There’s something quietly magical about the moment you clasp a tennis necklace around your neck. It’s not flashy in the way a chunky statement piece can be, nor is it as loudly symbolic as an engagement ring. Instead, a tennis necklace has this understated confidence about it — this elegant, unbroken stream of sparkle that feels just as at home with a silk blouse as it does with a white tee and messy bun.

Over the past year, I’ve noticed more of my friends, colleagues, and even a couple of normally-minimalist stylists gravitating towards lab grown diamond tennis necklaces. And honestly, I get why. The trend isn’t just about fashion; it’s tied to a bigger shift in how we think about luxury, sustainability, and personal style.

I’ll admit it: I used to assume tennis necklaces were reserved for red carpets and people who say “Côte d’Azur” the way the rest of us say “Gold Coast.” But well, things have changed — dramatically.

And most of the change comes down to lab grown diamonds.

The Surprising Shift Toward Sustainable Luxe

A decade ago, if you’d told a jeweller in Sydney or Melbourne that the future of fine jewellery would involve diamonds grown in labs, they probably would’ve raised an eyebrow and gently shown you the door. Today, many of those same jewellers are the ones educating customers about the science, ethics, and beauty behind these stones.

What you might not know is that lab grown diamonds are chemically and visually identical to mined diamonds. Every time I interview a gemmologist for a fashion piece, they explain it the same way: if you place a lab grown diamond and a mined diamond next to each other, even a trained expert can only tell them apart with specialised equipment.

And, if I’m being honest, this is the part that surprised me the most when I first learned it. I’d expected some sort of compromise — less sparkle, maybe, or a slightly “off” look. But no. Lab grown diamonds have that razor-sharp brightness you want in a tennis necklace, especially one that traces the entire neckline.

The jewellery houses who were early adopters of lab grown stones are now seeing a wave of conscious consumers asking about traceability and environmental impact. For anyone who’s been quietly wondering whether these stones are “real,” the answer is a resounding yes. The only real difference is how they came into the world.

If you’re curious about the science, this helpful piece on lab grown diamonds does a surprisingly good job explaining the basics without drowning you in technical jargon.

Why Tennis Necklaces Make Sense Right Now

I’ve been writing about jewellery for years, and trends usually follow a predictable cycle. But the tennis necklace revival feels different — more personal, more thoughtful, almost nostalgic.

Here’s what’s driving it:

1. Versatility (and a Bit of Everyday Luxury)

We’re living in an era where we want our jewellery to work. A tennis necklace doesn’t sit in the box waiting for a wedding or gala. It goes with linen, denim, blazers, cocktail dresses — anything you throw at it. I’ve worn mine to brunch and to a business lunch on the same day, with two completely different outfits, and it just… worked.

2. The “Quiet Luxury” Movement

The moment Gwyneth Paltrow walked into court wearing soft cashmere and minimal glam, the world seemed to collectively rediscover the charm of understatement. Tennis necklaces fall right into that category: polished, elegant, and quietly expensive-looking.

3. More Accessible Prices

The biggest driver? Honestly, lab grown diamonds make tennis necklaces attainable for a far wider audience. What once cost the price of a car now costs the price of a good holiday — still an investment, but one that doesn’t require winning the lottery.

If you want an idea of what’s available in the market, these beautifully curated lab grown diamond tennis necklaces are a great example of how modern jewellers are elevating the category.

What Makes a Good Lab Grown Diamond Tennis Necklace?

I’ve spoken with jewellers, designers, and a few collectors who buy tennis pieces the way others collect vintage wine. A few things come up every single time:

The Diamonds Should Match Each Other

This sounds obvious, but matching is everything — colour, clarity, and cut consistency determine whether the necklace glitters in a smooth, fluid line or looks disjointed.

Good jewellers match diamonds so closely it’s almost like they’re one continuous stone.

The Setting Matters More Than Most People Realise

Another thing I didn’t understand early in my career: the setting is just as important as the stones. The metal should be secure but minimal, letting the diamonds do the heavy lifting. You want durability without bulk.

A flimsy setting can snap; a clunky one ruins the entire aesthetic.

Flexibility is Key

A tennis necklace shouldn’t feel rigid. The best ones drape naturally along the collarbone, moving with you. If it feels stiff, that’s a red flag.

The Clasp Shouldn’t Be an Afterthought

Too many people overlook the clasp — until it fails. A double-locking clasp gives peace of mind, especially for a piece you’re planning to wear regularly.

Pay Attention to Length

This is one of the stylistic choices that makes a big difference. A choker-length tennis necklace feels bold and contemporary, while a slightly longer one has that timeless, Cannes-film-festival elegance.

