Key takeaways
- A tennis bracelet and a riviera bracelet (bracelet rivière) are the same piece: a continuous line of diamonds set in a flexible, articulated mount.
- At Laveran, a diamond tennis bracelet starts at €1,400 for 1 carat and costs €2,648 for 3 carats, in 18k gold or in platinum at the same price.
- Standard length is 17 cm (6.7 in), and it can be made to any length: measure your wrist and add 1 to 1.5 cm (about 0.4 to 0.6 in).
A diamond tennis bracelet costs from €1,400 at Laveran Paris for 1 total carat of lab-grown diamonds set in 18k gold, and €2,648 for 3 carats. The price depends mainly on total carat weight, diamond shape and diamond quality. This guide helps you choose yours: riviera vs. tennis, how many carats, which shape, the right length, the clasp, the metal, and what changes for a men's or women's tennis bracelet.
Contents
- Tennis bracelet vs. riviera bracelet: what's the difference?
- How much does a diamond tennis bracelet cost?
- How many carats should a tennis bracelet be?
- Which diamond shape should you choose?
- What length for your wrist size?
- Clasp and security: how not to lose your bracelet
- 18k gold vs. 9k gold: why it matters
- Women's vs. men's tennis bracelet: what changes
- Giving a diamond bracelet as a gift
- Frequently asked questions
Tennis bracelet vs. riviera bracelet: what's the difference?
There is none: "riviera bracelet" and "tennis bracelet" are two names for the same piece of jewelry. Both describe a row of identically sized diamonds set one after another in a supple, articulated mount that follows the wrist. "Rivière de diamants" (a river of diamonds) is the traditional French name, also used for necklaces built the same way. "Tennis bracelet" became popular after the 1978 US Open, when player Chris Evert had a match stopped to find her diamond bracelet, which had fallen onto the court.
The full history of the piece and its meaning are covered in our article the tennis bracelet: origin, history and meaning. Here, we focus on buying one.
How much does a diamond tennis bracelet cost?
Expect €1,400 for a 1-carat diamond tennis bracelet, roughly €2,600 to €3,600 between 3 and 5 carats, and €6,472 for 10 carats at Laveran. These prices are for our round diamond riviera bracelet, set with round brilliant lab-grown diamonds. They are the same in 18k yellow, white or rose gold and in 950 platinum. Here is the full price grid, as of October 2026:
| Total diamond weight | H/VS2 quality | F/VS1 quality | D/VVS1 quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 carat | €1,400 | €1,512 | €1,592 |
| 2 carats | €1,768 | €1,936 | €2,072 |
| 3 carats | €2,648 | €2,880 | €3,024 |
| 4 carats | €3,192 | €3,360 | €3,552 |
| 5 carats | €3,528 | €3,984 | €4,168 |
| 8 carats | €4,560 | €5,104 | €5,520 |
| 10 carats | €6,472 | €7,184 | €7,744 |
| 12 carats | €7,120 | €7,984 | €8,640 |
| 15 carats | €9,056 | €9,984 | €10,560 |
| 18 carats | €12,160 | €13,120 | €13,160 |
The letter is the diamond's color grade (D is the whitest), the code is its clarity (VVS1 is cleaner than VS2). On a bracelet, where each stone is small, H/VS2 already looks white and bright.
Why these prices? These are lab-grown diamonds (also called lab-created or synthetic diamonds): the same composition as natural diamonds, pure carbon, the same hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale, the same sparkle, and up to 80% less expensive at equivalent quality. All our diamonds are free of fluorescence.
Want to see the difference between 2, 5 and 10 carats on your wrist? In our 11 showrooms in France or by video call, an expert shows you riviera bracelets side by side and helps you choose the length. Tennis bracelets from €1,400. Book an appointment →
How many carats should a tennis bracelet be?
Between 1 and 3 carats for a delicate tennis bracelet to wear every day, 4 to 5 carats for a classic, clearly visible piece, and 8 carats or more for a bold riviera. The weight shown is always the total weight of all the diamonds in the bracelet, not the weight of a single stone.
- 1 to 3 carats: a fine, discreet line that you can wear with a watch. Often a first diamond bracelet.
