Tennis bracelets are an undeniable classic. Effortlessly stylish, these pieces go with literally anything. Wear your diamond tennis bracelet every day, save it for a special event… or wear it to both! Whenever you wear it, you will sparkle bright! HOW bright will depend on the carat weight chosen – keep reading to find out everything you need to know about this so you get the perfect tennis bracelet for you.
First things first, what IS carat weight? One of the 4C’s, this is the weight or size of the diamonds. So if a stone is 200 milligrams, it is 1 carat. When it comes to engagement rings, this often refers to the center stone. When it comes to tennis bracelets similar to wedding rings, the carat weight normally refers to the weight of the ENTIRE bracelet, not each individual stone.
Carat weight affects price. So it is important to keep in mind that the larger the carat number, i.e. the higher the carat weight, the higher the price tag. If you want to maximize your bling for your buck, consider a lab grown option. At James Allen, we have tennis bracelets available in natural and lab grown options in a range of carat weights, from 1 carat up to 10 carats.
A good rule of thumb is the bigger the carat, the more your bracelet will dazzle. If you prefer a more subtle shine, a lower carat weight will work best for you. If you like your bling to blow people away, then go for a higher carat weight. Also consider your lifestyle, the more active you are, the more you may want to consider carat weight.
A larger carat weight will also mean less physical diamonds on the bracelet. One more thing to keep in mind, the bigger the carats, the more important the other Cs become, such as clarity, cut, and color, because the larger the carats, the more possibilities for inclusions to show.
On average, a tennis bracelet will typically be 3 or 4 carats. However, the best carat weight for a tennis bracelet is the one that suits you best. Make sure to take into consideration budget, style, and lifestyle. Tennis bracelets are a staple, a true investment piece, whether you are buying a gold bracelet just because or are buying a tennis bracelet as a wedding gift, it is a present you will not regret buying.
Let’s look at the different carat weights for tennis bracelets and see how they compare
Subtle and stylish, 1 carat tennis bracelets are the lowest you should go according to experts. Any lower and you risk losing quality and more importantly, sparkle. A one carat tennis bracelet is arguably the most budget-friendly option available while still achieving the elegance these beauties are known for.
If you choose to increase to a 2 carat tennis bracelet, you will notice a significant increase in sparkle and shine, while still retaining the subtle qualities beloved in the 1 carat option.
One of the more common carat weights for tennis bracelets, moving up to 3 carats will give you even more brilliance and bling. A three carat tennis bracelet is great because it is bold…but not too big.
A significant jump in size, 4 carat tennis bracelets are a beautiful statement piece. Still retaining the timeless style tennis bracelets are known for, this eye-catching sparkle will draw the eye of all who see it. Although a higher carat weight, 4 carat tennis bracelets are still very wearable for those with an active lifestyle.
If you want to command attention wherever you go, a 5 carat tennis bracelet is a great way to do it. Undeniable sparkle and shine, 5 carat tennis bracelets are as bold as they are brilliant. A worthy investment, tennis bracelets are always in style.
When choosing carat weight keep in mind the following things:
A truely timeless piece, the best carat weight is the one that suits you best. Whether subtle or dramatic, you simply can’t go wrong with a tennis bracelet.
As we mentioned earlier, the general rule of thumb is the higher the carat weight, the higher the price. Price is also affected by the cut, color, and clarity of the diamonds. If you want to maximize your bling for your buck, consider lab grown diamonds. Visually, chemically, and physically the same as their natural counterparts, lab grown diamonds allow you to get more bling without spending more bucks.
The higher the carat weight, the fewer diamonds will be on the tennis bracelet. Why? Because lower carat weight diamonds are smaller, therefore more diamonds can fit around the band. The length of tennis bracelets generally does not change based on carat weight alone.
Lower carat weights give a more subtle shine. While they give incredible sparkle, lower carat weights can be a great choice if you prefer a more minimal look.
However, if you are a believer that bigger is better, or you love to be big and bold, then a higher carat weight tennis bracelet is perfect for you.
And of course, you can always get multiple lower carat weight bracelets and stack them. This way you can rock both a subtle and bold look.
A few more things to consider when deciding on the carat weight you want for your tennis bracelet are:
The best carat weight is the one that suits you best. With that in mind, the most common carat weights for tennis bracelets are 3 and 4.
The durability of a tennis bracelet mostly lies in the metal chosen and how the diamonds are set. A larger carat weight will mean larger diamonds and larger diamonds generally require stronger settings than smaller diamonds. The carat weight is more likely to influence the wearability of a tennis bracelet vs its durability.
While a 1 carat tennis bracelet will shine beautifully, moving to a 2 carat tennis bracelet will give a noticeable increase in sparkle while still retaining the subtlety of a smaller carat size.
Caring for a high carat weight tennis bracelet is similar to caring for a tennis bracelet of any carat weight.
First, always store your tennis bracelet in a clean, dry place. Preferably in its original packaging, or a fabric-lined jewelry box or soft pouch to prevent scratching and other potential damage.
Second, make sure to remove your tennis bracelet and safely store in situations such as cleaning, exercising, or going to the beach.
Third, always keep your tennis bracelet clean. Either take it to a professional jewelry to get cleaned or do it yourself at home. If doing it yourself, fill a bowl with warm water and dish soap, allow bracelet to soak for 15-20 minutes, gently brush away any debris with a soft toothbrush, and allow to air dry.
There are many customization options when choosing a tennis bracelet. In addition to carat size, you can choose stone shape, type of setting, and of course the metal. While some tennis bracelets come in a set carat weight, many designs give the option to choose the carat weight best for you.
