TrendsOct 16, 2023
Amanda’s Style File: Forever Floral TrendsOct 18, 2023
Current Jewelry Trend: Don’t Call It a Tennis Necklace
A simple gold and diamond line necklace has become a major fine jewelry trend, but several designers offer a more interesting spin.
Vice Versa “Kin Necklace” in 14-karat yellow gold with 2.10 carats of white diamonds ($13,625)
New York—Whether a fine jewelry connoisseur considers themselves a minimalist or a layer-it-all-on-and-then-some magpie, chances are they already own or are coveting the perfect diamond tennis necklace.
A simple diamond rivière, meaning “river” in French, has been popular since the 1700s, according to Lang Antiques’ online Antique Jewelry University.
Comprised of stones that are equal or slightly graduated in size, today the style is often referred to as a tennis necklace for its similarity to the tennis bracelet, or a diamond line necklace.
Though never out of style, it’s experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years.
While in the past, a diamond rivière may have been stored in a safe and taken out for special occasions, today’s tennis necklace has a more casual feel and is worn as an everyday style.
In the era of consumers buying fine jewelry for themselves and enjoying their purchases as daily accessories, tennis necklaces with smaller diamonds have proliferated. They’re more appropriate for daytime than a massive diamond statement piece and are easy to layer with other necklaces.
That makes the diamond tennis necklace a wardrobe MVP, as reliable as a favorite pair of jeans, which, coincidentally, pair just as well with a diamond line necklace as a formal gown or suit.
From a design standpoint, a tennis necklace doesn’t offer much in the way of individuality. However, jewelry designers have put their own spin on the style.
While not classic tennis necklaces, brands have cashed in on the style’s popularity through 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 rivière with as much potential for layering but are, arguably, more interesting to look at.
Azlee “Scattered Gold Bar and Diamond Tennis Necklace” in 18-karat yellow gold with 2.2 carats of round brilliant-cut and baguette-cut diamonds ($24,900)
Sorellina “L’Imperatice” necklace in 18-karat yellow gold with 4.02 carats of diamonds, measuring 16 inches ($26,000)
Harwell Godfrey “Diamond Tennis Necklace” in 18-karat yellow gold with 13.10 carats of diamonds measuring 18 inches ($74,000)
Susana Martins "Unstoppable Choker" in 18-karat white gold with 1.68 carats of diamonds ($10,318)
Ara Vartanian “Link Necklace” in 18-karat gold with 1.41 carats of modified round brilliant-cut white diamonds, 0.29 carats of inverted round brilliant-cut black diamonds, and a 0.92-carat briolette diamond on the clasp ($21,490)
Yvonne Leon 18-karat white and yellow gold “Riviere” necklace with 2.17 carats of diamonds ($12,394)
Boochier 18-karat recycled yellow gold “Slinkee” necklace with 3.6 carats of diamonds measuring 16 inches
Jade Trau “Pia Necklace” in 18-karat white gold with brushed finish and 1.52 carats of diamonds measuring 18 inches ($11,500)
Ondyn 15-inch “Grand Rainsun Tennis Necklace” in 18-karat yellow gold with 7.15 total carats of diamonds ($33,500)
Eriness “Baguette Flat Link Necklace” in 14-karat yellow gold with 4.70 carats of diamonds measuring 16 inches ($30,100)
Foundrae “Oversized Pave Mixed Clip Chain” in 18-karat 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 14-karat gold with 3.30 carats of diamonds ($11,000)
Jacquie Aiche 14-karat yellow gold “Sofia” necklace with round brilliant-cut and pear-shaped diamonds ($21,250)
Suzanne Kalan “Golden Midi Stacker Tennis Necklace” in 18-karat yellow gold with 10.92 carats of baguette-cut diamonds measuring 17 inches ($76,000)
Lauren Rubinski 16-inch, 14-karat yellow gold “Small Links Necklace” with 0.56 carats of diamonds ($13,570)
Melissa Kaye “Audrey” necklace measuring 15 inches in 18-karat yellow gold with 7.44 carats of diamonds ($65,450)
Lizzie Mandler “XS Link and Eclat Tennis Necklace” in 18-karat yellow gold with 2.53 carats of diamonds ($13,860)
Ara Vartanian’s almost utilitarian gold and diamond links, with a few signature inverted black diamonds, provide a unisex alternative to a diamond line necklace, while Jacquie Aiche’s dangling diamonds offer the brand’s quintessential movement and romantic style.
One of Sydney Evan’s latest tennis necklace-adjacent pieces features her beloved evil eye as chain links, while Lauren Rubinski’s take is all about bold gold, with a few pavé diamond links thrown in.
Descended from generations of diamond dealers, Jade Trau designer Jade Lustig always has gravitated toward the stone over colored gemstones. Her everyday-appropriate diamond and gold necklaces are all about the interplay between the stone and the metal.
“The ‘Pia Necklace’ is definitely a brand favorite and I think it’s because it strikes the perfect balance of chain to diamond ratio,” she explained of the style.
“It’s just enough diamond to feel like a diamond necklace and yet enough classic chain to have that weighty gold chain feel. It also has total standalone appeal but equally layers immaculately with other necklaces.”
Vice Versa Jewelry co-founders Sophie Thoerner and Hannah Traulsen’s “Kin Necklace” has put the emerging brand on the map. Dangling diamonds are interspersed between the links of a simple ball chain.
Like a lot of good ideas, the design concept was the answer to a problem Thoerner and Traulsen encountered with regular diamond necklaces.
“We love the effortless, everyday look of a diamond tennis necklace but we found traditional tennis necklaces were always flipping so the diamonds weren’t visible,” they said.
