Collections

Playing Doubles: Monica Rich Kosann, Chris Evert Team Up on Tennis Bracelets

CollectionsAug 17, 2022

Playing Doubles: Monica Rich Kosann, Chris Evert Team Up on Tennis Bracelets

It is the first tennis bracelet collab for the legend, whose lost-and-found moment put the term “tennis bracelet” in the jewelry lexicon.

20220817_MRK Chris Evert tennis bracelet group.jpg
Three of the 13 styles in Monica Rich Kosann’s new tennis bracelet collection, “The Tennis Bracelet-CE.” From top, a bezel-set diamond tennis bracelet in yellow gold with 0.03-carat emerald (starting at $11,350), a bezel-set style in white gold with a 0.56-carat emerald (starting at $12,485), and the collection’s pinnacle piece, a tennis bracelet featuring fancy-cut diamonds and a 0.28-carat emerald (staring at $31,750). (Photo courtesy of Monica Rich Kosann)
New York—The tennis bracelet is enjoying a massive revival, and Monica Rich Kosann is joining in with what is perhaps the best collaboration possible for the category.
 
The New York based-brand announced it has teamed with Chris Evert, the sports legend whose lost-and-found moment on the court birthed the “tennis bracelet,” on a collection called “The Tennis Bracelet-CE. Born 1978. Finally Authentic.”
 
Launched Wednesday, the collection ranges in price from $725 to $36,700 retail and will be sold online as well as in Monica Rich Kosann’s two stores in New York City, at Columbus Circle and Hudson Yards. 

As The Adventurine noted in one of its articles on jewelry history, there has been some confusion regarding the genesis of the tennis bracelet over the years. 
 
The real story dates back to an early round of the 1978 U.S. Open in which Evert, then 23, was wearing a diamond line bracelet she had bought for herself. 
 
“When I competed, I wanted to wear something that gave me confidence and empowered me, both as a woman and an athlete. As you can see in photos from that period, I wore it often,” Evert told National Jeweler via email. 

“My tennis bracelet added a personal element to my style on the court and served as a daily reminder that I can do and be anything.” 
 
The line bracelet the tennis legend self-purchased flew off during play and the match was halted until she located it. In that moment, the tennis bracelet was born. 
 
Evert has endorsed tennis bracelets before, backing a brand for about a year in the early 1980s, but the relationship wasn’t a collaboration in any sense.

For the Monica Rich Kosann collection, the brand said Evert’s team approached them. 
 
Evert knew and liked Kosann’s jewelry and was looking for an American designer to help her realize her longtime dream of collaborating on a line of tennis bracelets.   
 
Evert “worked with us every step of the way throughout the design and branding process. She shared with us the things she remembered about that day: the green court, the white lines, and the dripping beads of sweat,” the company said. (At that time, the USTA National Tennis Center’s courts were green, unlike today’s signature blue courts.) 
 
Kosann, who is known for her subtle, elegant, and updated takes on classics like the locket, incorporated nods to those elements into the design of 13 tennis bracelets. 
 
See 5 of the Styles in the “The Tennis Bracelet-CE” Collection
 
Emerald and tsavorite represent the green court, while pear-shaped diamond and sapphire drops represent the beads of sweat.
 
And the design of the bracelet itself—a line of white, natural diamonds or sapphires—mimics the fresh lines on the tennis court on that day in 1978. 
 
Kosann’s daughter, Danielle Kosann, the company’s artistic director, conceptualized and shot the marketing campaign for the collection, which centers on ‘70s and ‘80s tennis fashions—think a lot of white—and even includes rackets and sneakers Evert wore during her career. 
 
“As a brand known for reinventing iconic jewelry ideas such as lockets, charms, and poesy rings, we are excited to partner with Chrissie to share our design perspective on the tennis bracelet,” Kosann said. 
 
“While there have been many fine jewelry tennis bracelets offered for decades, we are proud to be a part of the Tennis Bracelet – CE, that is ‘Finally Authentic.’”