- 4 to 5 carats: each diamond becomes clearly visible. A good balance between everyday and evening wear.
- 8 to 18 carats: larger stones and a wider, bolder bracelet. This is fine-jewelry statement territory, and a frequent choice for a men's tennis bracelet.
What about the number of diamonds? At the same length, the line has to go all the way around the wrist: the higher the total weight, the larger each stone, and the fewer stones you need to cover the same length. The exact count also depends on the length you choose, so ask for it on the model you like. Metal weight follows the same logic: 8 to 21 grams of 18k gold for our round diamond riviera bracelet, depending on the diamond weight.
Which diamond shape: round, princess, emerald, oval or Asscher?
Round diamonds are the most brilliant and the most versatile; princess, emerald and Asscher cuts give a more graphic bracelet; oval and pear shapes give a softer, more feminine line. Here are the riviera bracelets available at Laveran, with their actual starting prices:
| Model | Total weight | Starting price | The look on the wrist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round diamond riviera | 1 to 18 carats | €1,400 | The most sparkling, from delicate to wide |
| Pear diamond riviera, high jewelry | 3.60 carats | €4,296 | Delicate, contemporary line |
| Princess diamond riviera | 5.50 or 10 carats | €4,792 | Square diamonds in a channel setting, clean lines |
| Pear diamond riviera | 6.50 carats | €5,352 | Elongated shape, very glamorous |
| Oval diamond riviera | 8 carats | €5,352 | Soft, continuous and very bright line |
| Emerald-cut diamond riviera | 9 carats | €6,232 | Rectangles bordered with round diamonds, vintage feel |
| Asscher diamond riviera | 12.50 carats | €7,472 | Square step cut, Art Deco effect |
- Round goes with everything, from an engagement ring to a wedding band or a watch, and comes in 1 to 18 carats.
- Princess, channel set, forms a continuous band with no visible prongs: the princess diamond riviera bracelet starts at €4,792 (5.50 carats) and costs €6,912 in 10 carats.
- Oval looks larger at the same weight and visually lengthens the wrist: oval diamond riviera bracelet, 8 carats, from €5,352.
- Emerald and Asscher cuts play on "hall of mirrors" step reflections rather than sparkle: a very elegant look. The Asscher diamond riviera bracelet (12.50 carats) starts at €7,472.
What tennis bracelet length for your wrist size?
Measure your wrist and add 1 to 1.5 cm (about 0.4 to 0.6 in): a tennis bracelet should fit snugly without squeezing. Too loose, it spins and shows the clasp instead of the diamonds; too tight, it becomes uncomfortable. The test: you should be able to slip one finger between the bracelet and your skin.
| Wrist size | Recommended bracelet length |
|---|---|
| 14 cm (5.5 in) | 15 to 15.5 cm (5.9 to 6.1 in) |
| 15 cm (5.9 in) | 16 to 16.5 cm (6.3 to 6.5 in) |
| 16 cm (6.3 in) | 17 to 17.5 cm (6.7 to 6.9 in) |
| 17 cm (6.7 in) | 18 to 18.5 cm (7.1 to 7.3 in) |
| 18 cm (7.1 in) | 19 to 19.5 cm (7.5 to 7.7 in) |
| 19 cm (7.5 in) | 20 to 20.5 cm (7.9 to 8.1 in) |
Our riviera bracelets come in 17 cm (6.7 in) by default and can be made to the length of your choice. To measure accurately, even in secret, follow our guide: how to measure your bracelet size.
Clasp and security: how not to lose your tennis bracelet
A tennis bracelet needs a locking clasp backed by a safety catch: this is the first thing to check before buying. The most common system is the box clasp, a tongue that clicks into place, combined with one or two figure-eight safety latches on the side. If the main clasp opens by accident, the safety holds the bracelet.
When buying, check that the clasp closes with a firm click, that the safety latch snaps shut, and that the bracelet stays supple, with no stiff links.
After that, maintenance does the rest. At Laveran, polishing and prong checks are free for life: once or twice a year is a good habit for a piece you wear every day. Every piece is also covered by a lifetime warranty.