“We created the ‘Kin Necklace’ as a sophisticated alternative that always lays right on your neck. The graduating wave of diamonds adds movement and makes it look like the diamonds are almost floating. A little bit sexy and totally cool, it’s our take on the classic style.”
A well-designed tennis necklace alternative often shows a designer firm in their visual identity.
Azlee’s elegant geometric aesthetic is excellently expressed in the company’s “Scattered Gold Bar and Diamond Tennis Necklace,” while Boochier’s playful ethos is on full display in its gold and diamond necklace featuring its “Slinkee” motif.
Scroll up to the gallery to see 17 designers’ takes on a versatile, everyday gold and diamond necklace.
More on Trends
The Latest
AuctionsDec 08, 2023
Sotheby’s Sold All Mary Tyler Moore’s JewelryThe 21 pieces up for auction, including Tiffany & Co. jewels and a Cartier watch, garnered more than $430,000 across two sales.
CollectionsDec 08, 2023
Piece of the Week: A ‘Strong & Precious’ Brooch Centered on a sunny heliodor, the “Links” pin was designed by Ukrainian jewelry artist Inesa Kovalova.
MajorsDec 07, 2023
Lashbrook Sues Manly Bands for Allegedly Copying Designs The wedding band company is also accusing its former customer of removing watermarks from Lashbrook images for its own use.
Brought to you by
The Most Important “C” in Diamonds: Confidence!Without the ability to instill confidence within the industry and directly to the consumer, a diamond holds very little value.
Policies & IssuesDec 07, 2023
The G7’s Long-Awaited Statement on Russian Diamonds Is Here It provides a timeline for the implementation of new restrictions, but no details.
Weekly QuizDec 07, 2023
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge with this short test.
MajorsDec 07, 2023
24 Karat Club of New York Welcomes New MembersThe organization has elected 12 new additions.
ColumnistsDec 06, 2023
On Data: How Are Independents Doing So Far This Holiday Season? Sherry Smith breaks down the numbers on jewelry sales in November and reveals the category that “emerged as a standout.”
Brought to you by
If It’s Custom, Make It PlatinumWith holiday proposals right around the corner, encourage your customers to go for platinum when making the big purchase.
AuctionsDec 06, 2023
A Yellow Diamond, Hollywood Jewels Stand Out at Sotheby’s Additional lots will be offered in the Fine Jewels online sale through Dec. 7.
GradingDec 06, 2023
GIA Debuts Revamped Graduate Jeweler ProgramBy mixing creative and practical skills, the new course hopes to fill the industry’s bench jeweler gap.
AuctionsDec 06, 2023
Verdura Cuff, Burmese Sapphire Shine at Bonhams Several other colored gemstones joined the pieces in the top 10 list.
FinancialsDec 05, 2023
Signet Jewelers’ Q3 Sales Down 12% The retailer is still expecting a strong holiday season with improving demand for natural diamonds.
CrimeDec 05, 2023
Police Continue to Investigate Murder of Colorado Jeweler Peter Damian Arguello, the owner of Peter Damian Fine Jewelry & Antiques, was shot and killed in an apparent robbery last week.
MajorsDec 05, 2023
Tanishq Continues U.S. Expansion With 2 New StoresThe Indian jewelry giant has opened locations in Houston and Frisco, Texas.
SourcingDec 05, 2023
Grandview Klein Awards Two Scholarships in NamibiaEach student was provided with the full amount of tuition for the Namibia University of Science & Technology.
SourcingDec 04, 2023
David Prager To Leave De Beers in 2024Ryan Perry, who has been with De Beers since 2002, also will be leaving the company next year.
WatchesDec 04, 2023
Chrono24 Debuts the ‘Dow Jones’ for Luxury WatchesThe watch seller’s new index tracks sales data from 14 brands, including Rolex and Patek Philippe.
MajorsDec 04, 2023
David Bouffard to Leave Signet, RJCThe industry veteran will step down from both roles in April 2024.
Lab-GrownDec 01, 2023
Lightbox Teams Up With Brand Founded by Former Tiffany ExecThe lab-grown diamond brand also collaborated with the website The Future Rocks on a collection launching today.
FinancialsDec 01, 2023
Movado Lowers Guidance Again After Q3 Sales DipThe company said it is facing a “challenging retail environment” but is prepared for the holiday season.
CollectionsDec 01, 2023
Piece of the Week: Muzo’s Emerald and Argyle Pink Diamond NecklaceIt’s the hero piece of the newest "Green Jewel" collection, a collaborative offering from the two mines.
AuctionsNov 30, 2023
This Pink Diamond Reigned Supreme in Hong KongThe 15.48-carat fancy intense “Pink Supreme” topped Christie’s fall jewelry auction in Asia, while a Patek Philippe led the watch sale.
MajorsNov 30, 2023
Claire’s Hires Former Bath & Body Works Exec as CFO, COOChris Cramer, who also spent time at Gen Z intimates brand Parade, will take on the dual role.
AuctionsNov 30, 2023
Sotheby’s To Auction 133-Carat Yellow DiamondThe stone headlining the upcoming sale could fetch up to $5 million.
IndependentsNov 30, 2023
Frank Adams Rolls Out Kwiat’s ‘Mine to Shine’ ProgramThe retail offering lets customers track their diamond’s journey.
SourcingNov 29, 2023
Largest New Diamond Mine of the Decade Coming Online in Angola The Luele mine is expected to eventually make the country the world’s third-largest diamond producer.
SurveysNov 29, 2023
Holiday Shoppers Broke a Record This Weekend, Says NRFFrom Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, 200.4 million consumers shopped online and in stores.
