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tennis bracelet

What is a river bracelet or what is called a "tennis" bracelet?

The diamond rivière bracelet, also known as a tennis bracelet, is a piece of jewelry consisting of a row of identical diamonds linked together. This is the classic version of the tennis bracelet. However, a rivière bracelet can also feature an assortment of gemstones other than diamonds if you wish to opt for a more original piece. In the rest of this article, we will tell you more about this understated and elegant bracelet.

tennis bracelet

Why is the river bracelet called a tennis bracelet?


One might think that the name "tennis bracelet" is rather surprising for a piece of jewelry made of gold or silver set with precious stones. Diamond rivière bracelet, tennis bracelet, or simply tennis bracelet—all these terms refer to the same piece of jewelry. It is a flexible bracelet completely covered in diamonds. This iconic piece of jewelry was created in the 1900s. At the time, it was called a "line bracelet," although some nicknamed it the "eternity bracelet." As
for the name "tennis bracelet," it was coined in 1987 following a US Open tennis match. During this match, Chris Evert, the famous tennis player, was wearing a rivière bracelet that she lost while playing. She asked the umpire to stop the match so she could find her precious piece of jewelry. The match was suspended, and Chris Evert was able to retrieve her bracelet. It is this little anecdote that gave the rivière bracelet its current name: tennis bracelet.

What is a tennis bracelet?

The rivière bracelet is a piece of jewelry made of flexible gold and adorned with a line of diamonds. Furthermore, you can find various tennis bracelet styles at the same jeweler. You can choose from several colors and designs. You can also find tennis bracelets set with precious stones such as topaz.

The difference lies in the details

When choosing a tennis bracelet, you need to pay attention to the details that can make all the difference. Start by considering the bracelet's shape. You can choose between a flexible bracelet or an adjustable one.
Adjustable models may have an intermediate ring. You should also consider the setting technique used for the diamonds. You can choose from different methods: simple prongs, bezel setting, four-prong setting, etc.

How to choose a river bracelet

To choose a tennis bracelet, you should first consider why you're buying one. Is it a gift? Is it for a special occasion? If you want to treat yourself to a tennis bracelet to wear every day, we advise you to consider your lifestyle to select the ideal tennis bracelet.
For example, if you're very active, it's best to choose a bracelet with a bezel setting, as it will be less likely to snag. You should also make sure the bracelet fits snugly on your wrist so it doesn't fall off or get caught.

red bracelet

What are the different types of river bracelets?

There are different types of tennis bracelets. While no style is better than another, you should choose according to your tastes and preferences. As you can see below, some bracelets have a single row of rows, while others have multiple rows.

Single-row river bracelet

The single-row tennis bracelet is the most popular style. It's the simplest style for a women's bracelet. This timeless piece of jewelry consists of a single row of precious or semi-precious stones. Here, the diamonds can be any shape.

You can choose the carat weight you prefer. This type of bracelet pairs perfectly with a watch and is suitable for both day and night wear. It's a precious piece of jewelry that can be worn every day.

Two-row river bracelet

The double-row rivière bracelet for women offers a more original style. It consists of two rows of diamonds and can be worn for an evening out or a wedding.

Multi-strand river bracelet

This is the most luxurious and expensive model. The multi-row rivière bracelet is a spectacular and exceptional piece, composed of several rows of diamonds for even more sparkle and brilliance. It's a more eye-catching piece of jewelry that can be worn for a special occasion.

Because of the number of diamonds that make up the multi-row tennis bracelet, the price of this piece of jewelry can be very high. However, it is a true investment piece that you can keep forever in your jewelry box, or that you can resell.

How do I adjust a river bracelet?

To prevent your rivière bracelet from falling off or snagging, a few adjustments are necessary. The setting secures the diamonds to the piece, and each type of setting offers a different finish. Therefore, you should choose the setting for your rivière bracelet based on your preferences. You can also find our 2023 catalog on the "Our Magazines" to admire some of our finest creations and find inspiration!

Pin adjustment

Prong setting consists of 3 to 4 prongs that hold the diamonds in place. This type of setting offers the most light and brilliance to the piece of jewelry.

Channel adjustment

The channel setting consists of gemstones held between two rows of metal. This type of setting offers a more modern finish, and the diamonds are closely bonded.

Bezel adjustment

With the bezel or half-bezel setting, the bracelet features diamonds fully or partially encased in metal. Here, the metal surrounds the diamonds to provide a more secure fit. This is perfect for very active women who might be prone to accidents. With this type of setting, the tennis bracelet will be less fragile.

 

The diamond rivière bracelet is an essential and timeless piece of jewelry that will perfectly complement a day or evening outfit. Bollwerk Jewelers offers a fine selection of our most beautiful tennis bracelets; our website features several types of bracelets from various brands such as Messika, Chopard, Fred…

FAQ:

  • Why is it called a tennis bracelet?
    The term tennis bracelet refers to the time when the famous tennis player Chris Evert lost her diamond bracelet during a match at the 1987 US Open.

 

  • What is a diamond rivière?
    A diamond rivière is a precious necklace that consists of several rows of diamonds linked together.

 

  • What is a tennis necklace?
    A tennis necklace is a piece of jewelry set with gemstones individually linked to create a continuous gold chain.

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