Eternity rings have been growing in popularity as one of the top choices for wedding and anniversary bands. They’re also ideal as meaningful gifts for a special occasion or to mark a major milestone in life.
It’s a meaningful ring design that can be styled up or down to go with any outfit. However, with so much information out there, how do you drown the noise and pick the right eternity band for you?
We’ve got you covered in our detailed guide on eternity rings, their pros and cons and how to buy them.
What is an Eternity Ring?
Also called infinity rings, an eternity ring is a metal band set with gemstones either completely or partially around its circumference. There is no indication of where the ring starts or ends – hence the reference to eternity or infinity.
The most popular variety of eternity bands feature diamonds, but gemstone eternity bands are also becoming increasingly popular. Eternity rings are a highly versatile jewelry style and can be worn to suit a range of styles and occasions.
Meaning of an Eternity Ring
Part of what makes an eternity ring so highly sought after is the meaning that it imbues. It’s a highly symbolic ring design and ideal to represent important milestones in your life.
The circle of the ring represents eternity, completion, perfection, eternal love and equality. The gemstone used for the ring adds another layer of meaning to the design. If we’re talking about diamonds, these represent integrity, strength, purity, trust and love. Overall, the ring represents eternal love and commitment to each other.
History of Eternity Rings
The tradition of giving a ring to symbolize loyalty, love and commitment goes back as far as the Ancient Egyptian times, when rings made of reed were exchanged to symbolize a couple coming together as one. This tradition continued into the Roman times and from there spread to the Western world.
However, the eternity ring with its symbolism and diamonds, are a much more recent invention that began in the 1960s and don’t have a very romantic origin. It was the brainchild of the diamond retailer De Beers, who were looking for a way to sell their supply of small diamonds. Because at the time rings with a single large solitaire diamond was in style, De Beers had to find a way to make small diamonds appear appealing.
They created the eternity ring as the next best thing in diamond jewelry, extolled its virtues as a meaningful ring and the ideal gift for a married woman.
Throughout the 20th century, the De Beers corporation have been marketing geniuses, and it’s thanks to them that diamonds have become the number one stone for engagement and wedding bands.
Why Wear an Eternity Ring?
Although eternity rings were originally created for married women, today these rings have a wide fan base and are worn by all age groups. Men’s eternity rings are also a trending style, perfect for the man who wants a little bling on his ring. Here are some of the best occasions for an eternity ring:
· Wedding Ring – Eternity rings are most popular as wedding rings, worn by the bride to symbolize her marriage.
· Wedding Gift – These rings make for a special wedding gift to the bride, from a close friend or family member. It can even be given as a gift by the groom.
· Promise Ring – The symbolism of eternity rings is perfect as a promise ring and can be given to romantic partner as a symbol of commitment.
· Wedding Anniversary – As an anniversary gift, eternity rings indicate that your love and commitment is still going strong. It’s also perfect to add to a stack of wedding rings.
· New Mom Gift – This is a precious gift to give a new mom either by the spouse or a close family member, symbolizing a new journey.
· Special Occasion – Eternity rings don’t have to be just about you and someone else. It can represent a commitment to yourself and your values, to mark your independence and strength.
Cons of Eternity Rings
We’ve spoken a lot about the pros of eternity rings and how to buy them. But what about the downsides of these stones?
· Can’t be resized – One main issue with full eternity rings is that they can’t be resized. As finger sizes change over time, this may become an issue down the track. One way to circumvent this is to choose a half eternity ring.
· Hard to clean – Because there are so many little grooves, nooks and crannies in an eternity ring, dirt is bound to get lodged in these hidden, hard to reach areas. Cleaning an eternity ring can get difficult and take time. However, this largely depends on the specific setting type. For example, bezel set eternity rings are much easier to clean than micro pave ones.
· Diamonds can get dislodged – For eternity ring settings with prongs, there’s the chance that the diamond could get dislodged or loose, as the prong tips wear down. Take your ring to your jeweler for a periodic check up to ensure that all the diamonds are securely held in position.
· Expensive – Crafting an eternity ring takes longer than a plain metal band. This, coupled with the cost of diamonds or gemstones, can make eternity bands an expensive ring setting.
Post time: May-04-2023