A diamond tennis bracelet is arguably one of the most elegant gifts you can ever get for that special woman in your life. After all, if a diamond is a girl’s best friend, tennis bracelets can give her an entire posse.

But giving the gift of a tennis bracelet might have the men feeling pretty jealous. With their sheer number of diamonds and their classy appearance, it’s easy to want to borrow your girlfriend’s piece before a night out.

Well, it’s 2021, and times are changing faster than ever. This means that tennis bracelets are no longer a jewelry item reserved for women: men can (and should) start wearing them too.

Let’s talk about how men can wear tennis bracelets to fully maximize their style in formal settings, casual settings, and everything in between.

What Are Tennis Bracelets?

A lot of men might not be able to distinguish a tennis bracelet from every other bracelet out there. Most bracelets, like Cuban bracelets, are held together by chain links, much like a necklace. They’re primarily made with gold or another type of metal, though they may be studded with diamonds on the surface.

With tennis chains, the diamonds are the links. You’ll see in this baguette tennis bracelet, for example, that each individual stone acts as a binding force holding the piece together. As you can tell, the stones are the defining characteristic of these bracelets.

Baguette Tennis Bracelet

But with that said, these tend to be a bit less sturdy than interlinked bracelets that are joined together with metal or steel. In fact, their vulnerability is what got them their name.

In the 1987 U.S. open, tennis player Chris Evert had to stop mid-game because her diamond bracelet broke, so she wanted to find the clasp before continuing. In an interview, she referred to it as her “tennis bracelet,” and the name has stuck ever since.

It’s hard to imagine calling these iconic bracelets anything other than that, so in a way, we’re grateful for this mishap. Not to mention, tennis bracelets are now engineered with stronger clasps to prevent the risk of similar mishaps from occurring ever again.

And this is good, as you’ll want to wear your diamond tennis bracelet to every single function you attend.

What To Look for in a Men’s Tennis Bracelet

If you’re a man in the market for a brand new tennis bracelet, or you’re looking to surprise your man with a sentimental piece, there are a few things you’ll want to consider ahead of time. 

Here’s everything you need to know:

Find the Right Color

While the diamonds are the main attraction on a tennis bracelet, they’re not the only feature that people will notice. The base metal that the diamonds rest on is just as important, and it can dramatically change the look and feel of your piece.

Most tennis bracelets use a white gold base, as these tend to blend in with the diamonds the best. This makes the entire bracelet look like it’s made of pure diamond on all sides, giving it a clean and poised appearance. White gold tennis bracelets look professional, meaning you can easily wear these with a suit and tie. However, they’d look just as great with casual attire.

Clustered Tennis Bracelet White Gold

For a more traditional and royal appearance, you’ll want to get yourself a tennis bracelet in 18k gold. 18k gold has a bronze sheen that contrasts with the diamonds, letting them pop a little bit more. This is a great way to get people to focus on the diamonds, helping to bump your wealth and status to unimaginable degrees.

While these are the most common tennis bracelet colors, they aren’t the only ones. If you’re a man who really isn’t afraid to break boundaries and act bravely in your style choices, you can get a tennis bracelet in rose gold. The pink hue paired with the diamonds creates an extremely unique, compatible mixture that is sure to make a statement.

Choose a Diamond Shape

Since the diamonds are the focal point of these types of bracelets, it’s important to take some time to think about what type of diamond cut you want to include.

The traditional and classic design for tennis bracelets uses circular round cut gems. This is a good neutral pick for a man who isn’t well versed in wearing bracelets or jewelry and doesn’t really know where to start. However, it’d also look great on anyone who just wants an all-around piece that feels balanced and natural.

5mm Round Cut Diamond Tennis Bracelet White Gold

Baguette tennis bracelets ditch the round cut for a more rectangular, geometric shape. These feel more forceful and powerful, giving them an essence that shows you mean business. This is a variation for a man who wants to be respected and admired without ever needing to open his mouth.

And if both of these sound right up your alley, you can get the best of both worlds with a clustered tennis bracelet. These incorporate tons of small studs rather than a few large stones, giving them a more reflective appearance. Their octagonal shape feels unique, allowing them to stand out in any situation.

What To Wear With Tennis Bracelets

If you’re fashion-forward enough to get yourself a tennis bracelet, then it’s likely that you either own tons of other pieces or you’re going to be getting some more. If you want your tennis bracelet to become the focal point of your look, there are a few things you can do.

Clustered Tennis Bracelet White Gold

For one, make sure your tennis bracelet matches the metals of your other pieces as well. For example, if you’re wearing a white gold tennis bracelet, try to make sure that your chains or rings are white gold as well. If you’re getting the bracelet as a gift for your man, you can look through his existing pieces to see which variation he might appreciate most.

Also, there’s nothing that says you can’t wear multiple tennis bracelets at one time. In fact, since they’re so slim, you can easily layer your tennis bracelets to amplify your status and wealth. This also gives you a chance to mix and match colors without looking tacky.

Serving Looks

Tennis bracelets are some of the most sought-after pieces of jewelry in the world, as there are few alternatives that can replicate their class and luster. While they’ve long been reserved for women, men can definitely start to get in on the action.

If you’re buying for yourself or for someone else, the most important thing to remember is that  you want the bracelet to match their personality. Make sure the color and diamond shape is something that they’ll be proud to show off alongside plenty of other matching pieces.

 

Sources:

How the Tennis Bracelet Got Its Name | Gemological Institute of America

Why is Gold Yellow? Spoiler Alert: Einstein Again | ZME Science

Different Diamond Shapes: Ultimate Guide with Size & Price Chart | International Gem Society