A tennis necklace is a chain set with a continuous line of stones - usually cubic zirconia - that circles the neck in one even sparkle, from chokers to long layers.
The tennis necklace has become a must-have accessory, and its popularity shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, tennis necklaces have seen a rise in popularity in recent years, with one British jewelry brand reporting a 117% increase in sales during the last Christmas season, reflecting their growing appeal in the world of fashion. Whether you're looking to add a touch of sparkle to your everyday wardrobe or elevate your evening look, the tennis necklace's timeless elegance and versatility make it the perfect choice. In this guide, we’ll explore the many ways you can style this iconic jewelry piece, making it a staple in your collection for years to come.
What is a Tennis Necklace?
A tennis necklace is a piece of jewelry characterized by a continuous line of diamonds or gemstones set in a sleek, flexible design. Known for its uniform sparkle, it’s the epitome of understated luxury, making it perfect for both everyday wear and special occasions.
Why Is It Called a Tennis Necklace?
The term "tennis necklace" comes from tennis legend Chris Evert. During the 1987 U.S. Open, her diamond bracelet fell off mid-match, leading to a pause as she searched for it. The incident popularized the name “tennis bracelet,” and its necklace counterpart naturally adopted the same moniker.
Why Is the Tennis Necklace So Popular?
The tennis necklace has gained immense popularity in recent years, and for good reason. Its versatility, elegance, and cultural relevance make it a standout accessory for all occasions. Let’s break down the reasons behind its widespread appeal.
Timeless Elegance
The tennis necklace features a classic design that transcends trends. The continuous line of diamonds or gemstones creates a minimalist yet luxurious aesthetic, ensuring it never goes out of style. This timelessness makes it a worthwhile investment for jewelry enthusiasts.
Versatility for Every Occasion
One of the key reasons for its popularity is its adaptability. A tennis necklace can be styled with:
- Casual Looks: Add effortless sparkle to everyday outfits like jeans and T-shirts.
- Workwear: Enhance professional attire with subtle sophistication.
- Evening Glam: Perfectly complements cocktail dresses, gowns, or formal wear.
Its ability to transition seamlessly from day to night makes it a staple for modern wardrobes.
Celebrity Endorsement
Tennis necklaces have become a red-carpet favorite, frequently spotted on celebrities such as Rihanna, Hailey Bieber, and Zendaya. High-profile appearances amplify their appeal, turning them into aspirational pieces for fans and fashion lovers.
A Symbol of Luxury
The tennis necklace is often associated with wealth and success due to its use of high-quality gemstones and precious metals. Wearing one instantly elevates any outfit, giving the wearer an air of sophistication and prestige.
Modern Customization
Many jewelers now offer customizable tennis necklaces, allowing buyers to choose gemstone colors, sizes, and metal types. This personalization ensures that the necklace reflects individual style, further boosting its appeal.
By combining timeless design, celebrity influence, and everyday practicality, the tennis necklace has secured its spot as one of the most sought-after jewelry pieces in contemporary fashion.
How to Layer a Tennis Necklace
Layering a tennis necklace can take your outfit to the next level by adding depth, dimension, and personality. The key to successful layering is balancing the pieces to create a cohesive and stylish look. Here are some creative ways to layer your tennis necklace for maximum impact.
Pairing with Chokers for a Trendy, Stacked Vibe
Chokers are a fantastic piece to pair with a tennis necklace, especially for a bold, stacked look. The close fit of a choker draws attention to the neckline, while the tennis necklace adds a touch of sparkle. When pairing the two:
- Choose a simple, minimalist choker to allow the tennis necklace to be the focal point.
- Opt for a choker with subtle details, such as pearls or gemstones, for added contrast without overpowering the elegance of the tennis necklace.
This layered look works well with casual outfits, like a sweater and jeans, or even more edgy looks, like a leather jacket.
Adding Long Pendants to Create Contrast
Long pendant necklaces offer an intriguing contrast to the delicate, continuous design of a tennis necklace. The elongated pendant draws the eye downward, creating a sense of elongation, while the tennis necklace remains at the collarbone. When layering:
- Choose pendants with a contrasting material or shape—such as a sleek gold pendant or a gemstone drop.
- Make sure the pendant is of a longer length, so it hangs below the tennis necklace for visual contrast.
This combination is perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to evening wear or creating a stylish contrast with more casual attire.
Layering Multiple Tennis Necklaces for a Luxurious Effect
For a truly glamorous look, layer multiple tennis necklaces in varying lengths. This layered effect creates a sense of luxury, as the necklaces frame the neck in a beautiful cascade of sparkle. Tips for perfecting this style:
- Vary the Lengths: Start with a shorter tennis necklace close to the neck, and add longer ones below it for a tiered effect.
- Keep the Design Uniform: To maintain a harmonious look, choose tennis necklaces with similar gemstone sizes and metals.
