There’s a certain moment — usually halfway through a red-carpet livestream or while flicking through a glossy fashion mag — when you spot a necklace so effortlessly elegant that you pause and actually lean closer to the screen.
For me, that moment came earlier this year while covering an event in Melbourne. One of the guests walked in wearing a tennis necklace that shimmered under the lights in this understated, confident way. Not “look at me,” but “I belong here.”
Later I found out the necklace wasn’t mined at all. It was made with lab created diamonds, and honestly, that surprised me more than it should have. Because if you’d asked me five years ago whether lab-grown stones would hit the mainstream—let alone become the it choice for luxury jewellery—I would’ve hesitated.
But here we are. And the piece that seems to have captured the most hearts (and necks) is the lab created diamond tennis necklace.
If you haven’t explored this little corner of modern jewellery yet, well, you’re in for a treat. This isn’t just a trend — it’s a shift in how we think about luxury, value, ethics, and style.
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Why Tennis Necklaces Are Having a Renaissance
If you grew up thinking the only “tennis” jewellery was a bracelet named after an athlete’s wardrobe malfunction, you’re not alone. The tennis necklace was always considered the grown-up sibling of the bracelet: elegant, streamlined, versatile, and — let’s be real — expensive enough to be aspirational.
What’s changed is who’s wearing them.
And how often.
You might’ve noticed this too: tennis necklaces used to feel like something you wore to a wedding or your fanciest work gala. But lately, people are styling them with linen shirts, silk camisoles, tees, even activewear. I’ve seen influencers pair them with denim jackets in Byron and tailored blazers during Sydney Fashion Week.
It’s that combination of luxury and everydayness that makes them so captivating. A tennis necklace is timeless on its own, but when you modernise it with lab created diamonds, the whole thing becomes… well, accessible in a way that still feels undeniably luxurious.
What Makes Lab Created Diamond Tennis Necklaces So Popular?
If you ask ten people why they’re choosing lab grown stones, you’ll get ten slightly different answers.
But after speaking with jewellers, customers, and a few gemologists along the way, I’ve noticed some consistent themes.
1. They Look Exactly Like Mined Diamonds
Here’s something you might not know unless you’ve gone down the gemology rabbit hole: lab created diamonds are diamonds. Same crystal structure, same chemical composition, same sparkle.
A master jeweller once told me, “If I put a lab-grown stone and a mined stone in front of you, without a microscope and some serious training, you’d never know.”
He wasn’t exaggerating.
That’s part of the appeal — you get the same beauty without the same price tag or mining footprint.
2. The Price Difference Is Hard to Ignore
Most people don’t like talking about price, but let’s be honest: it matters.
A tennis necklace uses dozens — sometimes hundreds — of diamonds. With mined stones, that can run into eyewatering territory.
With lab created diamonds, you can get a necklace that looks every bit as dazzling while costing a fraction of the traditional price. And for a lot of customers, that’s the biggest reason they finally feel confident buying a tennis necklace instead of just admiring one.
3. Ethical and Sustainable Appeal
Australia has always had a strong eco-conscious streak, and shoppers today are savvier than ever.
Lab-grown stones avoid environmental disruption and eliminate the murky ethical issues that can come with mining in certain parts of the world.
It’s not surprising that younger buyers—especially in Australia’s big cities—tend to gravitate toward more transparent options.
4. They’re Versatile Enough for Literally Any Outfit
I’ve seen lab created diamond tennis necklaces worn by CEOs, brides, uni students celebrating graduation, and one very stylish barista who paired hers with a chunky black knit.
It just works.
The clean line of stones makes it that perfect in-between piece: sophisticated enough for a black-tie event, simple enough to wear to brunch.
A Style Deep-Dive: What Makes a Good Tennis Necklace?
If you’re reading this because you’re thinking of buying one (or dropping hints to someone who should), let me share a few things I’ve picked up from speaking with jewellers.
