What makes a chain a tennis chain

Not the stones on their own. A tennis chain is defined by continuity: one line of identical stones at identical spacing, running the entire circumference with nothing interrupting it. No pendant, no centre stone, no plain section hiding at the back of the neck where nobody looks. That last part is where cheap versions cut cost, leaving a bare chain across the nape, and it is the first thing to check on any tennis chain before you buy it.

Why 4mm and not wider

Tennis chains run from about 3mm to well past 10mm, and the width decides what the piece is for. Above 6mm it becomes a statement worn on its own terms, over a t-shirt, at night. At 4mm it does something more useful: it is visible from across a table, it sits under a shirt collar without pushing the fabric open, and it does not compete with a watch. This is the width you buy if you want one tennis chain rather than an occasion piece.

Stainless steel is the whole argument

At this price most tennis chains are plated brass or zinc alloy. Plating is a coating measured in microns, and it wears through exactly where a chain gets handled: the clasp, and the run across the back of the neck. Once it goes, the base metal underneath oxidises and marks the skin. Stainless steel has nothing to wear through. The colour you buy is the colour of the metal itself, all the way through, and it stays that colour for as long as you own it.

20 inches or 24 inches

Length is the only decision here, and the two lengths do genuinely different things. 20 inches lands at the collarbone. It shows above a crew neck and reads as jewelry rather than as a statement, which is the traditional way a tennis chain is worn. 24 inches falls to mid-chest. It sits over a t-shirt, frames an open collar, and gives room to layer a second chain above it. If you are unsure and the chain will be your only one, take 20 inches.

Where the name came from

The style was called an eternity or line design until the 1987 US Open, when American player Chris Evert's diamond line bracelet came off mid-match and play was paused while she recovered it. Press coverage renamed the bracelet, and the chain built on the same principle took the name with it. What the incident actually exposed was a clasp failure, which is why the closure is worth as much attention as the stones.

The matching pieces

The same construction runs through the Caligio tennis bracelets in sterling silver, at 3mm for layering and 4mm worn alone. A 4mm chain and a 4mm bracelet read as a set without looking matched, because the proportion carries across but the wrist and the neck are seen separately.

Designed in Los Angeles since 2020. Ships gift-boxed.

Stainless steel needs almost nothing

The chain will not tarnish, will not rust, and will not turn the skin green. Its chromium content forms a self-repairing oxide layer, which is the reason the same alloy family is used for surgical tools. There is no plating anywhere on it, so there is nothing that can wear off at the clasp or across the back of the neck, which is where every plated chain fails first.

The stones are what need the attention

A tennis chain looks tired for one reason, and it is not scratches. Body oil, sweat, and soap film collect underneath the settings, where light is meant to enter the stone from below. Wiping the underside of the line with a dry lint-free cloth restores most of the sparkle people assume is gone for good. Doing that once a week is the entire maintenance routine.

Water

Rain, sweat, and a rinse under the tap do nothing to the steel. Chlorine is the one thing worth avoiding: pool water leaves a film that dulls cubic zirconia faster than anything else, so take the chain off before swimming. Soap does the same more slowly, which is why the shower is worth skipping too.

Care

• Put it on last, after cologne and any skincare, and take it off first at the end of the day.
• Wipe the underside of the stone line with a dry lint-free cloth about once a week.
• Rinse under clean water when it needs it, then dry it fully with a soft cloth.
• Take it off before swimming. Chlorine dulls the stones.
• Avoid abrasive pastes and ultrasonic cleaners, which can loosen individual settings.
• Store it flat in the Caligio pouch bag rather than loose in a drawer, where a chain tangles and the stone line catches on other pieces.
• Close the clasp before storing so the chain cannot knot on itself.

To define the correct sizing of your wrist, we highly recommend using a tape measure and measuring the circumference of your wrist just above the hand. However, if you do not have a special measure, use a small piece of tape or a cord. Wrap it around your wrist and measure the length against a ruler.

Need XL? Check our XL Collection

Plenty of Caligio’s Cuff bracelets are adjustable and comfortably fit most of the standard wrist sizes. Slip-on cuff bracelets sizes are easily increased and decreased with bare hands. Keep in mind that the wrist size is not the same as the length of a bracelet. Still, need help? Email us at: support@caligio.com.

Calligio provides a FREE Standard Shipping delivery for all US orders above $50. International customers from countries/regions including Canada, United Kingdom, Europe and Australia get a free delivery starting from $150 orders.

Your orders are picked, packed, and shipped the same day from Los Angeles, California. The products ordered after 2PM PST are shipped the very next working day. The shipping department is on duty Monday through Saturday, excluding holidays.

Once your order has been processed, you will receive an email with your tracking number that allows you to check the order’s location. You have up to 2 hours after placing an order to request editing or canceling the order by writing to email support@caligio.com

Make sure to pick up your order in time to avoid any negative carry-outs after the product is delivered, as Caligio doesn’t take any responsibilities for orders after the status changes to Delivered. However, if you are worried about your orders getting wrongly delivered or stolen - opt for Standard Delivery + Priority Processing & Shipping Insurance for just $9.99 US only to secure a free replacement for all unreceived products.

Please note that the below-mentioned delivery timings are taken from the official websites of the delivery providers and may vary depending on the carriers delivery speed. International orders may be applicable for local taxes on top of the delivery costs.

Please note, sometimes delivery providers may come up with a shipment delay due to the restrictions issued by countries' governments in these challenging times. Therefore, there may be cases when the package arrives several days after you receive a delivery notification.

If you ordered the wrong size, color, or simply would like to return the product, you can do so within 30 days from the delivery date. To be eligible, the item must be unworn and in its original packaging, free from any odors (deodorant, perfume), stains, or signs of wear. The original gift box and velvet pouch must be included - returns without original packaging will not be accepted. Please note that a $9.99 shipping and handling fee applies to all domestic returns and will be deducted from the amount refunded.

Once your return is approved, please send the item(s) back within 7 days. 

For exchanges within the US, your first exchange is completely free and will be dispatched within 5 business days after we receive and inspect the item. Subsequent exchanges are at the customer's expense.

For international customers, returns and exchanges are handled on a case-by-case basis. Due to the complexity of international shipping, please contact us at support@caligio.com and our team will guide you through the process and find the best solution for you.

We do not process returns or refunds for final sale(special price) items, bundles, Buy 2 Get 1 Free offers, or promotional deals with discounts of 20% or more.

For any questions, contact us at support@caligio.com.