- Mix with Other Textures: Add variety by mixing a diamond tennis necklace with one featuring colored gemstones or a different metal finish.
This layered look is ideal for special occasions, such as weddings, galas, or other formal events, where you want to make a dramatic statement.
Combining with Other Jewelry for an Eclectic Style
Layering a tennis necklace with other jewelry pieces—such as bracelets, rings, or earrings—can elevate the overall look while allowing you to express your unique style. Consider:
- Bracelets: Pair your tennis necklace with a matching tennis bracelet or mix with bangles for a cohesive yet layered effect.
- Rings: Stack rings on your fingers that complement the necklace, choosing gemstones or metallic tones that match.
- Earrings: Add stud earrings or dangling hoops for added sparkle that doesn’t compete with the necklace.
By mixing different pieces in your jewelry collection, you create a personalized and stylish appearance.
Balancing the Look for Cohesion
While layering adds visual interest, it’s important to keep the overall look balanced. Avoid overcrowding the neck area by ensuring that each piece complements rather than competes with the tennis necklace. Key tips for balance:
- Avoid Too Much Sparkle: If you’re layering multiple shiny pieces, ensure that the tennis necklace remains the focal point.
- Limit Layering on Busy Days: If you’re dressing casually or for the office, keep layering to a minimum to maintain a refined, elegant look.
- Mix Light and Heavy Pieces: Combine the delicate nature of the tennis necklace with other jewelry that has more weight or structure, like chunky bracelets or bold rings, for contrast.
When layered correctly, a tennis necklace can become a versatile, standout piece that enhances any outfit. Whether you're going for a trendy vibe or a luxurious, layered effect, the tennis necklace remains the perfect accessory for any look.
How to Style a Tennis Necklace
The beauty of the tennis necklace lies in its ability to enhance a variety of looks, from casual to formal, making it a versatile accessory for any occasion. Whether you’re dressing up for an evening event or adding a touch of elegance to your everyday wardrobe, the tennis necklace can elevate your outfit effortlessly. Here are some creative ways to style your tennis necklace for different settings:
Casual Outfits: Adding Glam to Everyday Wear
A tennis necklace can transform even the simplest outfits into something more sophisticated. Pair it with everyday clothing to elevate your casual look. Consider the following combinations:
- With a Simple T-Shirt: Pair your tennis necklace with a classic white tee or graphic T-shirt. The contrast between the simplicity of the shirt and the brilliance of the necklace creates a stylish yet laid-back vibe.
- With a Sweater: A tennis necklace adds a touch of luxury to cozy sweaters or knit tops. Whether it’s a crewneck, turtleneck, or v-neck sweater, the necklace draws attention to your face and collarbone, making the outfit look polished without being overly formal.
- With Denim: Add a tennis necklace to your go-to denim jacket or jeans. It’s a simple way to inject some glamour into a casual look while keeping it relaxed. Pair it with casual footwear like sneakers or ankle boots to maintain a balanced look.
By wearing it with casual pieces, you can bring understated glamour to your everyday wardrobe without overdoing it.
Workwear: Polished and Professional
A tennis necklace can be a perfect accessory for work, helping to maintain a professional yet stylish appearance. Here are some ideas for styling it in the office:
- With a Crisp Blazer: Layer your tennis necklace under the collar of a sharp blazer for a sophisticated and polished appearance. It’s a subtle yet impactful way to elevate a business outfit, making it ideal for meetings or presentations.
- With Button-Down Shirts: A tennis necklace adds a refined touch to classic office wear like button-down shirts. Tuck the shirt into tailored pants or skirts and let the necklace peek out just above the collar, creating a sophisticated and elegant look.
- With Dresses: A tennis necklace pairs beautifully with professional dresses, particularly those with simple, clean lines. It brings just the right amount of shine to complement the sleek design of your outfit without overwhelming it.
When styled for work, a tennis necklace can help elevate your professional look, adding just the right amount of glam while keeping it appropriate for the office.
Evening Wear: Let the Tennis Necklace Shine
A tennis necklace truly shines when styled with evening wear. Its elegance makes it the perfect accessory for formal events, weddings, and date nights. Here are some ways to make the tennis necklace the star of your outfit:
- With a Little Black Dress: A little black dress (LBD) is a classic pairing for a tennis necklace. The simplicity of the dress allows the necklace to shine, creating a balanced, timeless look. Whether the necklace is diamond or gemstone, it’ll add that perfect amount of sparkle to your evening outfit.
- With a Plunging Neckline: A tennis necklace beautifully complements dresses with plunging necklines by drawing attention to the collarbone and chest area. The necklace enhances the elegance of the dress while maintaining a sense of refined luxury.
- With Strapless Gowns: For formal events like galas or weddings, pair your tennis necklace with a strapless gown. The smooth neckline of the gown allows the necklace to sit gracefully around your neck, creating a stunning focal point without competing with the rest of your outfit.
