Diamond Tennis Bracelets Buying Guide: Best Lab-Grown Diamond Tennis Bracelets

A tennis bracelet is a bracelet comprised of numerous diamonds, or stones, linked together one by one on a metal chain. Tennis bracelets traditionally feature the same diamond shape and size, but contemporary designs today may combine various diamond shapes.

Tennis bracelets were originally called line bracelets. They were very popular during the 1920s and embodied Art Deco jewelry. Line bracelets were worn as glamorous statement pieces for special occasions, often layered with numerous bracelets.
  
By the 1970s, however, line bracelets became tennis bracelets and were worn very differently. U.S. professional tennis player, Chris Evert, was known for her incredible skill and stylish outfits. Evert began famously wearing line bracelets to her matches - the first athlete to do so.
  
During the 1978 US Open, her bracelet broke during the match. Time was called so she could find the broken pieces. After this infamous interruption, line bracelets became forever known as tennis bracelets and exploded in popularity.
  
Wearing tennis bracelets with everyday attire, both on and off the court, is a trend that endures today. Other notable celebrities who have famously worn tennis bracelets include Kate Middleton, Hailey Bieber, Lenny Kravitz, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Winslet, Meghan Markle, and Kate Moss.

Tennis bracelets typically feature one row of diamonds of the same size and quality. While the diamonds are set along a metal chain, various metal types are used in tennis bracelets, including gold, platinum, and recycled gold. Platinum is especially valued for its durability and luxurious appearance, while recycled gold is a popular choice for those seeking sustainable and eco-friendly jewelry options. Tennis bracelets can have several different settings, however. The three primary types of tennis bracelet settings are:

A prong setting is the most popular setting for a tennis bracelet. Prong settings securely set each diamond in a small, hidden metal basket with either two, three, or four tiny individual prongs holding each diamond.
  
“Our tennis bracelets are a bit more modern than a standard tennis bracelet, with three prongs holding each diamond instead of four. They don't have the boxy line bracelet look of many traditional tennis bracelet offerings. You really see each diamond sparkle. They move very fluidly on the wrist,” explains Grace Taylor, VRAI’s Sr. Director of Sales & CX.

A channel setting hugs each diamond on the sides with two rows of metal. Channel settings allow each diamond to closely line up, side by side. Bezel Set Tennis Bracelets Bezel settings encompass each diamond in a thin metal layer either fully, or partially. Bezel settings are known for their security.

Classic tennis bracelets are versatile designs that can be worn with anything and are ideal for daily wear due to their durability and secure settings. It’s best to wear a tennis bracelet on your non-dominant wrist (if you’re right-handed, wear it on your left wrist) and ensure you select the correct wrist size for a comfortable and secure fit.

“Tennis bracelets are generally intended to be worn every day,” explains Taylor. “They have a huge amount of versatility which means they work with jeans or dressed up for a night out.” A tennis bracelet looks stylish when worn with anything - from a ball gown to athleisure.
  
Keep in mind that tennis bracelets contain numerous real diamonds. To preserve your tennis bracelets, avoid wearing them to places or activities that could cause damage.

When choosing the best lab-grown diamond tennis bracelet, consider the design, quality, ethical sourcing, and your budget. Ethical sourcing ensures that your jewelry aligns with responsible and sustainable practices. Lab-created stones and lab diamonds are sustainable and ethical alternatives to mined and natural diamonds, making them an excellent choice for socially conscious consumers. Use the below steps as a guide to buying a tennis bracelet.

Diamonds are the star of the show when it comes to a tennis bracelet. Decide on your ideal diamond shape. Different diamond shapes will completely transform the look of your bracelet.
  
Most tennis bracelets feature Round Brilliant, Emerald, or Baguette cut diamonds.

Carat weight greatly determines the total cost of a tennis bracelet. The larger the diamond, the higher the cost. Quality is more important for larger diamonds as inclusions are more noticeable at higher carat weights. This also raises the total cost.
  
The diamond size dramatically impacts the bracelets’ overall appearance. Lower-carat-weight tennis bracelets will have noticeably more diamonds, whereas higher-carat-weight tennis bracelets will have fewer but larger diamonds.

“Diamond quality is always something to consider, but with tennis bracelets, you also need to make sure that all of the diamonds match,” explains Taylor. If the diamonds differ in quality, tennis bracelets will not look cohesive. Closely inspect your tennis bracelet before buying to ensure it offers the brilliance you desire.
  
“The diamonds in our lab-grown tennis bracelets are not individually certified like a center stone for an engagement ring because melee-sized diamonds are batch graded,” continues Taylor. “Individual diamond certification is a costly process. It’s not the norm for jewelry pieces featuring numerous smaller diamonds.”
  
To ensure quality diamonds, always buy from a reputable retailer and look for color and clarity grades. We use colorless (DEF) and VS2+ clarity diamonds to ensure VRAI tennis bracelets have peak brilliance and quality.

The diamond quality, carat weight, shape, and metal choice will determine the price of a diamond tennis bracelet. Some retailers also offer free returns as a customer benefit, making it easier and more secure for buyers to make a purchase decision.

Tennis bracelets often cost more than most bracelet designs as they feature numerous high-quality diamonds. While most bracelet designs feature 1-4 diamonds, tennis bracelets consist entirely of linked diamonds.

Diamond shape and quality largely determine the worth of a diamond tennis bracelet, as will craftsmanship. VRAI diamond tennis bracelets feature high-quality lab-created diamonds, set in premium materials by our expert craftsman. Our tennis bracelets are priced according to their value, not middleman markups.