If you’re petite, too much length can overwhelm your frame; if you’re tall, shorter pieces can sit a bit too high. Try them on if you can.

Why Lab Grown Diamonds Work So Well in Tennis Necklaces

Even though you can put any diamond into a tennis setting, lab grown stones are particularly well-suited to this specific style.

A necklace made up of dozens of diamonds — sometimes hundreds — needs consistency. Lab grown diamonds allow jewellers to match stones with extraordinary precision, creating that smooth “river of light” effect tennis necklaces are famous for.

The clarity is often higher, too, which gives them that crisp sparkle people love. You’ll also get a lot more diamond for your budget, which means you can go for larger stones or a full-carat-weight look you might not dare with mined diamonds.

A jeweller I spoke with in Melbourne last month summed it up perfectly:
“Lab grown is the only thing that makes tennis necklaces viable for everyday Australians. Without it, the price just doesn’t make sense.”

I appreciated the honesty.

Styling Tips: How to Wear a Tennis Necklace Without Feeling Overdone

If you’ve ever wondered whether a tennis necklace is “too much” for everyday life, here’s the truth: it’s only too much if you style it that way. A few tips I’ve picked up — some from stylists, some from my own trial and error:

Keep the Neckline Simple

V-necks, scoops, and open-collar shirts let the necklace shine naturally. High necklines work too, but they create a different, more polished effect.

Play with Layering (but Don’t Go Wild)

If the necklace is delicate, layering with a fine gold chain creates a gorgeous contrast. But avoid pairing it with multiple chunky pieces — it competes rather than complements.

Dress It Down Intentionally

A tennis necklace with a plain tee and blazer looks effortlessly put-together. It’s that mix of casual and luxe that feels very “modern Australian.”

Let It Be the Star for Evening Wear

For formal occasions, the necklace can stand alone. Seriously, you don’t need big earrings or a bold bracelet — it carries the look all by itself.

Caring for Your Tennis Necklace (It’s Easier Than You Think)

One of the questions people always ask is how to maintain the sparkle. The good news: lab grown diamonds are as durable as mined stones, so caring for them is straightforward.

A few simple habits go a long way:

• Wipe the necklace with a soft cloth after wearing it (it removes oils that dull the shine).
• Give it a gentle clean in warm, soapy water every couple of weeks.
• Store it flat, not tangled with other jewellery.
• And, because I’ve learned this the hard way: put your necklace on after lotions and perfumes, not before.

It’s the sort of maintenance routine you could do in five minutes while waiting for the kettle to boil.

Are Lab Grown Diamond Tennis Necklaces a Good Investment?

This is where the conversation gets interesting. Financially, lab grown diamonds don’t hold resale value in the same way as rare mined stones. If you’re buying a necklace purely as an investment to resell later, mined diamonds still dominate that market.

But — and this is a pretty big but — most people today aren’t buying tennis necklaces as speculative assets. They’re buying them to wear, enjoy, and hand down.

From a lifestyle perspective, they’re an excellent investment:

• You can afford quality you’d never touch with mined stones.
• You get something spectacular yet wearable.
• The environmental footprint is dramatically lower.
• You can choose the exact style, size, and brilliance that fits your taste.

So in the real-world sense, yes — they’re a smart investment in your personal style and daily luxury.

The Cultural Moment: Why This Trend Isn’t Going Anywhere

Sometimes a trend has a short half-life, but tennis necklaces have roots that go back decades — from Chris Evert’s iconic match in the ’70s to the quiet luxury revival today.

The rise of lab grown diamonds has simply made the style accessible in a way the world hasn’t seen before.

I’ve interviewed enough designers in the past 12 months to see the writing on the wall: this isn’t a fad. It’s the new normal. Lab grown tennis pieces are selling out faster than they can be made, and customers are getting younger. There’s something meaningful happening here — a shift in the idea of what luxury means.

And honestly, I think it’s refreshing.

Luxury doesn’t need to be loud or exclusive or intimidating. Sometimes it’s as simple as a necklace that catches the light while you’re grabbing coffee on a Tuesday morning.

Final Thoughts: A Necklace That Feels Like a Little Bit of Everyday Magic

If you’ve been sitting on the fence about getting a tennis necklace — maybe wondering whether it’s too bold, too expensive, too impractical — consider this your sign. There’s a reason the style has captured people’s imaginations for decades.

A lab grown diamond tennis necklace feels timeless but modern, indulgent but sensible, glamorous but wearable. It’s one of those rare pieces that doesn’t ask you to “save it for a special occasion.” Instead, it quietly makes ordinary days feel a little brighter.

And maybe, in a world that moves far too quickly, that’s exactly the sort of luxury we need.