Tennis Racquet Necklace
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Finding the Right pendant-necklaces for You
Whether you’re layering multiple jewelry pieces or opting for a single strand, vintage pendant necklaces are versatile accessories that can elevate your casual wear as easily as they can add a creative flourish to your formal attire.
The earliest jewelry was less about accessorizing than it was about wearers arming themselves with amulets. In Ancient Egypt, some amulets featured a loop so that they could be strung around one’s neck. While rubies have long been one of the few gemstones that can give diamonds a run for their money, members of some ancient civilizations valued the stones from the get-go, donning ruby pendants as well as other stones with the belief that these adornments would bring protection, healing powers or strength. Today, we still wear our charm bracelets and charm pendants around our necks for good luck.
Later, pendant necklaces, like most fine jewelry, were worn strictly by royalty or the upper class and conferred wealth and prestige. This changed over time, thankfully, as wearing jewelry became more widespread, a democratized means of personal expression.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, pendant necklaces evolved from their status as spiritual amulets, but the jewels still carried deep personal significance. Victorian pendants, in particular, were part of the “mourning jewelry” tradition. Wearers would embed their pendants with locks of hair from a deceased loved one as a way of grieving in the wake of a loss. In the case of cameo jewelry, some pendants were even decorated with miniature hand-carved portraits in a detailed raised relief. Today, portraiture is still a characteristic of many of the hand-carved pendant necklaces offered by Italian jewelry house Scala Gioielli.
Luxury fine jewelry brands such as Cartier, BVLGARI and David Yurman offer their own unique interpretations of the cherished accessory, embellishing platinum or gold pendant necklaces with diamonds, sapphires and other stones.
On 1stDibs, find an extraordinary range of vintage pendant necklaces and other necklaces today.
- What are tennis necklaces?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A tennis necklace, also known as a tennis chain, refers to a type of necklace made from small diamonds or gemstones connected by precious metals like gold or silver. The term originated in the 1980s when these necklaces were commonly worn by tennis players. Shop a collection of vintage and contemporary tennis necklaces and bracelets from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The term “tennis necklace” means a piece of jewelry worn around the neck that consists of a continuous series of precious gemstones of matching size and shape. Most often, diamonds are the stones featured in tennis necklaces. Find a range of tennis necklaces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Generally, a tennis necklace should sit just above or below the neckline of whatever a person is wearing. For most people, tennis necklaces that are 16 to 18 inches long are ideal. However, some may wish to wear a longer piece if they are tall, have a wide neck or are wearing a low-cut top or dress. Explore a collection of tennis necklaces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 21, 2023Yes, you can generally wear your tennis necklace every day. Chains that are 3 millimeters thick or smaller are common choices for everyday wear because their size allows them to be dressed up or down to suit different occasions. Just remember to take your necklace off before showering, applying skin care products or participating in activities that could damage your jewelry. Shop a wide range of tennis necklaces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023What a good size is for a tennis necklace depends on your preferences. In terms of thickness, 3 millimeters is the average or medium size, but you can find thinner options for a subtler look and chunkier ones that make a more dramatic statement. Lengths vary as well, with 18 to 20 inches being among the most common dimensions. Shorter tennis chains may work better with some necklines, and those who want to layer their tennis necklaces may prefer longer pieces. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of tennis necklaces.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To keep a tennis necklace from flipping, attach a bead, metal ball or charm to the necklace chain at the clasp to serve as a counterweight. Flipping occurs when the clasp weighs more than the chain. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of tennis necklaces.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023Yes, you can wear a pendant on a tennis necklace. The key is to choose a pendant with a large enough bail to fit over the fastener and the links. Generally, thinner tennis necklaces will work better with pendants than ones that are 5 millimeters or above in thickness. On 1stDibs, explore a wide variety of tennis necklaces and pendants.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023How many carats a tennis necklace is depends on the size and number of diamonds that it features. For example, a tennis necklace with 100, 0.1 carat diamonds would have a total weight of 100 carats, while one with 60, 0.2 carat diamonds would be 120 carats in total. Generally, the longer a tennis necklace is and the larger its gemstones are, the higher the total carat weight will be. Shop a range of tennis necklaces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 21, 2023Diamond tennis necklaces remain popular even as trends change from season to season. This style of accessory is luxurious, nostalgic, wearable everyday and delights the eye with its sparkle. Plus, the tennis chain is versatile. It can coordinate with both casual and dressy attire and be worn alone or layered. Explore a variety of diamond tennis necklaces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Yes, you can generally wear a diamond tennis necklace every day. Due to the small size of the stones, tennis necklaces can complement casual attire as easily as they can dressier ensembles. However, you should remove your necklace before you shower and when you're exercising, playing sports and doing other activities that could damage your jewelry. Find a collection of diamond tennis necklaces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023Yes, men can wear a diamond tennis necklace. Since there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to men's jewelry, you're free to sport anything that you find appealing. Pete Davidson, Drake and Timothée Chalamet are just some of the famous men who have been spotted wearing tennis chains. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of diamond tennis necklaces.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023There is no single best setting for a diamond tennis necklace. You can find tennis chains with both prong and bezel settings, and both types can keep diamonds secure when they are well crafted. The biggest difference is that full bezel settings encircle the gemstones, while prongs hug the stones with three or four metal elements, leaving most of their edges visible. Feel free to choose the type of setting that appeals most to you. On 1stDibs, explore a wide range of diamond tennis necklaces.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The best way to tell if a diamond tennis necklace is real is to hire a licensed appraiser to evaluate it. While you can perform tests like seeing if fog dissipates quickly after breathing on it, it's generally not possible to verify for certain that diamonds are real on your own. You'll find a range of expertly vetted diamond tennis necklaces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023There is no set number of diamonds on a 16-inch tennis necklace. The number of diamonds that make up a tennis chain often depends on the size of the gemstones. Generally, the larger the diamonds are, the fewer there are on a tennis necklace. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of tennis necklaces.
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