrong as well. The whole idea behind the tennis bracelet is that it is light and wearable, even when engaged in physical activity, like tennis.
Of course the tennis bracelet owes much of its fame to the 1987 incident, in which the bracelet’s breaking was a key feature of the spectacle. Therefore, the idea of breaking is integral to the idea of the tennis bracelet in many people’s view. The result has been to reinforce them with both stronger clasps and with a safety catch. Almost all tennis bracelets, from the most expensive to the least, have this feature today; indeed, it is an integral part of what makes the bracelet a tennis bracelet. This means there is a basic clasp, as is found on most bracelets, and then a secondary catch that may come in one of two forms: the chain or the figure 8 latch. Both of these secondary latches work by connecting both sides of the clasp together, keeping the bracelet secure even if the clasp itself breaks – as happened to Evert.
Beyond the basics – the individually set stones, the loose wear, and the double clasp – the variety of tennis bracelets available today is virtually endless. Tennis bracelets can be found of almost any metal – from twenty-four carrot gold down to stainless steel – and can be set with any sort of stone, from real diamonds down to moissanite. Further, they can be found in almost any size, shape and design. In fact, because so many varieties are available, different stone settings and styles have come to represent various things. For example, wearing a tennis bracelet set with pink stones – like pink topaz or pink sapphires – has come to be identified with a way of promoting breast cancer awareness.
Essentially any small thin bracelet with its stones individually set and having a double clasp (clasp and safety catch) and meant to be worn loosely can be defined as a tennis bracelet. Beyond these basic criteria, the range of types and their possible meanings is entirely in the eyes of the beholder.
Ever since Chris Evert stopped the 1987 U.S. Open tennis match so she could find her eternity bracelet which had fallen off during play, the “tennis bracelet” has taken on a life of its own and various types and styles have come to represent various things. Of course, like many of these meanings attributed to jewellery or to specific types of stones or metals, it is all in the eye of the beholder, so this may not matter very much to you as an individual. Today one can find tennis bracelets set with kinds of stones, made of all kinds of metals, and that come in all shapes and sizes.
The traditional tennis bracelet – the one made famous in 1987 – was a thin bracelet made of a series of individually set diamonds, in a yellow gold bracelet. This is the most conventional form of tennis bracelet and still the most popular style on the market today. Since each of the stones is individually set, the bracelet is very flexible, which can make them somewhat tricky to properly size. If the bracelet is too loose, it is likely to fall off; whereas if it is too tight it can be both uncomfortable for the wearer and looks wrong as well. The whole idea behind the tennis bracelet is that it is light and wearable, even when engaged in physical activity, like tennis.
Of course the tennis bracelet owes much of its fame to the 1987 incident, in which the bracelet’s breaking was a key feature of the spectacle. Therefore, the idea of breaking is integral to the idea of the tennis bracelet in many people’s view. The result has been to reinforce them with both stronger clasps and with a safety catch. Almost all tennis bracelets, from the most expensive to the least, have this feature today; indeed, it is an integral part of what makes the bracelet a tennis bracelet. This means there is a basic clasp, as is found on most bracelets, and then a secondary catch that may come in one of two forms: the chain or the figure 8 latch. Both of these secondary latches work by connecting both sides of the clasp together, keeping the bracelet secure even if the clasp itself breaks – as happened to Evert.
Beyond the basics – the individually set stones, the loose wear, and the double clasp – the variety of tennis bracelets available today is virtually endless. Tennis bracelets can be found of almost any metal – from twenty-four carrot gold down to stainless steel – and can be set with any sort of stone, from real diamonds down to moissanite. Further, they can be found in almost any size, shape and design. In fact, because so many varieties are available, different stone settings and styles have come to represent various things. For example, wearing a tennis bracelet set with pink stones – like pink topaz or pink sapphires – has come to be identified with a way of promoting breast cancer awareness.
Essentially any small thin bracelet with its stones individually set and having a double clasp (clasp and safety catch) and meant to be worn loosely can be defined as a tennis bracelet. Beyond these basic criteria, the range of types and their possible meanings is entirely in the eyes of the beholder.