Everyone has seen an eternity ring, and most people have heard of them, but what exactly are they? What do they represent, and when would be an appropriate time to gift one to a loved one? With so many questions surrounding the eternity ring, we thought it was time to dedicate a blog post to this beautiful and charming piece of jewellery.
What is an eternity ring?
An eternity ring is traditionally worn by a woman, either between her engagement and wedding ring or on a finger on the opposite hand, and can be identified by its band of precious metal (silver, gold or platinum) and often unbroken circle of stones — whether sparkly diamonds or colourful gemstones. Half eternity rings are also available and are equally pretty — often just a little less expensive due to there being less stones than a full eternity.
Precious stones are often set via one of three methods in an eternity ring — a channel setting, a claw setting, or a bar setting.
Channel setting
In a channel setting, the precious metal forms a channel on the outside of the diamonds or gems, on the edges of the ring. This is a popular choice due to the flush nature of the finished piece, meaning the stones are very secure and the ring will not be prone to snagging. The diamond cuts that work well with a channel setting are princess cut, round brilliant and baguette — in this setting they are really able to show off their natural sparkle.
Claw setting
For those who like to make a statement, a claw setting allows round brilliant diamonds to shine in an eternity ring like no other setting can. Held in place with a ‘claw’ of metal which continues up the side of the stone and slightly over the top of it, the amount of light entering your diamonds creates a simply breath-taking piece of jewellery.
Bar setting
A very modern take on the eternity ring, a bar setting equally places the stones with a bar of metal between them, perpendicular to the band of the ring. The bars are often as much a part of the ring as the diamonds or stones themselves and the finished look is a contemporary one, while offering additional light for diamonds.
The history of eternity rings
The earliest known examples of eternity rings date back to the Ancient Egyptians between 2000BC and 1800BC. Given as a token of love and commitment, they didn’t look as they do now — these early eternity rings were created from materials as varied as braided reeds, carved bone and metal, and were recognisable by the repeated patterns on the ring band — whether using carvings, gems, or beads. Some were plain bands featuring a stone, and others were truly intricate rings — some were even in the shape of a snake swallowing it’s own tail, as a true visual representation of eternity.
By the 18th century, gemstones set in metal were a very popular choice for eternity rings. In the 19th century, the focus switched to diamond eternity rings, and the diamond eternity ring is today still seen as the classic example.
Today, you can choose from a vast array of absolutely stunning rings — from an 18 carat gold eternity ring, to a princess cut eternity ring, a platinum eternity ring, and more.
What does an eternity ring symbolise?
An eternity ring is a symbol of commitment and everlasting love. The ring shape itself is an unbroken circle, which perfectly represents the idea of something being eternal. The eternity ring also represents the continuation of life, which lends itself well to one of the main reasons for gifting, below.
When should you gift an eternity ring?
An eternity ring is usually gifted within a romantic relationship to represent a milestone of some sort — a special wedding anniversary or the birth of a first child are popular occasions for the giving of a gold or platinum eternity ring, for example. However, they are also sometimes given ‘just because’, too.
Explore our range of eternity rings today and surprise your girlfriend or wife. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, get in touch, as we can create a bespoke ring just for you. We also offer eternity rings finance for those who would prefer to spread the cost.