Jewellery is a gift of commitment, of love, of investing time and emotion in a person and a relationship.
An engagement ring or diamond wedding band is perhaps the first type of jewellery that springs to mind when life-long commitment is mentioned. However, the symbolism of the eternity ring comes a very close second.
What is an eternity ring?
An eternity ring is a band of precious metal with a line of cut stones set into it. The gemstones are usually identical in cut, size and colour, and diamonds are the traditional choice.
However, some variations feature coloured stones such as sapphires, rubies or emeralds, often alternating with the diamonds. The stones can be cut into many different shapes so long as they match the others on the band.
What are the origins of the eternity ring?
Rings have been given as gifts for thousands of years to symbolise eternal commitment; the circle being representative of endless love. The sentiment of an everlasting bond is where the concept of the eternity ring originates.
The first of these types of commitment rings often featured the ouroboros, a snake eating its own tail, which was a symbol of infinity and eternal life. In fact, Queen Victoria’s engagement ring was a gem-encrusted gold snake.
At the time, rings with precious stones were only affordable for royalty and nobility; the lower classes made do with plainer rings. In the 18th century, keeper rings became popular with both the wealthy and middle classes.
They were designed to hold the more precious wedding ring or engagement ring in place on the finger. In some cases, they were used as anniversary gifts or for the birth of a child.
They were made of precious metal such as silver or gold and often featured a woven or filigree pattern featuring spheres or paste gems rather than precious stones. The design is thought to have inspired the current eternity rings seen today.
After the jewellery market experienced an influx of cheaper, uncut diamonds in the 1960s, and thanks to a De Beers marketing campaign, more couples began choosing diamonds.
This popularity led, in part, to the continuous circle of diamonds you can see on a modern eternity ring.
What occasions are eternity rings suited for?
While a traditional engagement ring of a single large diamond is ideally suited for popping the question, the eternity ring is a far more versatile gift.
Wedding anniversaries
Diamonds are the modern gift for a tenth wedding anniversary and decidedly more exciting than the traditional gift of tin. Surprise your spouse with something dazzling to stack alongside a wedding band and engagement ring.
Big birthdays
A diamond eternity ring is a surprise birthday gift to remember. Or to go the extra mile, arrange a bespoke ring that mixes clear diamonds with your spouse’s birthstone.
Birth of a child
Celebrate the emotional journey of bringing a child into the world by gifting an eternity ring.
An alternative engagement ring
Sometimes a big rock on your finger does not suit the occasion or the workplace. An eternity band, while still glinting in the light with diamonds, can provide a more subtle alternative.
Marilyn Monroe’s engagement ring from Joe DiMaggio is a legendary example of an eternity ring used to propose and double as a diamond wedding band.
It was definitely not subtle, though; sporting 36 baguette-cut diamonds set in platinum, the ring was guaranteed to catch the spotlight.
What are the different styles of eternity ring?
The choice of different options for a bespoke ring design is almost limitless. You can choose the colour of the band, the stone and the settings. Then you will need to choose the shape and the cut, from rectangular emerald to round brilliant cuts, to princess or Asscher.
Full versus half eternity rings
The more traditional eternity ring has an unbroken band of precious stones that encircles the finger; however, that is not always a practical choice. A half eternity ring has a row of gemstones on just the top of the ring and leaves the rest of the band plain.
The half eternity ring can also be a more comfortable option than a full eternity ring where the gems are set all the way around.
Patterns
Use colour and shape patterns to create a piece of true statement jewellery. Princess of Wales Middleton regularly wears an eternity band featuring 19 sapphires and 19 diamonds, all brilliant-cut, set in an alternating bright white and blue pattern.
Mixing different shapes and sizes of stone can create a beautiful effect too. For example, round-cut stones alternating with marquise-shaped diamonds, or smaller diamonds clustered around larger coloured gemstones such as emeralds.
Double or multiple bands
An eternity ring does not have to be a single band of precious stones. The Victoria and Albert Museum Collection has several eternity rings for inspiration. Go for a more unique ring by adding a second band of stones, perhaps in a herringbone or chevron pattern.
Or opt for multiple bands of diamonds joined in a cuff of all-diamonds or with different coloured stones for each band. Or choose two overlapping bands of pave-set diamonds for a more dynamic choice.
With the help of Liam Ross Jewellery, you can give a bespoke eternity ring to be remembered forever.