20220817_MRK Chris Evert tennis bracelet campaign.jpg
An image for the 1970s and ‘80s-inspired campaign Danielle Kosann shot for Monica Rich Kosann’s tennis bracelet collaboration with Chris Evert (Photo courtesy of Monica Rich Kosann)

The Tennis Bracelet-CE collection has two tiers. 
 
 There are five sterling silver bracelets with white sapphires or rock crystals ranging in price from $725 to $2,715, and eight 18-karat yellow or white gold bracelets set with diamonds. The gold and diamond versions range in price from $5,915 to $36,700. 
 
Each bracelet has a “CE” marking along with the “MRK” stamp and a certificate of authenticity. The most luxe style in the collection—a bracelet set with more than 4 carats of round-, baguette-, trillion-, oval-, princess- and pear-cut diamonds—comes with a letter about the collection personally signed by Evert and Kosann. 
 
 Related stories will be right here … 

The Latest

Mike Alexander
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President

The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.

 Gemfields rough rubies
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1

The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.

Signet Jewelers logo
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet Jewelers

The addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Stock image of a polished diamonds being held by tweezers
SourcingJul 31, 2025
De Beers Records $189M First-Half Loss

The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.

Weekly QuizJul 31, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Lindsey Scoggins Studio convertible flower earrings
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award Winners

Jewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.

Matthew Tratner, new president of Continental Buying Group
IndependentsJul 31, 2025
Matthew Tratner Takes Over as CBG President

Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Stock image of rough diamonds from the Kimberley mine
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says

The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.

Pomellato Mini London blue topaz and diamond bracelet
FinancialsJul 30, 2025
Kering's Jewelry Brands Resilient As H1 Sales Slide 16%

The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.

Zadok Rolex Austin
WatchesJul 30, 2025
Peek Inside Zadok Jewelers’ New Rolex Showroom in Austin

Its opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.

Crowd of people in a shopping mall
SurveysJul 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in July

Respondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”

Making a Killing in Diamonds by Rob Bates
SourcingJul 30, 2025
Rob Bates to Release Latest Book in His ‘Diamond District Mystery’ Series

“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.

Tacori bezel-set diamond bands
EditorsJul 29, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s Design Studio in LA

Senior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.

Mighty Fierce Audacious Necklace, Sandy Rubin Aziza Necklace, Koulianos Designs Illuminations Shield Pendant
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2025
Melee The Show Welcomes 15 New Designers

The first-time exhibitors, set to debut at the New York City show, share a devotion to craftsmanship, storytelling, and material integrity.

Auctim emerald auction
SourcingJul 29, 2025
Auctim to Offer 7.3M+ Carats of Rough Emeralds

The online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.

AGS Board President for 2025-2026 Alexis Padis
MajorsJul 29, 2025
Alexis Padis Re-Elected AGS Board President

She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.

Stock image of shipping containers
Policies & IssuesJul 28, 2025
U.S.-EU Come to Agreement on Tariffs

Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.

Kevin O’ Leary and George Mayer of The 1916 Company
MajorsJul 28, 2025
The 1916 Company Partners with ‘Shark Tank’ Star’s Watch Insurance Platform

The retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.

Sissy’s new Little Rock store
IndependentsJul 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin to Open Flagship in Arkansas

The jeweler’s largest store yet is set to open in Little Rock next fall.

Jemma Wynne Forme Toggle Necklace
CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ Necklace

Anne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”

September Hong Kong jewelry show
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong Show

Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.

Bulgari Celestial Mosaic spinel necklace
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’

Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.

Mark and Candy Udell
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.

De Beers marine mining vessel the SS Nujoma
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2

While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

Francesca Villa Fantasia Collection The Crab Pendant, The Mermaid Pendant, Keep Dancing Seahorse Pendant, Keep Dancing Ladybug Pendant, Secret Dreams Pendant, The Puffer Fish Takes Flight Pendant
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio Characters

The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.

Breitling’s special Eagles Super Bowl watch on gold bracelet
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles

The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy