An eternity ring is meant to be a sign of everlasting love. There’s something about a ring, a neatly closed circle, that perfectly symbolises the endless nature of true love, in much the same way as an image of a snake swallowing its own tail (known as the Ouroboros), the Tibetan Buddhist ‘endless knot’ and the infinity synmbol itself symbolise ‘forever’.
This week we’re looking at the eternity ring, its history, the right time to buy one and anything else we can dig up about a diamond ring style that’s as popular as ever.
A good eternity ring definition
First, here’s what Wikipedia says:
“An eternity ring , also know as an infinity ring, is a lady’s ring, worn on the hand, comprising a band of precious metal (usually gold) set with a continuous line of identically cut gemstones (usually diamonds) to symbolize never-ending love, usually given by a husband to his wife on the occasion of a significant anniversary, typically 50 years after marriage.
Because the presence of stones all the way round the eternity ring can make it cumbersome to wear, the alternative is to have the stones across the face of the ring only. This is sometimes referred to as a “half-eternity” ring rather than a “full” eternity ring.”
What about same sex partnerships and marriages?
These days, with old traditions thrown out and a whole new bunch of new ways of loving and living going mainstream, there’s no reason why you can’t buy your same-sex husband or wife an eternity ring. Or your ‘long term live-in partner’… whatever you want to call the one you love!
Let’s go a bit further – there’s no reason why you can’t treat anyone you like to a beautiful diamond eternity ring, at any stage in your relationship. After all, eternity isn’t just for lovers. It’s for anyone who feels strongly about someone else and wants them around forever, whether it’s your best friend, a favourite relative, even your mum. Power to the people!
Where did the eternity ring tradition spring from?
It would be lovely to say the tradition of giving a ‘forever ring’ was born of pure romance, a natural gesture that grew and grew. Sadly, it isn’t. According to many, it’s another marketing triumph from the diamond merchant De Beers, who ‘invented’ the concept in the 1960s.
The prevailing trend at the time was for engagement rings set with a single, large diamond. But De Beers’ main supplier, the USSR, exported lotsb of little stones, often less than a quarter of a carat each.
De Beers started promoting jewellery including lots of small diamonds in an effort to prevent stockpiles of smaller gems, and avoid the drop in price that too much supply always brings.
The eternity ring was aimed slap, bang at older, married women, with the slogan “She married you for richer or poorer. Let her know how it’s going.” It wouldn’t wash today but back then it caught the public’s imagination.
On the other hand some experts feel eternity rings first appeared as long as 4000 years ago in Ur. And they probably did, in an ancient form that relied more on the symbolism of the full circle than anything to do with marriage and modern romance.
But there’s more. How about this, found on the diamondstore site?
“In Old Egyptian hieroglyphics dating back to around 2000-1800 BC, the circle was a powerful symbol that represented eternity. The Egyptians also believed that the bond of marriage between a man a woman was so strong it could not be interrupted by death. When these two concepts were brought together, the ring was invented as a symbolic way to represent a union between two people. In ancient Egyptian tombs, archaeologists have found simple rings made from carved bone or beads, as well as elaborate metal and gemstone bands.”
It looks like the jury is out on the origin of eternity bands, unless you know better?
What about other precious stones?
Depending on where in the world you live, a traditional eternity ring can contain rubies, sapphires, amethyst, quartz and even zircon, all of which symbolise love and loyalty.
Fancy Sapphires – Available in a variety of colours.
Occasions when an eternity ring is the perfect gift
We’ve covered wedding anniversaries. The diamond anniversary is probably still the most popular occasoin to give a forever ring. But there’s also a strong and growing trend for giving an eternity ring to symbolise the birth of a child or even a grandchild.
Mums sometimes give eternity bands to their daughters on important occasions, 18th and 21st birthdays, even graduations, for no other reason than to say, “congratulations’ or “I love you”.
One of our Full-Set Diamond Rings
Half eternity versus a full eternity ring
It might seem strange to give someone a ring that symbolises half eternity, half-set with sparklies with the rest of the shank left plain. But these days women work in construction and medicine, as techers and gardeners and mechanics. And a half-eternity ring is often the most practical style, more comfortable on the finger when you’re working.
A lot of modern half eternity rings have a raised head, a contemporary departure from the traditional wedding ring-inspired design. In fact there’s a trend for diamond-set wedding rings too, closely related in style to the traditional eternity ring.
Are they usually a claw or a flush setting?
Until recently, in Britain we used to prefer claw settings. But fixing the diamonds into the shank using a grain, pave or flush setting is the contemporary way, often more practical, safer and easier to wear.
Princess cut and emerald cut diamonds are the most popular, with their square or rectangular shape, compact and often harder-wearing than round cut diamonds.
Channel and rub-over settings are particularly secure as well as elegant and contemporary. Round and pave cut diamonds are more sparkly but at the same time not as robust in an eternity setting.
Sizing for a ‘forever’ ring
Because it’s set round with diamonds, it’s very difficult to adjust an eternity band. They’re usually custom-made, which adds to their special appeal. On the other hand it’s relatively easy to ‘size’ a half eternity ring simply by reducing the un-set shank.
Which finger is an eternity ring worn on?
In this country we wear eternity bands on the third finger of the left hand, the same hand as the wedding band. But what if you’re already wearing an engagement and wedding ring?
There isn’t a strict protocol, it’s entirely up to you. You might choose to wear yours on the third finger of your right hand instead, or on the middle finger of your left hand.
Want to talk about eternity rings?
Try our expert LiveChat service if you need support and advice. Otherwise check out our gorgeous choice of diamond eternity rings, available in a wide range of precious metals and styles.
- Platinum 950 and Palladium 950 eternity rings
- 9 carat white or yellow gold
- 18 carat white or yellow gold
- full or half eternity