New York—Whether a fine jewelry connoisseur considers themselves a minimalist or a magpie who layers everything and then a magpie, chances are they already own or covet the perfect diamond tennis necklace.
Although it never goes out of style, it has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years.
While in the past a river of diamonds might be kept in a safe and brought out for special occasions, today’s tennis necklace has a more casual look and is suitable for everyday wear.
In an era where consumers buy fine jewelry for themselves and enjoy their purchases as everyday accessories, tennis necklaces adorned with small diamonds have proliferated. They are more appropriate for daytime than a solid diamond centerpiece and are easy to layer with other necklaces.
This makes the diamond tennis necklace a wardrobe staple, as reliable as a favorite pair of jeans, which, coincidentally, pairs just as well with a diamond line necklace as it does with a formal dress or suit .
From a design perspective, a tennis necklace doesn’t offer much individuality. However, jewelry designers have put their own spin on the style.
Although these are not classic tennis necklaces, brands have capitalized on the popularity of this style with their own gold and diamond chains measuring between 15 and 18 inches that convey their signature style.
Their designs are just as versatile as a river with just as much layering potential, but are arguably more interesting to look at.
Azlee “Scattered Gold Bar and Diamond Tennis Necklace” in 18k yellow gold with 2.2 carats of round brilliant-cut and baguette-cut diamonds ($24,900)
Sorellina “L’Imperatice” necklace in 18k yellow gold with 4.02 carats of diamonds, measuring 16 inches ($26,000)
Harwell Godfrey “Diamond Tennis Necklace” in 18k yellow gold with 13.10 carats of diamonds measuring 18 inches ($74,000)
Susana Martins “Unstoppable Choker” in 18k white gold with 1.68 carats of diamonds ($10,318)
Ara Vartanian “Link Necklace” in 18k gold with 1.41 carats of modified round brilliant-cut white diamonds, 0.29 carats of reverse round brilliant-cut black diamonds and a 0.92 carat briolette diamond on the clasp ($21,490 )
Yvonne Leon “Rivière” Necklace in 18k White and Yellow Gold with 2.17 Carats of Diamonds ($12,394)
Boochier 18k recycled yellow gold “Slinkee” necklace with 3.6 carats of diamonds measuring 16 inches
Jade Trau “Pia Necklace” in 18k white gold with brushed finish and 1.52 carats of diamonds measuring 18 inches ($11,500)
Ondyn 15-inch “Grand Rainsun Tennis Necklace” in 18k yellow gold with 7.15 total carats of diamonds ($33,500)
Eriness “Baguette Flat Link Necklace” in 14k yellow gold with 4.70 carats of diamonds measuring 16 inches ($30,100)
Foundrae “Oversized Pave Mixed Clip Chain” in 18k gold with 6.54 carats of diamonds measuring 18 inches that can be converted to 16 inches ($52,585)
Sydney Evan “Evil Eye Eternity Necklace” in 14k gold with 3.30 carats of diamonds ($11,000)
Jacquie Aiche “Sofia” Necklace in 14k Yellow Gold with Round Brilliant and Pear Cut Diamonds ($21,250)
Suzanne Kalan “Golden Midi Stacker Tennis Necklace” in 18k yellow gold with 10.92 carats of baguette-cut diamonds measuring 17 inches ($76,000)
Lauren Rubinski 16-inch 14k Yellow Gold “Little Link Necklace” with 0.56 Carats of Diamonds ($13,570)
Melissa Kaye “Audrey” necklace measuring 15 inches in 18k yellow gold with 7.44 carats of diamonds ($65,450)
Lizzie Mandler “Tennis XS Link and Eclat Necklace” in 18k Yellow Gold with 2.53 Carats of Diamonds ($13,860)
Ara Vartanian’s almost utilitarian gold and diamond links, with some signature inverted black diamonds, offer a unisex alternative to a diamond line necklace, while Jacquie Aiche’s dangling diamonds offer the ultimate movement and romantic style of the brand.
One of Sydney Evan’s final tennis necklace-adjacent pieces features her beloved evil eye as chain links, while Lauren Rubinski’s version is all about bold gold, with a few diamond-paved links.
A descendant of generations of diamond merchants, Jade Trau creator Jade Lustig has always been drawn to stone rather than colored gemstones. Her everyday diamond and gold necklaces are all about the interaction between stone and metal.
“The Pia necklace is definitely a brand favorite and I think it’s because it hits the perfect balance between the chain and diamond ratio,” she explained of the style.
“It’s just enough diamonds to look like a diamond necklace and yet enough classic chain to have that heavy gold chain feel. It also has a totally standalone appeal, but also layers perfectly with other necklaces.
The “Kin Necklace” by Vice Versa Jewelry, Sophie Thoerner and Hannah Traulsen, put the emerging brand on the map. Dangling diamonds are interspersed between the links of a simple ball chain.
Like many good ideas, the design concept was the answer to a problem Thoerner and Traulsen encountered with classic diamond necklaces.
“We love the casual, everyday look of a diamond tennis necklace, but we found that traditional tennis necklaces always turned inside out so the diamonds weren’t visible,” they said.
“We created the Kin collar as a sophisticated alternative that still sits on your neck. The graduated wave of diamonds adds movement and makes the diamonds appear to be almost floating. A little sexy and totally cool, it’s our take on classic style.
A well-designed tennis necklace alternative often shows a designer company in its visual identity.
Azlee’s sleek geometric aesthetic is perfectly expressed in the company’s ‘Gold Bar and Scattered Diamond Tennis Necklace,’ while Boochier’s playful philosophy is on full display in her gold and diamond necklace featuring her design “Slinkee.”
Scroll through the gallery to see 17 designers’ takes on a versatile gold and diamond necklace for everyday wear.
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