Buyer's Guide
The tennis bracelet,
explained.
A continuous line of individually set diamonds, worn around the wrist. No clasp show-off, no chunky links — just light. Here's everything worth knowing before you buy one.
Why “tennis” bracelet?
1987 US Open. Chris Evert's diamond bracelet flew off mid-match. She asked officials to pause play until she found it. The press called it a “tennis bracelet” and the name stuck. Before that, it was just called an eternity bracelet or line bracelet.
01 — Cut
Choose your shape
Round Brilliant
The classic. 57 facets engineered for maximum sparkle. Looks smaller per carat than fancy shapes but delivers the most fire. Our Classic Tennis Bracelet uses these exclusively.
Emerald Cut
Step-cut facets create a hall-of-mirrors effect — less sparkle, more presence. Best for those who prefer architectural, clean geometry over raw fire.
Oval
The visual cheat code. Looks 10–15% larger than a round of the same carat weight due to its elongated shape. Excellent fire with a modern silhouette.
Marquise
Pointed ends, maximum surface area per carat. Creates a flowing, leaf-like pattern when set in a bracelet. Distinctive — you won't see these at every dinner.
02 — Carat Weight
How much diamond?
Total carat weight (TCW) is the sum of all diamonds in the bracelet. A 5ct bracelet might have ~45 round stones at around 0.11ct each. Here's how different weights look on the wrist:
Subtle daily wear. Visible sparkle without shouting. The entry point.
The sweet spot. Noticeable from across a room, comfortable all day. Most popular.
Statement territory. Each stone is larger, gaps disappear, the line of light is unbroken.
Maximum impact. Serious stones, serious presence. Turns heads.
03 — Metal
Pick your metal
White Gold
14K or 18K. Rhodium-plated for a bright, cool white finish that makes diamonds appear larger. Most popular choice. Needs re-plating every 1–2 years.
Yellow Gold
Warm contrast against white diamonds. The classic look — old Hollywood, old money, timeless. No plating needed. Scratches add character.
Rose Gold
Copper alloy gives a warm blush tone. Softer and more romantic than yellow gold. Photographs beautifully. Complements warm skin tones.
04 — Sizing
Get the fit right
Tennis bracelets should sit snugly but not tight. You want it to move freely on your wrist without sliding over your hand.
How to measure
- 1.Wrap a strip of paper or flexible tape around your wrist where you'd wear the bracelet
- 2. Mark where it overlaps and measure the length in inches
- 3. Add 0.5–0.75 inches for comfort
Snug
Standard
Relaxed
Not sure? Our standard 7" fits most wrists. Email hello@zei.boutique for a free sizing guide.
05 — Setting
What holds the stones
4-Prong (Zei default)
Four metal claws grip each stone. Maximum light enters from all angles. Slightly more raised profile. Best for brilliance.
Bezel
A thin metal rim surrounds each diamond completely. Lower profile, extremely secure, slightly less sparkle. Best for active lifestyles.
Shared Prong
Adjacent diamonds share prongs, minimizing visible metal. Creates a near-seamless ribbon of light. The premium option.
Ready to choose?
Every Zei bracelet ships with IGI certification, a lifetime warranty, and 30-day returns. No question asked.
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