18k gold vs. 9k gold: why it matters
18k gold contains 75% pure gold, 9k gold only 37.5%: at the same advertised price, it is not the same piece of jewelry. To advertise a low-priced diamond tennis bracelet, part of the market uses 9k gold (375 parts per thousand, stamped with a clover hallmark in France). The piece contains half as much pure gold.
| 18k gold | 9k gold | |
|---|---|---|
| Fineness | 750 parts per thousand | 375 parts per thousand |
| Pure gold content | 75% | 37.5% |
| French hallmark | Eagle's head | Clover |
At Laveran, every bracelet is made in 18k gold (yellow, white or rose) or 950 platinum, and platinum is the same price as gold: a platinum bracelet costs nothing extra. When comparing prices, always check two numbers: the metal's fineness and the total diamond weight.
Women's vs. men's tennis bracelet: what changes
It is the same piece: only the length, the diamond weight and sometimes the shape change.
- Women's tennis bracelet: often 1 to 5 carats, 17 to 18 cm (6.7 to 7.1 in) on average. Round, oval or pear diamonds create a fine, bright line, in yellow or rose gold for warmth, in white gold for an icy look.
- Men's tennis bracelet: often longer (19 to 21 cm, or 7.5 to 8.3 in, on average for a man's wrist) and bolder, from 5 carats and up, for stones you can see. Round diamonds in white gold or platinum are a classic; princess and Asscher cuts appeal for their geometric look.
On price, a men's diamond tennis bracelet follows the same grid as the women's: total diamond weight sets the price. For a custom length, mention it at your appointment.
For a diamond bracelet more understated than a riviera, for men or women, the Port Royal bracelet carries four bezel-set round diamonds spaced around the wrist, from €928 (0.60 total carat).
Giving a diamond bracelet as a gift
For a safe gift, choose round diamonds in H/VS2 quality between 2 and 5 carats, and borrow a bracelet they already wear to get the length.
- Timing: each bracelet is made to order, allow 2 to 3 weeks. Some models may be in stock or made in a few days with express production, with the timing confirmed at your appointment. For Christmas, order before the end of November.
- Engraving is complimentary: initials or a date, for a wedding anniversary, a birth or a milestone.
- Delivery is free, insured and hand-delivered.
- Peace of mind: returns accepted within 30 days.
- Payment can be split into installments with Alma.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a diamond tennis bracelet cost?
At Laveran, a lab-grown diamond tennis bracelet costs €1,400 for 1 carat, €2,648 for 3 carats, €3,528 for 5 carats and €6,472 for 10 carats (H/VS2 quality), in 18k gold or in platinum at the same price.
Why is it called a tennis bracelet?
The name comes from the 1978 US Open: player Chris Evert lost her diamond bracelet mid-match, and play was stopped while it was found. Until then, the piece was called a riviera bracelet, and both names are used today.
What is the difference between a diamond riviera and a tennis bracelet?
For a bracelet, none: it is the same line of diamonds set in an articulated mount. "Rivière de diamants" also refers to a necklace built the same way.
How many carats should a tennis bracelet be?
1 to 3 carats for a delicate bracelet to wear every day, 4 to 5 carats for a classic, clearly visible piece, 8 carats and up for a bold riviera or a men's tennis bracelet.
Can you wear a tennis bracelet every day?
Yes, as long as it fits well and has a secure clasp. Have the prongs checked regularly: at Laveran, polishing and prong checks are free for life.
What size tennis bracelet should I get?
Add 1 to 1.5 cm (about 0.4 to 0.6 in) to your wrist measurement. Our riviera bracelets come in 17 cm (6.7 in) and can be made to the length of your choice.
Is a lab-grown diamond bracelet made of real diamonds?
Yes. A lab-grown diamond, also called a synthetic diamond, is pure carbon, with the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale) and the same sparkle as a natural diamond. Only its origin differs, and it costs up to 80% less at equivalent quality.
Torn between two weights or two shapes? The easiest way to decide is to compare them on your wrist. Book an appointment in one of our 11 showrooms in France (Paris, Lyon, Nice, Marseille, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Lille, Montpellier, Annecy, Aix-en-Provence, La Rochelle) or by video call: we will prepare diamond riviera bracelets within your budget.
