A Complete Guide to Eternity Rings

Eternity rings are one of the most romantic gifts you can give your partner. Also known as infinity rings, they are a symbol of eternal love and commitment and represent a love strong enough to last a lifetime.

Our guide will explain everything you need to know about Eternity Rings, before we help you pick the perfect one, including:

• What is an Eternity Ring?
• Eternity ring history
• How to wear an Eternity Ring
• When should you be given an Eternity Ring
• Eternity ring buying guide

What is an Eternity Ring?

An Eternity Ring is a symbol of everlasting love, made from gold, silver or platinum and can consist of either a full eternity ring, where the entire circumference of the ring is set with diamonds or gemstones. Or a half set eternity ring which features around 40-50% coverage of diamond or gemstones set on the band. 

Unlike an engagement ring which highlights a central stone and the start of your marital commitments with that big question down on one knee, an Eternity Ring represents your journey in life together. The eternity ring celebrates hitting big milestone anniversaries together, or it can be for the extension of your family on the date of your first born child and the next chapter of your lives together. The eternity ring is the perfect way to show your lifelong commitment to each other and the future of your relationship over the years growing together.

Eternity Ring history

    

For thousands of years, partners have exchanged Eternity Rings as symbols of their devotion to one another. Although, they haven’t always looked the way they do today. The earliest known versions date back over 4,000 years to Ancient Egyptian times, where rings made from bone, beads and glass often featured the Ouroboros - a snake biting its own tail, symbolising infinity and infinite love. 

In Roman times, rings were given as a token of fidelity, with bespoke designs and sentimental inscriptions used to emphasise the depth of love in their relationship, much like they are today. 

It has always been traditional for couples to exchange rings to show their commitment, but,  the Eternity Ring as we know it, didn’t come into prominence until the 1960s, when they were marketed as the perfect gift for married couples celebrating the next significant milestones in their relationships.

 

How to wear an Eternity Ring

Just like an engagement ring or wedding band, traditionally an Eternity Ring is worn on the ring finger of your left hand. If you are wearing your Eternity Ring on the same finger as your engagement and wedding ring, usually you would wear your rings in the following order

1. Wedding band: This ring is worn first so that it sits closest to your heart.
2. Engagement ring: Your engagement ring should be worn next to your wedding ring, especially if they are made as a set.
3. Eternity ring: As the newest addition, your Eternity Ring should fit comfortably on top of your engagement ring to complement and finish the set.

When choosing an Eternity Ring, you should match the metal of your wedding and engagement ring. Choosing a precious metal of a different hardness can impact its durability when worn together, as the harder wearing metal can wear away at the weaker metal. Choosing the same metal is usually more aesthetically pleasing when creating a full matching marital set. 

Depending on the size of your wedding and engagement rings, some people prefer to wear their Eternity Ring on their right hand or on a different finger to their wedding and engagement rings. There are no strict rules about how you wear your jewellery, so if it feels more comfortable to wear your Eternity Ring on a different finger - go for it!

When should you be given an Eternity Ring?

An Eternity Ring should represent a significant milestone in your relationship, and you don’t need to be already married to receive one, some couples choose to exchange Eternity Rings to symbolise commitment to one-another before or without needing to get married. It still symbolises your everlasting love in your own unique way.

Some of the most common reasons why Eternity Rings are given include;

• Milestone Anniversary: Diamonds are traditionally given for a 60th wedding anniversary, but Eternity Rings are also given to mark other significant anniversaries too, such as 10th or 25th anniversary. As a personal touch, you could also include other gemstones given as anniversary gifts, such as Sapphires and Rubies.
• Birth of your first child: Eternity rings are often given as a “Push Present” and can represent the start of your family circle growing. Many choose this option to gift for a first time mother and for extra special significance, why not include an engraving of the date and the child's name? Or have a mix of your child’s birthstone and diamonds set in the eternity ring to commemorate this special month.
• Vow renewal: Exchanging new rings for a reaffirmation of your vows can be a special way of celebrating a new chapter in your marriage.    
• Promise ring: Before the engagement ring the promise ring is sometimes given from one partner to another promising that one day they will put an engagement ring next to it, it was popular for partners who worked away or had to travel or were both too young at the time to get the engagement ring they wanted there and then. It was a beautiful way to confess their love and that they want to build a future together.
• To say “I love you”: An Eternity Ring doesn’t need to be given as a gift for a specific reason. It could just be a way to tell your partner how much you love them. 

Eternity Ring Buying Guide

Half-Set or Full-Set Eternity Ring?

The two most popular options of Eternity Ring are Full-Set and Half-Set. Both offer timeless elegance and radiance. However, the best choice for you or your partner, will largely come down to your lifestyle choices and preferences.

Feature	Full-Set Eternity Ring	Half-Set Eternity Ring
Gemstone Spread	Full coverage of diamonds or gemstones across the entire band	Diamonds or Gemstones cover the front half of the ring
Sparkle	As the ring is fully covered, it will sparkle from every angle	While still eye catching, the ring will only sparkle across the front half of the ring
Resizing	Cannot be resized	Can be resized if needed
Durability	Less practical for daily wear as the stones may rub or catch	More durable for daily wear as the stones only cross the top of the band
Comfort	Can feel bulkier on the finger	Easier to wear with a Wedding and Engagement Ring

If you’re struggling to choose between a Full-Set or Half-Set remember: 

• A Full-Set: Best for a bold statement piece that won’t need resizing in the future. 
• A Half-Set: Best for those who need more flexibility in sizing with an active lifestyle.    

Eternity ring settings for full and half settings

Pave, channel and prong are the three most popular settings for Eternity Rings. Choosing the perfect Eternity Ring setting is essential for showcasing the ring’s beauty and sparkle.

Pave

Derived from the French word for “Pavement” Pave is named after the way diamonds are set closely together across the band, creating a seamless, sparkling surface. Pave settings strike the perfect balance between a delicate yet sparkling appearance due to its light-catching design. 

It features smaller diamonds that are held in place by tiny claws and is an ideal choice to wear alongside a pave set engagement ring or wedding band. They also complement the statement of a solitaire engagement ring, adding that little more sparkle but not detracting the focus from one another.   

Channel

A channel-set Eternity Ring consists of a row of diamonds secured inside the band and held in place by the metal edges, for a smooth seamless appearance. The stones are neatly aligned and this allows the ring to sit comfortably against the majority of engagement rings and adds to its charm as the design exudes sophistication. 

Just like a Pave setting complements a Pave wedding set, a channel setting will match perfectly with a channel set wedding band or engagement ring. 

Channel settings are known for their durability and make a great choice for those with hands-on careers or for everyday wear. Making it both a practical and elegant choice.

Prong

A prong-set Eternity Ring features diamonds held above the band by tall prongs, this allows maximum light exposure for a brilliant shine and is a bold choice for an Eternity Ring. 

Prong set Eternity Rings work well when worn on their own, or pair well with various engagement ring styles, particularly if you’d prefer to wear rings of equal depth. 

How can Diamond Heaven help?

Ready to start shopping for that special gift that signifies your eternal love? Shop the range online today. Or, if you’re looking for a bit more help and advice, let us help you… our expert team is on hand to help you find the perfect gift. Book an appointment today.