Chris Evert will go down in history for her dominance of the sport, most notably her 18 Grand Slam singles titles. But an accident she suffered more than two decades ago has left another legacy as well, and you may be wearing that legacy on your wrist. (Or, you might be hoping to after your next wedding anniversary!)
Diamond Bracelets
Evert was wearing an inline diamond bracelet during the 1987 U.S. Open. Or at least she was until the bracelet broke, delaying the match until Evert could locate the missing diamonds. The “tennis bracelet incident” gave the jewelry its snappier name.
More notably, the incident also gave the bracelet the popularity boost it had been looking for. Today many tennis stars wear the tennis bracelet, albeit with a more secure clasp than the one that Evert was wearing. But the fashion statement now extends far beyond the court, to the point where many wearers have no idea where the term originated.
Finding the Right Tennis Bracelet
Finding the right tennis bracelet can be a challenge, however. Wear it too tightly, and the bracelet rubs against the skin. Furthermore, a bracelet that’s too tight can stretch out and break like Evert’s did. But wear it too loosely, and the bracelet can catch on something or else fall off entirely. The ideal tennis bracelet should be loose enough that you can fit your finger in between the arm and the bracelet.
Remember, this isn’t supposed to fit like a normal bracelet. And its thin form means that finding an improper fit can lead to disaster. Most bracelets are bought to mark special occasions. But their elegant design might be better suited for formal occasions rather than day-to-day situations.
The normal tennis bracelet has but a pattern of stones fitted into it. Tennis bracelets seldom have pendants like charm bracelets do. Like any other form of jewelry, their value varies quite dramatically, depending on what designer has created it. Clearly, there’s a difference between Evert’s diamond bracelet and the bargain cubic zirconia version.
Make sure that you find a bracelet with a secure safety latch, clearly the most dramatic improvement in the jewelry. That latch can get worn and used over time; so many jewelers make a specialty of fixing it. However, newer bracelets come with a safety strap that holds the bracelet together in case the latch does fail.
