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It's the classic bracelet's cooler, more contemporary younger sister Gold Plated Fashion Jewelry
Few pieces of jewellery make quite as strong a statement as the tennis bracelet. That single row of diamonds glistening away on someone's wrist not only oozes timeless elegance, but also acts as the ultimate status symbol thanks to one incredibly hefty price tag – it is a string of multiple, identical, ultra-precious stones after all. As such, this classic piece of jewellery has largely been reserved for old-world ladies of leisure, glitzy country-club mums and dynastic trust-fund babies.
Not so, however, in the case of the tennis necklace: the bracelet's cooler and far more desirable younger sister. It has modern-day star power without the fusty undertones, and we've seen it gracing the necks of everyone from Zendaya to Emily Ratajkowski, Hailey Bieber, Zoe Kravitz and Nicola Peltz-Beckham.
Atop a sleek, all-black evening look or worn casually in the day, the tennis necklace's vibe is less 'look at my eff-off diamonds' and more 'sparkles subtly poking out of my plain white tee'. Despite sometimes costing tens (or hundreds) of thousands, it's all about effortless cool – and today's technological advances mean that even if the diamonds aren't the real deal, you can barely tell the difference. Brands such as Crystal Haze and Heavenly London offering particularly good-looking options, while those splashing out on the real deal (and if you can, we don't blame you) should look to Shay and Vrai.
From the classic to the playful, plain to colourful, affordable to the over-£60k, these are the best tennis necklaces you should buy now – and wear forever.
Swarovski pioneered the use of cubic zirconia, so we expect this rhodium-plated necklace to shimmer just like the real thing.
Alternating large and small stones bring a chic point of difference to Crystal Haze's 18kt gold-plated necklace.
Fusing classic design with traditional craftsmanship, Daphine's gold-plated pieces are made to last. This simple yet striking tennis necklace features bezel-set cubic zirconia stones for a smooth and seamless finish.
For something a little different, consider coloured stones. This choker-style tennis necklace, designed in collaboration with influencer Flavia Stuttgen, features heart-shaped cubic zirconia stones in a sunny yellow-sapphire hue.
Exclusive to Matches, this modern twist on the traditional style features claw-set cubic zirconias in gradient sizes, meaning it sits seamlessly around your neck (and looks way more expensive than it really is).
The deep-blue lolite stones in Monica Vinader's tennis necklace make a chic alternative to sparkling diamonds. The design is plated via the hardwearing vermeil technique using 18kt yellow-gold.
With crystal-clear stones set into gold-plated metal, this tennis necklace design is a forever classic. Note the adjustable clasp, too (not many tennis designs have this).
Australian brand Cendré fuses on-point design with price points that bridge the gap between high street and high luxury. This weighty tennis necklace is plated in 18kt gold and punctuated with a logo-stamped gold bar, front and centre.
Amina Muaddi's signature Italian exuberance is applied to the tennis necklace this season. We're in love with this bold green iteration: imagine it over a simple white T-shirt.
We're obsessed with Eéra's signature clasp-fastening earrings – which are inspired by utilitarian carabiner clips – so imagine our delight at discovering the brand has ventured into tennis necklaces now too.
A modern twist on a classic, Kenneth Jay Lane's tennis necklace alternates baguette and round-cut cubic zirconia stones, all set into 18kt gold-plated metal.
Designed in London and made in Italy, Hatton Labs is the jewellery brand breathing new edge into sparkling stones. The Daisy necklace features intricate white and yellow cubic zirconias set into sterling silver. It's hefty, glittering, and sure to make an impact.
Astrid & Miyu is our favourite name for huggie hoops and cartilage earrings –and now, we're adding this glinting necklace to our wish-list. It's more slender than most, so makes a great option for every day, and also comes in rose gold.
If you're going to invest, you may as well go all out on this show-stopper from LA-based mother-and-daughter design team, Shay. The yellow-gold chain is studded with round-cut diamonds totalling 19.9ct. Note the gradient sizing, which ensures the weighty piece sits seamlessly around your neck.
The secure bezel-set diamonds in Mejuri's necklace make a more subtle statement.
Why settle for a single strand of diamonds when you can have two? Well, the sky-high price might be one reason. But if it's not, opt for this stunning piece which features both round and emerald-cut diamonds.
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