Sparkle and Sport!

The goal in sportsmanship is not simply to win, but to pursue success with honour by giving your best effort. I've been giving this a lot of thought just recently. Read on for lots of sportsmanlike behaviour and jewellery of course! 

 Being a great sportswoman has always been really important to me.  Until the pandemic, I played netball every week for over 20 years and loved it, I'm even in the Guinness Book of World Records for my netball! I loved the companionship from my team mates, I loved the exercise and I loved the competition.  I've always been a keen runner, using that time and space to clear my head and enjoy being outside in whatever the weather.  I ran the London Marathon in 2021 and still am impressed by what my body can actually do, but a bad case of plantar fasciitis at the moment means I haven't run for over a month and I really miss it, so I've swapped running for other workouts, swimming and cycling.  I've always challenged myself exercise wise and been fairly tenacious in whatever I have put my mind to.

I've got a couple of really big things on the horizon, which I am excited about and am bursting to share with you, but to which I have to bring my best game. 

In 2022, Formula 1 established a total ban on the wearing of jewellery underneath suits.  Its something to do with jewellery not being fireproof. Lewis Hamilton has flatly refused to comply - famous for a multitude of piercings, he says, “I feel like they are personal things. You should be able to be who you are.”

But jewellery and sport seem to be indellibly linked.  I am fascinated by the tennis stars and their choice of jewellery.  Have you heard about how the tennis bracelet was named?  Chris Evert was serving up against Martina Navratilova in 1978 when as she served, her diamond bracelet flew off her wrist.  She asked for the game to be stopped so that she could look on the ground and find her diamonds! Her bracelet style was renamed as the tennis bracelet.  In fact, if you want to be uber cool at the moment, you should be wearing a tennis necklace, nostalgia is a vital part of the story of your jewellery- you heard it here after Vogue Magazine!  

In American football, winning the Super Bowl is the pinnacle of success, and the championship rings awarded to the victors are a blend of sports achievement and exquisite jewelry. These rings are often encrusted with diamonds and other precious stones, with designs that commemorate the team's journey to the championship. For example, the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl LI rings have 283 diamonds, symbolizing their historic comeback from a 28-3 deficit to win the game. It is worth £800,000. Imagine wearing something worth that much? But also imagine winning a tournament like that! 

Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest soccer players of all time, has a well-documented love for luxury watches. In 2018, he was spotted wearing a Franck Muller watch worth approximately $1.5 million. The watch, encrusted with hundreds of diamonds, not only showcased his wealth but also his appreciation for fine craftsmanship. Ronaldo’s collection of high-end timepieces is a testament to his success and his taste for opulence. I'm not sure I would dare wear a watch worth that much, would you?

At the 1960 Rome Olympics, American boxer Cassius Clay (who would later become Muhammad Ali) famously wore a gold ring while competing. His choice of jewelry sparked a lot of attention and debate. It wasn’t just a fashion statement; it highlighted his confident personality and his belief in his own invincibility. His ring became a symbol of his persona and his legendary status in boxing and beyond.

In the world of sports, jewellery is often used as a unique expression of personal style and triumph. From Serena Williams' diamond-studded watch adding elegance to her fierce on-court presence, to Lewis Hamilton and his defiance to remove his earrings, athletes seamlessly blend luxury with athletic prowess. Even historical figures like Muhammad Ali used jewellery, such as his gold ring during the 1960 Rome Olympics, to showcase his confidence and charisma. Occasionally, the practicality of wearing jewellery in competition, like Rebecca Adlington's earrings during the 2012 London Olympics, sparks debate.

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What are your thoughts on athletes using jewellery to express their style and celebrate their achievements? Drop me an email and let me know, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

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