Diamond tennis bracelets, originally referred to as eternity bracelets or line bracelets, have been a favourite among jewellery lovers for generations. These classic pieces encircle the wrist in a sophisticated, shimmering line of diamonds, offering timeless elegance, and have become the cornerstone of many jewellery collections.
Most of us have heard that the term ‘tennis bracelet’ was coined during the 1987 U.S. Open when a young tennis champion called Chris Evert famously stopped play. She was wearing her precious gold and diamond bracelet to the court that day and played so vigorously that the clasp of her bracelet broke. In a panic, the tennis star initiated an emergency search before play could continue, and when the renegade jewel was found, the camera zoomed in for a close-up. As a result, millions of women across the globe desired one just like it, and from this iconic moment on, eternity bracelets were referred to as tennis bracelets.
Chris Evert in the 1970s. A former world #1 professional tennis player from Florida, Evert won 18 Grand Slam singles championships, including a record seven championships at the French Open and a record six championships at the U.S. Open.
While popular myth long misdated the event to 1987, Chris Evert and sports historians have confirmed that this iconic moment actually occurred during the 1978 U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows. When the clasp on her diamond line bracelet snapped mid-match, Evert famously paused play until the jewel was retrieved. Following this 1978 event, the term “tennis bracelet” officially entered the fine jewellery lexicon, forever cementing Evert’s court style in jewellery history.
Chris Evert’s dominance as a champion athlete—and the striking novelty of competing in high-stakes professional sport while wearing fine diamonds—helped perpetuate and cement the term worldwide.
While fine diamond jewellery is not typically considered sportswear, diamond tennis bracelets are uniquely suited to active, stylish individuals. One of the greatest advantages of owning a tennis bracelet is its remarkable versatility: it transitions effortlessly from day to night, looking just as sophisticated paired with a crisp white shirt or denim as it does with an evening gown.
While safety chains and figure-eight clasps had been standard security features on diamond line bracelets since the Art Deco period of the 1920s, Evert’s 1978 mishap inspired goldsmiths to refine these mechanisms even further. Modern master jewellers introduced dual-locking plunger catches and reinforced double-safety latches, ensuring that contemporary tennis bracelets remain completely secure during daily wear.
Dazzle brilliantly with our classic claw-set tennis bracelet set with 10.00cts of fine white diamonds. Mounted in 18ct white gold. We carry this style with various diamond sizes to suit your desired specifications.
Today, tennis bracelets are available in a multitude of designs to fit any taste and lifestyle. Our carefully curated selection features a distinctive range of styles for you to choose your perfect fit.
With South Africa producing the crème de la crème of diamonds, lovers of fine jewellery flock this way to find their timeless pieces. And when it comes to the best selection of diamond tennis bracelets, Cape Town sports the winning jewel.
At Mark Solomon Jewellers, we have possibly the largest selection of tennis bracelet styles in South Africa, and we also hand-set our 18ct white, yellow, rose and two-tone bracelets with perfectly calibrated diamonds in a selection of sizes and colour grades. This means we can offer the perfect bracelet at the perfect price to suit any budget. We also have a curated diamond Tennis Collection, including diamond tennis earrings and necklaces to complement your bracelet. So, whether you’re a sporty style icon or prefer a lifestyle of leisure, look no further than Mark Solomon Jewellers in Sea Point, Cape Town.