Clarity and Colour Matter — But Not as Much as You Think
You don’t need flawless stones in a tennis necklace to get a stunning effect. In fact, the brilliance comes from the collective sparkle, not the perfection of any single stone.
That said, most jewellers recommend sticking around the “near-colourless” range if you want that crisp white shimmer.
The Setting Creates the Character
Prong-set necklaces offer maximum sparkle because more light hits each stone.
Bezel settings feel modern and slightly more substantial.
Channel settings create a seamless ribbon of light.
There’s no “right” choice — it’s more about personality and lifestyle.
Try It on Before You Commit
This is one of those pieces that looks completely different on your neck than it does in a jewellery tray.
Drop lengths, flexibility, width — they all matter.
If you can, try a few styles in person or at least ask for videos with real models. It makes a world of difference.
A Quick Note on Where to Look
Because people often ask where to actually explore these pieces, I’ll mention this as naturally as I can — since I genuinely found it helpful.
If you want to see a range of styles and get a feel for current designs, there’s a good guide to lab created diamond tennis necklaces here:
lab created diamond tennis necklaces
And if you’re curious about the broader world of lab grown stones, including some famously historic ones, there’s an interesting read here as well:
lab created diamonds
Both links offer different perspectives — one practical, one more storytelling — and together they give a pretty good snapshot of why lab-grown stones have become so mainstream.
How Tennis Necklaces Fit Into Australia’s Modern Jewellery Culture
Australia’s jewellery scene is a bit of a paradox.
On one end, we love our diamonds, opals, and precious metals. On the other, we have this strong cultural lean toward understatement and authenticity.
That’s why lab created diamond tennis necklaces have slipped so easily into our wardrobes. They feel luxurious but not loud. Sophisticated but not pretentious. Ethical without being preachy.
Trends come and go, but this shift feels more like a natural evolution of taste.
Day-to-Day Wear Is Becoming the Norm
Jewellers I’ve spoken with say customers now want pieces that “don’t need a special occasion.”
A necklace that goes from office to dinner to weekend with minimal fuss.
Tennis necklaces fit that brief perfectly, especially with lab-grown stones making them more reachable.
Australian Designers Are Getting Creative
I’ve noticed more local designers experimenting with coloured lab-grown stones — soft pinks, champagne tones, even fancy blues.
Paired with white diamonds, you get this almost watercolour effect.
And honestly? It’s gorgeous.
The Investment Question — Is It Worth It?
This one always sparks debate.
Traditionalists argue that mined stones hold value better over time. That’s true in some cases, particularly for rare, historically significant diamonds.
But for everyday jewellery lovers? The “investment” value is in what you actually get to wear.
A lab created diamond tennis necklace gives you beauty, durability, wearability, and a price point that lets you enjoy it without tiptoeing around it.
I’ve spoken with collectors who own both types — mined and lab-grown — and most will tell you:
“The value is in the piece you’ll reach for again and again.”
Why This All Matters More Than You’d Expect
I know it’s easy to dismiss jewellery as surface-level.
But the pieces we choose to wear — especially pieces as personal as a tennis necklace — often say something about who we are, or at least who we’re becoming.
A lab created diamond tennis necklace isn’t just a sparkly object.
It’s a symbol of how modern luxury is shifting:
- toward sustainability
- toward accessibility
- toward conscious beauty
- toward daily enjoyment instead of occasional display
It’s actually kind of lovely when you think about it like that.
Final Thoughts: A Necklace for the Present (and the Future)
If you’d told me a few years ago that lab created diamonds would reshape the jewellery industry, I probably would’ve smiled politely and moved on. But after seeing how deeply they’ve resonated with Australians — and how stunning the pieces have become — I’m convinced they’re not just here to stay. They’re here to lead.
A tennis necklace, whether worn with a silk gown or a simple white tee, has this way of making you stand a bit taller. It’s a quiet confidence piece.
