When it comes to buying jewellery for the person you love, it’s easy to work out when you should buy an engagement ring or a wedding ring, for example. After all, there are defined occasions for which you need these pieces of jewellery.
But what about eternity rings? These are also considered symbols of your undying love, but when do you buy your partner an eternity ring? What kind of design should you look for in an eternity ring? And how do you wear an eternity ring?
Let’s start with the basics…
What is an eternity ring?
An eternity ring is typically a circular band that is either fully or half-set with a continuous row of precious stones. Usually the band is made of gold or platinum.
Not all eternity rings these days feature gemstones though. You can also work with a jeweller to design one that features a continuous pattern that runs all the way around the band.
The idea is that this pattern symbolises never-ending love and the circle of life. Interestingly, the earliest examples of this kind of jewellery come from Ancient Egypt, although the designs back then were quite different to modern-day eternity rings.
Many of the early Egyptian versions of this piece of jewellery feature what’s called an ouroboros design – which means it’s a band designed to look like a serpent devouring its own tail. It’s believed this depiction is a way of showing the cyclical nature of life.
In more modern times, eternity rings have taken on designs centred around the gemstones that run around the band.
When should you give someone an eternity ring?
There is no set occasion on which to give your loved one an eternity ring. Although they were traditionally worn by women – and therefore often gifted by husbands – both men and women now wear eternity rings.
For most couples, an eternity ring is the perfect gift to mark a significant milestone in their relationship, whether it’s a wedding anniversary, the birth of a child or another momentous occasion.
In fact, eternity rings can be given at any time to symbolise never-ending love and commitment, which makes them a fantastic gift if you want to show your partner how much you care about them.
What gemstones can feature in an eternity ring?
There are no set rules about the gemstones you can include on an eternity ring. Of course, diamonds feature heavily in many eternity ring designs because of their durability, value and association with love.
In many ways, the symbolism makes sense – you’re giving someone a ring to symbolise your eternal love, so you want to include stones that can last forever too. Diamonds are certainly a good choice, because of their durability.
When eternity rings experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 1960s, they were often sold as a way to protect your wedding band. This is why for many, diamonds are the ultimate gemstone for an eternity ring.
But, of course, the beauty of this kind of gift is that you can customise it to suit your partner’s preferences if you choose to design bespoke jewellery in Edinburgh.
Popular eternity ring designs include alternating diamonds with other stones, such as sapphires rubies, or emeralds, to bring some colour to the band. If you are designing your own eternity ring, you can dispense with diamonds completely if you would prefer.
The most important consideration when designing an eternity ring is the person who will be wearing it. Think about what gemstones they like to wear, perhaps what their birthstone is, or even what their favourite colour is.
Your jewellery designer will be able to advise you about designs that make the most of whatever stone you choose.
How do you wear an eternity ring?
Many people wear their eternity rings alongside their wedding bands. In fact, these rings were originally marketed as a way of protecting your wedding band, so they are designed to sit alongside other meaningful pieces of jewellery.
That means many people choose to wear their eternity ring on top of their engagement and wedding ring. However, there is no hard-and-fast rule about where you should wear your eternity ring.
It is perfectly acceptable to wear an eternity ring on the third finger on your right hand if you would prefer. Other people choose to keep their eternity rings for special occasions.
If you’re unsure which finger and hand your partner would prefer to wear an eternity ring on, it’s best to check with them before you commit to a design. This is to ensure that the ring is sized properly.
But if you are keen to keep your gift a surprise, you may want to choose a half-set eternity ring as these are typically easier to resize than full-set eternity rings.