What Is a Tennis Necklace? Tennis Jewelry, Decoded

Some pieces of jewelry quietly run the whole show. The tennis necklace is one of them. It is the piece JJ clients come back for, the one that reads at brunch and at dinner, the base that every other piece layers on top of. And yet most people are not sure what it is, or why it shares a name with a sport.

Here is tennis jewelry, decoded.

What is a tennis necklace?

A tennis necklace is a single line of diamonds, set one after another in a flexible row, all the way around. There is no pendant and no center stone. The whole point is the continuous line of light. The same design on the wrist is a tennis bracelet. The craft is in the matching, the spacing, and the setting that lets it move like fabric.

Why is it called a tennis necklace?

The name comes from a real moment. In 1987, a professional tennis player stopped a match because her diamond line bracelet had come loose on the court. Ever since, the diamond line piece has been known as tennis jewelry. So the term has nothing to do with how it looks and everything to do with a famous interruption.

Tennis necklace vs Riviera: what is the difference?

A classic tennis necklace uses diamonds of a single, uniform size. A Riviera necklace, named after the sun-soaked coastline, traditionally features the stones, slightly larger at the center and tapering toward the back. The effect is the same continuous line, with a touch more drama at the front. At JJ, both live in the tennis necklaces collection.

How to wear a tennis necklace

• Solo, on bare skin. It reads polished with a white tee or a slip dress.
• Layered with a charm necklace. Pair the structured line with a personal charm necklace.
• Stacked for summer. Add a fine chain at a different length so the pieces sit without tangling.
• Matched on the wrist. A tennis bracelet echoes the necklace without matching too perfectly.

How to choose one

Look at three things: the total carat weight, the quality of the diamonds, and the setting. A secure setting matters as much as the stones, since this is a piece you will wear constantly. Every JJ tennis piece is GIA expert vetted, with hand-matched diamonds.

FAQ

What is a tennis necklace? A flexible line of evenly set, matched diamonds that runs the full length of the necklace, with no pendant or center stone.

Why is it called a tennis necklace?
From a 1987 match, a diamond line bracelet was paused to recover.

What is the difference between a tennis necklace and a riviera?
A tennis necklace uses uniform diamonds; a Riviera graduates them, larger at the center.

Can you wear a tennis necklace every day?
Yes, it is one of the most versatile pieces in fine jewelry.