Diamond Tennis Bracelets
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Lovely diamond tennis bracelets became popular in the late 1980s when a well-known tennis champ asked officials to stop a match at the 1987 U. S. Open. The young pro was wearing a bracelet of in-line diamonds and the clasp had broken. The televised match resumed after the bracelet was found and countless viewers went out shopping for an inline diamond bracelet to call their own. Without even meaning to, the tennis champ launched a long-lasting fad. The actual origins of this type of jewelry go much further back into the mists of history, though. At one time known as an eternity bracelet, the jewelry was a chain that had the owner's name engraved on it. Though perhaps not as popular as they were in the years following the U. S. Open match, diamond tennis bracelets continue to be a lovely gift both to give and to receive. They can have special significance when given as a tenth anniversary gift, an anniversary often associated with diamonds, because it symbolizes continued love and commitment. On the other hand, a tennis bracelet is also a nice gift when an engagement ring would be signaling too much of a commitment. In the latter instance, for couples who are dating, a diamond tennis bracelet can symbolize a future commitment to the relationship.
Depending on the quality, and authenticity, of the stones and the type of precious metal used in the design, diamond tennis bracelets range in price from tens of dollars to thousands of dollars. For the most part, the diamonds may be of less value individually than stones that would be selected to be mounted in a ring or a pair of earrings. Even so, their value will be based on what the jewelry industry calls the 4 Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. The cut refers to the shape of the stone. Popular cuts include princess, marquis, and emerald. Expert gemologists are especially trained to cut a stone in such a way to enhance its brilliancy and sparkle. The color is graded from D to Z with D representing a valuable colorless stone and the latter end of the alphabet representing less valuable stones that have a yellowish or brownish tint. Clarity is also graded according to the flaws, or inclusions, in the stone. These grades are I (included); SI (slightly included); VS (very slightly included); and VVS (very, very slightly included). There are also numeric designations within those grades, such as I1 and SI2. The carat weight refers to the size of the stone. Shoppers will want to compare several diamond tennis bracelets within their price range to find the one with the best overall combination of cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Additionally, the type of precious metal used in the bracelet will affect its value. Platinum will usually be used with more expensive diamonds, though white and yellow gold are also popular choices.
Of course, not all diamond tennis bracelets are made up solely of diamonds. As the popularity of this fashion accessory increased, so did the gemstones used in the designs. Many women enjoy wearing an in-line bracelet that alternates the diamonds with their birthstone or another favorite gem, such as rubies, emeralds, or sapphires. The birthstone in-line bracelet, with or without alternating diamonds, is a beautiful birthday present. Savvy shoppers who don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on a bracelet can purchase imitation jewelry. These may be made with some type of synthetic, such as cubic zirconium, instead of diamonds and sterling silver instead of gold or platinum. In combination with semi-precious stones or even colored synthetics, these pieces of jewelry are an attractive, and much less expensive, adornment. The prophet Ezekiel recorded that: "The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, . . . Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created" (Ezekiel 28:1, 13). Any or all of these stones would make lovely gemstone and diamond tennis bracelets for someone special or in honor of a special occasion.
When purchasing an in-line bracelet, fashion experts and jewelers recommend that women consider the size of their wrists when choosing a style and the carat size of the diamonds. Large diamond tennis bracelets look best on women with medium-sized or larger wrists. Women with small wrists can wear more delicate styles with diamonds of a lower carat weight. A tennis bracelet is a versatile fashion accessory that can add sparkle to formal attire, especially when accompanied with brilliant earrings. The accessory also adds dazzle to a casual outfit, even jeans and a cute top. In fact, fashion experts say that pairing this beautiful accessory with a sporty look demonstrates confidence and flair. An inline bracelet, especially one made of a precious metal and that includes genuine gems and high quality diamonds, should come with a safety clasp in addition to the standard clasp. This will protect the jewelry from getting lost should the standard clasp break. Reputable jewelers, both at retail locations and at online websites, can provide invaluable information to help customers choose from a variety of diamond tennis bracelets to find just the right design for oneself or as a gift.
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