Quick answer
To choose a moissanite tennis bracelet, decide four things in this order: stone size, length, setting and metal. Stones run from a fine 2mm line to a bold 6.5mm. For length, measure your wrist and add 0.5 inch. Then pick the setting and metal that match how often you'll wear it.
Get those four right and the bracelet will sit well, sparkle properly and hold up. Here is how to decide each one.
Key takeaways
- Stone size: 2mm to 3mm for daily stacking, 4mm and up when it's the only piece on your wrist.
- Length: your wrist measurement plus 0.5 inch.
- Setting: 4-prong for sparkle, bezel for busy hands, bolo or stretch for an easy fit.
- Metal: 14K gold filled holds up best to the daily friction a bracelet gets.
1. Stone size: how much sparkle do you want?
Stone size changes the whole personality of a tennis bracelet. Small stones read as a fine line of light. Big stones read as a statement.
Moissanite is sold by DEW, diamond equivalent weight. That tells you the size of each stone compared to a diamond, which is what your eye actually sees.
| Stone size | Weight per stone (DEW) | The look |
|---|---|---|
| 2mm | Under 0.1 ct | Very fine, easy to stack, wear-anywhere |
| 3mm | 0.1 ct | Delicate but visible, a strong everyday choice |
| 4mm | 0.3 ct | Noticeable from across the table |
| 5mm | 0.5 ct | Statement piece, evenings and events |
| 6.5mm | 1 ct | Bold, each stone the size of a 1 carat diamond |
Moissanite tennis bracelet stone sizes, from 2mm to 6.5mm.
A quick rule: if you'll wear it daily with other bracelets or a watch, stay between 2mm and 3mm. If it's the only piece on your wrist, 4mm and up gets the attention it deserves.
One thing to keep in mind with bigger stones: moissanite throws a lot of rainbow fire. On a 5mm or 6.5mm line, that color flash is very visible in sunlight. Plenty of people love it. If you prefer a quieter sparkle, go smaller.
2. Length: wrist size plus half an inch
This is where most people get it wrong. A tennis bracelet that is too tight looks stiff and pinches. Too loose and it spins, slides over your hand and knocks against everything.
How to measure
- Wrap a soft measuring tape, or a strip of paper, around your wrist just above the wrist bone.
- Note the measurement where it meets, snug but not tight.
- Add 0.5 inch. That is your bracelet length.
Example: a 6 inch wrist takes a 6.5 inch bracelet. If you like a looser drape, go a touch longer. If you are buying a gift and can't measure, an adjustable style (see bolo below) takes the guessing out of it.
Good to know
Our clasped tennis bracelets start at 5.5in and go up to 7.9in, 8.3in or 8.7in depending on the style. The Zoé slider adjusts from 6.1in to 10.8in. Check each piece for its exact range.
3. Setting: how the stones are held
The setting affects the look, the comfort and how well the stones are protected.
- 4-prong. The classic. Four small claws hold each stone, which lets a lot of light in. Secure and sparkly, and the most common tennis setting.
- 3-prong. Less metal around each stone, so the line of moissanite looks more continuous. A bit more delicate.
- Bezel. A thin metal rim wraps each stone. Smooth, snag-free and very protective. You trade a little sparkle for durability, which makes it great for busy hands.
- Stretch. Stones on an elastic line, no clasp. Slips over your hand. Easy, casual, but less secure than a clasped bracelet.
- Bolo. A sliding closure that adjusts to your wrist. One bracelet fits a range of sizes, which makes it a smart gift.
Our Zoé Slider Tennis Bracelet is the adjustable pick. For a traditional clasped line, look at the Solène Tennis Bracelet, or the Lou Fine Tennis Bracelet if you want it finer.
For the other settings on this list, the Alba uses three prongs, the Nina a full bezel, and the Lise rolls on with no clasp at all.
Shop by setting
4. Metal: color and how it wears
Tennis bracelets get more friction than almost any other piece. They rub on desks, laptops and sleeves all day. So the metal choice matters.
- 925 sterling silver plated with rhodium. Bright white, the cleanest match for white moissanite.
- 925 sterling silver plated with 18K gold. Warm yellow color at an accessible price. The plating is thin, so expect it to wear over time on a piece you wear daily.
- 14K gold filled. A thick layer of real gold bonded to the base with heat and pressure, at least 5% of the total weight. It holds up far better to daily friction than plating. Browse the gold filled collection.
Every Daellia metal is nickel- and lead-free.
What about the stones themselves?
Look for D color and VVS1 clarity, which is what all Daellia white moissanite is. On a tennis bracelet, dozens of stones sit side by side. Any stone with a warmer tint stands out against its neighbors, so consistent top color matters more here than on a single solitaire.
Moissanite is also 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, just behind diamond at 10. It won't cloud or fade.
Keep it sparkling
- Take it off before swimming, showering or the gym.
- Clean with warm water, mild dish soap and a soft toothbrush, then dry with a lint-free cloth.
- Store it on its own so the stones don't scratch other pieces.
More tips in our jewelry care guide. And if your bracelet ever looks dull, here is why moissanite doesn't really get cloudy.
How to choose a moissanite tennis bracelet to stack or to gift
A thin tennis bracelet stacks beautifully with a second one in another metal or stone size. Browse the full Riviera tennis collection to pair them. Shipping is free and tracked on every US order. Buy two pieces and 10% comes off automatically, 15% for three or more.
Buying one as a gift? If you can't measure her wrist, measure a bracelet she already wears, laid flat, or choose a sliding bolo that adjusts on the spot. For a first tennis bracelet, 2mm to 3mm stones in the metal she already wears are the safest pick. Not sure which metal? Our gold filled vs gold plated guide explains the difference.
Find your line of light.
Moissanite tennis bracelets from fine 2mm lines to bold 6.5mm stones, with free tracked US shipping.
Shop tennis braceletsFrequently asked questions
Why is it called a tennis bracelet?
The name is usually traced to tennis champion Chris Evert. During a US Open match, her diamond line bracelet fell from her wrist onto the court, and she explained that she had dropped her "tennis bracelet." The phrase stuck, and a slim, flexible line of evenly set stones has been called a tennis bracelet ever since.
Can you wear a moissanite tennis bracelet every day?
Yes. Moissanite is 9.25 on the Mohs scale and won't cloud or fade, so the stones handle daily wear. The metal is what ages. For an everyday bracelet, pick 14K gold filled and a secure clasp, and take it off for the gym, the pool and the shower. A quick clean every week or two keeps the sparkle up.
Should a tennis bracelet be loose or tight?
Slightly loose. It should move a little on your wrist without sliding over your hand, which for most people means wrist size plus about 0.5 inch. Go a little snugger with large stones if you want them to stay on top of the wrist, and a little looser if you like a relaxed drape.
How many carats is a moissanite tennis bracelet?
It depends on stone size and length, because bigger stones and a longer line both add carats. As a guide, our Solène, with 3mm or 4mm stones, runs from 3.9 to 15.3ct DEW by size and length. The Victoire, with 5mm or 6.5mm stones, runs from 13 to 32ct DEW. DEW means diamond equivalent weight.
Can you shower with a moissanite tennis bracelet?
Better not. Water won't hurt moissanite, but soap and shampoo leave a film that dulls the sparkle, and hot water, chlorine and friction wear plating down faster. Take the bracelet off, set it somewhere dry, and put it back on once your skin is dry and your lotion has soaked in.
Keep reading
Written by the Daellia Journal team, Paris. We write about moissanite, metals and the stories behind fine jewelry so you can buy with confidence. Read our moissanite guide or our story.
