There are few fashion trends that have withstood the test of time – be it the French manicure, a pair of pearl earrings, a good pair of jeans, or even a classic waxed jacket.
But there’s another accessory we need to add to the list – and it’s the tennis necklace.
Don’t discount its younger counterpart, the tennis bracelet, either.
The sparkling, diamond-linked jewelry has been seen as a glitzy status symbol for many glamorous country club and wealthy suburban women everywhere for the past few decades, glittering on their wrists and necks while they sip Arnold Palmers in the sun or attend Pilates classes at the gym.
But in recent years, the reputation of this classic jewelry piece has evolved, in part due to its popularity with mega-celebrities like Taylor Swift as it has modernized.
According to Anna Ruzhnikov, Head of Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels in New York, the tennis bracelet is actually the piece that has roots in the game of tennis.
‘It received its nickname “tennis bracelet” when one famously flew off the wrist of tennis champion Chris Evert during a US Open match in 1978,’ Ruzhnikov told DailyMail.com.
‘The new sporty moniker transformed the perception of diamonds, making it acceptable to wear diamonds during the day, especially with casual attire.’
The necklace, on the other hand, is a design that has been in production for upwards of 200 years, per Ruzhnikov.
She explained that it ‘evolved from the rivière style, with larger diamonds in the front, graduating to smaller stones at the back.’
And, while the tennis necklace today is ‘sleeker than its Victorian cousin,’ Ruzhnikov said, its ‘timeless appeal has remained.’
Evident in pop culture in the early aughts, the glittering pieces appeared as a staple worn by the ultimate rich mom, Emily Gilmore, at her vow renewal during season five of hit show, Gilmore Girls as well as her New Jersey counterpart, matriarch Carmela Soprano, on The Sopranos.
Of course, the accessory has also been seen on the real-life rich moms on the early aughts of Bravo’s The Real Housewives franchises and Keeping Up With the Kardashians – not to mention on the streets of The Upper East Side and Beverly Hills, too.
But in recent years, these pieces that may have once seemed dated for everyday young women have made a powerful resurgence.
According to Olivia Landau, who is the founder and CEO of luxe jewelry brand The Clear Cut, much of this revival is due to the ‘quiet luxury’ trend that took off a few years ago – and the look has stuck around ever since.
‘We’ve seen many celebrities and influencers sporting tennis necklaces and bracelets, which has amplified their allure,’ Landau told DailyMail.com.
‘High-profile events, red carpets, and even casual social media posts have made these pieces more desirable,’ she added.
It’s true – this past February, Taylor Swift wore a glittering, $7,500 diamond tennis choker by jeweler Stephanie Gottlieb as she cheered on boyfriend Travis Kelce at the 2024 Super Bowl.
It-girl Hailey Bieber dressed down the glittering accessory on a green juice run in January 2022, pairing her $10,000 pink tennis necklace from Jennifer Meyer with a pair of baggy blue jeans and an oversized leather jacket.
And, during her appearance on Saturday Night Live in March, Sydney Sweeney sported the dazzling accessory – specifically, the exact one that Swift wore to the Super Bowl.
This summer, the tennis necklace also got some time on the big screen in the hit film Challengers, when star Zendaya, who played character Tashi Duncan, was dripping in all different kinds of diamonds during the fictional romantic drama.
Landau told DailyMail.com that the popularity in tennis jewelry has reflected in The Clear Cut’s sales, too.
Their tennis pieces in 2024 will perform 318 per cent better compared to 2020, she said.
‘Simple and elegant designs always seem to endure the test of time as they’re alluring to a wide audience,’ Ruzhnikov said.
Ruzhnikov shared that their versatility is also a ‘key factor’ in the tennis bracelet and necklace’s popularity, as you can dress it up or down, as we’ve even seen on these celebrities.
‘Many tennis necklaces these days detach into sections, allowing for wear as bracelets, further adding to their versatility and wearability,’ the jewelry expert divulged.
‘Pairing just as easily with the athleisure days of pandemic lockdown, tennis necklaces and bracelets also fit in nicely with the maximalist trend of today, where layers of matched or mismatched jewels is a fresh and popular look.’
Younger people are styling tennis necklaces and bracelets in some ‘fresh and modern ways,’ too, according to Landau.
This includes going for a mixed-metal look, like using rose gold with silver, and picking smaller, more delicate cuts.
Some of the most popular styles that the jeweler has seen this year include more unique cuts like the pear shape, bezel set marquise, or bezel set emerald cut.
In terms of bracelets, emerald-cut and mixed diamond-cuts have been a crowd favorite for her clientele and beyond.
But just because you’re in pursuit of a tennis necklace or bracelet of your own, you won’t have to break the bank doing so.
Many brands, like BaubleBar and even J.Crew, are making their own versions of tennis necklaces and bracelets by using cubic zirconia or other materials for less than $100.
You can even find the necklace style on Amazon, or at Walmart, with accessible price points to match.
However, if you’re in the market for the real deal, Landau said there are a few things to look out for when you’re picking out your diamonds.
The first thing to pay attention to is something called the Four Cs – cut, color, clarity and carat weight.
‘These characteristics will significantly impact the overall sparkle and value of the piece,’ Landau explained.
Another important feature is the craftmanship of the piece, which is something you can observe when you’re picking out your diamond.
‘High-quality pieces will have even, secure settings and a smooth finish,’ Landau said.
And, finally, it’s important to find a piece that you like and feels true to you – not just because it’s trendy.
‘A tennis necklace or bracelet is an investment, so it’s important that you love wearing it and that it suits your style and personality,’ the diamond expert shared.