Evening wear offers the perfect canvas for your tennis necklace, allowing it to serve as the crowning jewel in your ensemble. Whether it’s a cocktail party or a black-tie event, the tennis necklace will undoubtedly elevate your evening style.
Shop the full range in our tennis necklace collection - waterproof 18K gold, made for daily wear.
Diamond tennis necklaces and CZ tennis necklaces: the honest difference
Most people arrive at this page having searched for a diamond tennis necklace and then discovered that the same look comes in several materials at wildly different prices. It is worth being direct about which one you are buying.
A cubic zirconia tennis necklace is a manufactured stone set into a metal line. It gives you the continuous flash of white that defines the style, it gives it to you in daylight better than a diamond does, and it costs a fraction of the price — which means you can own a choker and an 18-inch in the same month instead of choosing one and insuring it. What it does not have is resale value, and the stone is softer, so it will not look untouched after thirty years of daily wear.
A lab diamond tennis necklace is a real diamond, chemically identical to a mined one, grown in a reactor. It behaves like a diamond in every way that matters and typically costs 20 to 40 per cent less than the mined equivalent. If the piece is an anniversary or an heirloom, this is usually the sensible answer.
A natural diamond tennis necklace is the benchmark everything is compared to, and it is priced accordingly. A full line of mined stones large enough to read across a room starts in the low thousands and goes up from there.
The version worth carrying away: at arm’s length, in ordinary light, most people cannot tell a well-set cubic zirconia tennis necklace from a diamond one, because the effect of the style is the unbroken line of light rather than the stone itself. That is why tennis jewellery is one of the few places where buying the simulant is a design decision rather than a compromise. You can see the whole range in waterproof 18K gold in our tennis necklace collection, and the matching line for the wrist in the tennis bracelets.
Different Materials for a Tennis Necklace
Tennis necklaces come in a variety of materials, making them suitable for different tastes and budgets:
- Diamonds: The classic choice for unparalleled brilliance.
- Cubic Zirconia: A budget-friendly alternative that still sparkles.
- Colored Gemstones: Add a pop of personality with sapphires, rubies, or emeralds.
- Metal Options: Choose from gold, platinum, or silver to complement your style.
How much is a tennis necklace?
The honest answer is that the price is set by the metal and the stone count, not by the style. Here is what each tier actually buys.
| Type | Typical price | What you are paying for |
|---|---|---|
| Cubic zirconia in 18K gold-plated stainless steel | Roughly $30 to $80 | The metal and the setting. Durable enough to wear in water, never needs replating within normal wear, and the whole point is that you can own more than one. |
| Cubic zirconia or moissanite in solid gold | Roughly $200 to $700 | Real gold by weight, with the same simulated stone. You are buying metal value, not stone value. |
| Lab diamond in solid gold | Roughly $800 to $3,000 | Real diamonds at a discount to mined. The stone holds its polish and the piece can be appraised. |
| Natural diamond in solid gold | Roughly $2,000 and up | The stone itself. At this level the setting is almost incidental to the price. |
Three things move the number inside a tier. Total carat weight — a 2 mm line and a 5 mm line use the same labour and very different stone budgets. Metal — solid gold is priced by weight, so a heavier chain costs more for the identical look. And the clasp and the finish — a proper box clasp with a safety catch costs more than a spring ring and is the difference between a necklace you keep and one you lose.
Which is why the sensible question is not “how much is a tennis necklace” but “how many hours a week will I wear it”. If the answer is most of them, stainless steel with cubic zirconia is not the budget option — it is the correct one, because it is the only tier you can wear into a swimming pool without thinking about it.
How to Open a Tennis Necklace
Opening a tennis necklace typically involves a secure clasp, such as a box clasp or a lobster clasp. To open it:
- Locate the clasp, often near the back of the necklace.
- If it’s a box clasp, gently press the release mechanism.
- For a lobster clasp, pinch the lever to open.
Always handle your necklace with care to avoid damaging the delicate links.
How to Clean and Store a Tennis Necklace
To maintain its sparkle, clean your tennis necklace regularly:
- Cleaning: Use a soft brush, mild soap, and lukewarm water to gently remove dirt. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.
- Storage: Store it in a soft pouch or lined jewelry box to prevent scratches and tangles.
What length tennis necklace should I buy?
