Tennis bracelets are named after a 1987 incident involving professional tennis player Chris Evert. They are popular for formal occasions and feature individually set diamonds in a square shape. Safety latches, such as chain or figure-of-eight deadbolts, are important for well-constructed bracelets. Custom fit is also crucial for comfort and security.
It’s not often that a piece of jewelry is named after an accident, but such is the case with tennis bracelets. This jewelry received its unusual name from an incident involving professional tennis player Chris Evert during a match in 1987. Evert wore an expensive bracelet with an in-line chain of individually set diamonds. When the brooch broke, he asked officials to halt the match until the jewelry could be found. Since that day, bracelets with a line of diamonds in line have been called tennis bracelets.
Tennis bracelets are popular accessories for formal occasions due to their sparkle and shine. Individual diamonds (or reasonable facsimiles) are set in a square shape and then strung into a bracelet attached by a clasp. The setting and supporting wiring can be constructed of silver or other quality jewelry metal. Individual configurations allow the bracelet to be moved comfortably while worn.
Other types of jewelry that are very similar in shape are often referred to as tennis style. Clusters of different sized stones can be used in tennis-style bracelets, but the jewelry retains the online look of original tennis bracelets. Classic bracelets tend to feature a uniform arrangement of diamonds and can be very expensive.
An important element of well-constructed tennis bracelets is the safety latch. The clasp on a typical bracelet relies on a springy metal latch that engages securely with a hook. Over time, this style of closure can become less reliable. Therefore, jewelry designers include a secondary security measure. The two most common styles of deadbolts are chain and “figure-of-eights.”
The chain safety latch connects from one small bolt to another on the other side of the main clasp. If the main clasp fails, the chain should keep the bracelet intact until it can be repaired. The figure eight deadbolt is a small metal double loop. One loop fits over a small post on one side of the main clasp, while the other loop fits over a similar post on the opposite side. Even if the main clasp comes apart, the figure of eight loop will keep the bracelet from falling off.
Tennis bracelets should be custom fit for maximum security and comfort. One that fits too loosely can snag and pull. Bracelets that are too tight can irritate the skin and stretch to the point of breaking. An ideal fit allows a finger to easily pass between the bracelet and the wrist.
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