Complete Guide to Buying a 10 Carat Tennis Bracelet

Why is it called a Tennis Bracelet

The name Tennis Bracelet is widely attributed to the tennis star Chris Evert when her diamond strand bracelet broke during her 1978 U.S. Open appearance. While a line of matching diamonds has been widely referred to as a tennis bracelet since the late 1970s, the bracelet initially became popular during the 1920s. The original tennis bracelet was made from square cut diamonds playing homage to the decorations worn by the military denoting their “tours of duty”. Today, tennis bracelets are widely considered a diamond essential along with diamond stud earrings for daily wear.

What 10 Carat Tennis Bracelet is Best

Once you have decided on a 10 carat tennis bracelet, there are a number of factors to consider. At Sotheby's, our tennis bracelets are set in 18K gold or platinum. Key factors to consider when picking the best 10 carat tennis bracelet are further detailed below:

Diamond Quality

Diamond quality is an important consideration in all diamond jewelry purchases. At Sotheby's our minimum diamond standards for diamond tennis bracelets are SI or better clarity and G-H color or better for white diamonds. Additionally we also sell 10 carat tennis bracelets with VS and VVS and D-E color. We also inspect tennis bracelets for well matched diamonds.

Diamond Shape

The most common diamond shape for tennis bracelets is round brilliant. While a 10 carat tennis bracelet with round diamonds is a classic choice, Sotheby's also sells 10 carat tennis bracelets with fancy diamond shapes. Oval diamonds are a unique choice since the diamonds can be set east-west or upright resulting in very different look. Emerald cut diamonds also offer the opportunity for east-west or traditional setting. Other unique diamond shape options include marquise diamonds, heart shaped diamonds, or mixing different diamond shapes together. A Marquise and heart shaped diamond tennis bracelet will have the added dimension of a slightly different setting than a traditional tennis bracelet. These diamond shapes can add visual appeal if you are layering multiple tennis bracelets or other diamond bracelets together.

More 10 Carat Tennis Bracelet Options

Other options to consider for a 10 carat tennis bracelet is mixing colored gemstones with diamonds or opting for a gemstone only 10 carat tennis bracelet. While the classic tennis bracelet sets the diamonds very closely together with little space between the stones, you can also opt to add visible gold between the diamonds for a unique look. While most buyers want white gold or platinum, rose gold or yellow gold are alternative metal options. When it comes to carat weight, it is also good to be flexible in the exact diamond weight when looking for a tennis bracelet. If you are looking for a dramatic tennis bracelet, 8-12 carats is a great place to start.

Colored Diamond 10 Carat Tennis Bracelet

Colored diamonds are another option for a 10 carat tennis bracelet. Yellow diamonds are the most common when it comes to colored diamond tennis bracelets. At Sotheby's we sell yellow diamond tennis bracelets with the following color ratings: Fancy Yellow, Fancy Intense Yellow and Fancy Vivid. Round brilliant yellow diamond tennis bracelets are the most readily available, but fancy shapes are also increasingly becoming popular. Pink and blue diamond 10 carat tennis bracelets are rare and are often made with a combination of white diamonds. If you are interested in a pink or blue diamond 10 carat tennis bracelet, a salon associate would be happy to assist since we don't always have these listed on our marketplace.

How much is a 10 Carat Tennis Bracelet

The price of a 10 carat tennis bracelet can vary widely depending on the diamond quality, gemstones and if you are looking for colored diamonds. A 10 carat diamond tennis bracelet starts at around $16,000 at Sotheby's for white round brilliant diamonds VS clarity and G-H color grade in 18K gold. Round brilliant diamonds are the most readily available diamond shape. In general tennis bracelets with round diamonds are priced the lowest versus a fancy cut diamond tennis bracelet. A 10 carat tennis bracelet with emerald cut diamonds that are VS clarity and G-H color starts at around $20,000 A Tiffany Tennis Bracelet or Cartier Tennis Bracelet or other top branded tennis bracelet is generally priced higher than a comparable unbranded 10 carat tennis bracelet. A fancy yellow diamond VS clarity 10 carat tennis bracelet will start at around $20,000.

How To Buy A 10 Carat Tennis Bracelet At Sotheby’s

Sotheby's always has impressive diamond bracelets available at auction but simple tennis bracelets are more readily available on marketplace. Sotheby's has a curated selection of 10 carat tennis bracelets and diamond tennis bracelets with 20 plus carats available for immediate purchase on marketplace. Prices for 10 carat tennis bracelets at Sotheby's start at around $15,000. If you would like to view a 10 carat tennis bracelet, a salon specialist would be happy to assist. Sotheby's is also able to source a special 10 carat tennis bracelet including a colored diamond 10 carat tennis bracelet from its global supplier network.

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