A tennis necklace has no pendant to pull the eye down, so length does more work here than it does on any other necklace. These are the five that matter.
| Length | Where it sits | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| 14 to 15 inches | At the base of the throat | The tennis choker. Modern, deliberate, and the most photographed version of the style. Best with collarbones showing and no other necklace. |
| 16 inches | Just above the collarbone | The classic. Sits inside a crew neck and reads as fine jewellery rather than as fashion. |
| 18 inches | On the collarbone | The most useful length you can own. Works with a t-shirt, a shirt worn open, and almost every neckline in between. |
| 20 inches | Just below the collarbone | The layering length. Long enough to sit under a shorter chain without tangling. |
| 24 inches and over | On the chest | A deliberate statement, or the base layer in a three-chain stack. |
Two practical notes. Tennis necklaces are heavy for their size because the whole line is metal and stone, so a very long one will pull forward unless the chain is finished properly — that is why the style lives at choker and collarbone lengths. And check for an extender: two inches of adjustment is what lets the same necklace sit at the base of the throat on one person and on the collarbone on another.
Tennis Necklace: A Perfect Gift for Your Loved Ones
A tennis necklace is a thoughtful and timeless gift. Its classic design makes it suitable for milestones like anniversaries, birthdays, or weddings. Whether it’s diamonds or a more personalized gemstone option, it’s a luxurious way to show your love.
Prefer the same clean sparkle on your wrist? The Tennis Player Bracelet is our waterproof take on the tennis trend — designed to be worn 24/7 without tarnish.
Shop the tennis necklace collection — every piece is waterproof, sweatproof and tarnish-free 18K gold, made for everyday wear.
Tennis necklace FAQ
Is a tennis necklace worth it?
Yes, as a look, and the style is one of the few where a simulated stone makes no visual difference. What it is not worth is paying solid-gold money for a stone with no resale value — if you want metal value, buy metal; if you want the look, buy cubic zirconia in waterproof stainless steel and spend the difference on the second necklace.
Are tennis necklaces waterproof?
Ours are. Every piece in the tennis necklace collection is 18K gold-plated 316L stainless steel with cubic zirconia, which means no green skin, no tarnish, and no reason to take it off before you shower or swim. This is the main difference between a tennis necklace that lasts a year and one that lasts.
What length tennis necklace should I get?
18 inches if you are buying one. 14 to 15 inches if you want the choker version the style is known for, and 20 inches if you plan to layer it under something shorter.
Can you wear a tennis necklace every day?
Yes, and it is one of the easiest pieces to wear daily, because there is no pendant to catch and nothing to snag. The only thing to avoid is abrasive contact — take it off for the gym and for cleaning chemicals, and wipe it with a soft cloth rather than a polishing compound.
Do CZ tennis necklaces look like diamonds?
At arm’s length, in ordinary light, most people cannot tell the difference — and in daylight the cubic zirconia version actually throws more fire than the diamond. Under a loupe, or held next to a certified stone, the difference is obvious. It is worth knowing both things.
How much does a tennis necklace cost?
Between roughly $30 and $80 for cubic zirconia in 18K gold-plated stainless steel, which is the tier built to be worn in water. Solid gold with a CZ or moissanite line starts around $200, lab diamond starts around $800, and natural diamond starts around $2,000. The price section above breaks down what each tier buys.
If you like the line but not the length, the same unbroken row of stones is the whole point of a tennis ring — a full-circle band with no high stone to catch on anything, which is why it stacks better than almost any other ring you own.
Conclusion: Tennis Necklace – The Glam Trend You Need Now
The tennis necklace is more than a piece of jewelry; it’s a statement of elegance and style. Whether you’re adding one to your collection or gifting it to someone special, its timeless allure ensures it will never go out of fashion.
Ready to elevate your style? Check out our stunning tennis necklace and get a glow-up for yourself now!
Tennis necklace or tennis chain — is there a difference?
Not in the stones, only in how the piece is built and where you wear it. A tennis necklace is the continuous line sized for the throat; a tennis chain is the same construction made to be worn as a bracelet, a choker or a full-circle ring as well. If you have not decided between the shapes yet, our tennis jewelry collection holds all of them together.
Gold & Color Tennis Necklace Styles
Tennis necklaces come in every length and finish, and the styling changes with the drop. A choker-length tennis chain (14-16 inches) sits high and reads modern; a classic tennis necklace (16-18 inches) lands at the collarbone and works with everything; a layered tennis set combines a tennis chain with a pendant chain for the fullest look.
The Eternal Brilliance Tennis Dainty Choker Necklace is the everyday choker pick, and the Starry Y-Shape Pendant Tennis Layered Set layers the sparkle for evenings. Shop the full range in our tennis necklace collection.
What length tennis necklace should I get?
Choker-length (14-16 inches) for a modern look, 16-18 inches for the classic collarbone fit, or a layered set for the fullest style.
Can you wear a tennis necklace every day?
Yes - waterproof 18K gold tennis necklaces are made for daily wear and never tarnish or fade.
Is a tennis necklace worth it?
Yes - it's the most-worn statement piece in jewelry. Our CZ versions give the continuous-sparkle look at a fraction of diamond prices.
Love the tennis look? Match your wrist with our tennis bracelet collection.
