Eternity Rings: Meaning, Types, Quality and Size Determination
Eternity bands or perhaps eternity rings are one of the hot topics among women. If you have been looking for eternity bands on the internet and have wasted your hours, and now you feel guilty about it, you shouldn’t because you are not alone. Not only the ones who are married are looking for the perfect one, but also the ones who are about to get married are looking for an eternity band.
Yes, you heard me right; people do consider an eternity band or perhaps a diamond eternity band to replace the traditional diamond ring. So if you have been looking for one for yourself or perhaps are hinting to your significant other to buy you one, or maybe you are the husband and were looking for different types of eternity bands for her, you’ve come to the right place.
Continue reading, and we will guide you through every step of purchasing an eternity ring. We will tell you everything you need to know before making an informed decision.
After all, there are hundreds of options, so, naturally, one will be confused about what type of ring will be best suited for them and what matches their style. And most importantly, what fits according to their skin tone.
The history of eternity rings stretches back thousands of years, and it’s fascinating to see how this timeless design has endured. Even ancient Greeks and Egyptians had similar styles of rings, revealing the enduring elegance and simplicity of this concept.
In the 1960s, eternity rings made a resurgence in popularity. This was partly due to the symbolism of diamonds representing love. Jewelry companies were eager to find ways to appeal to a broad audience, including married couples.
During this era, the idea of an eternity ring gained traction as a meaningful symbol of lasting love. Eternity rings, at that time, became the third most sought-after type of ring in the market, trailing behind wedding and engagement rings. This shows the enduring appeal of these rings as a token of enduring love.
What Are Eternity Bands?
An eternity ring is also called an infinity ring because it comprises diamonds surrounding the metal ring from every angle. Its loop design and consisting of diamonds everywhere signifies the couple’s never-ending love for each other.
The eternity band is covered with diamonds all around, giving the ring extra shine and sparkle. There are alternatives to that, a ring consisting of diamonds just on the face of the ring, which are known as half eternity rings.
An eternity band is nowadays one of the most famous jewelry pieces. These rings are also among the most demanded rings among soon-to-be-married brides. It’s not like people didn’t know about them before.
Diamond eternity bands have been one of the most popular gifts that couples give to each other over time. However, the difference was that it used to be given when the married couple had crossed a significant milestone in their life. Husbands were the ones usually buying an eternity ring for women. But the trend has significantly changed.
Now the eternity band has also become an eternity wedding band and is usually worn by brides who want to have an unconventional look to themselves.
If you ask us, it is a worthy purchase. Still, the one thing that becomes a problem for everyone is walking into the jewelry shop without knowing which ring to buy.
We know that it can be pretty overwhelming to see all those cuts and designs and the thought that you get to choose only one of them.
And for that reason, you should read this whole article to ensure that you don’t make a mistake while making one of the most significant purchases in your life.
History of Eternity Ring
The history of eternity rings stretches back thousands of years, and it’s fascinating to see how this timeless design has endured. Even ancient Greeks and Egyptians had similar styles of rings, revealing the enduring elegance and simplicity of this concept.
In the 1960s, eternity rings made a resurgence in popularity. This was partly due to the symbolism of diamonds representing love. Jewelry companies were eager to find ways to appeal to a broad audience, including married couples.
During this era, the idea of an eternity ring gained traction as a meaningful symbol of lasting love. Eternity rings, at that time, became the third most sought-after type of ring in the market, trailing behind wedding and engagement rings. This shows the enduring appeal of these rings as a token of enduring love.
Determining the Quality of An Eternity Ring
Primarily there are three crucial aspects to consider before buying an eternity ring. One of the most important is the diamond. The second aspect is the setting it is fitted upon. And the third factor is the type of metal used in making those eternity wedding bands.
Eternity Ring Diamonds
The diamonds used in diamond eternity rings are far smaller than the gemstones used in a traditional engagement ring.
In fact, these diamonds are so much smaller than the ones used in an engagement ring that it is almost impossible to have them graded and certified.
It’s economically impossible to get them the certification of the diamonds like a big center stone engagement ring.
If we were to give you an example, a 14 diamond typical eternity ring would cost you about a thousand dollars to have certified, which will inflate the price of the eternity ring manyfold.
It will make the diamond eternity rings far less affordable than in current conditions, which will result in reducing the demand for the highly popular eternity bands. So we should leave things the way they are.
On the downside, it means there is no way to ensure that the diamonds in your eternity band are genuine and authentic.
This means you should avoid buying eternity bands for women from unknown jewelers new to the market and only trust jewelers who have been dealing with rings for a long time.
Or perhaps if someone you know has bought one from a renowned jeweler and the rings are authentic, you can also choose that option.
“We at Loose Grown Diamonds offer the best in class diamond eternity rings of all sorts. We have been selling diamonds for decades now and would love to help you out. Have a look at our collection to make a selection”
So you might ask, if getting the diamonds certified didn’t take any money, then what are we paying for, besides the metal in it? The answer to that is craftsmanship. Most of what you pay goes behind the work it took to forge that ring into existence.
The work put behind making the ring is what inflates its price. After all, it makes a great deal of difference to the style and overall look of the ring, depending on how the ring has been crafted and how they infused the diamonds in it.
For example, the amount of time and care a good jeweler will invest in it will be the deciding factor when setting up the ring’s price. If the ring has been made with a custom design in mind, then the cost of that ring may increase.
While checking the diamonds for yourself, look out for the level of brilliance in them, meaning the amount of sparkle and white light the diamond reflects. You should also make sure that the diamond is eye clean, meaning that you do not see any blemishes, and the diamond does not produce glares.
The next most important thing will be the setting. A diamond eternity ring with a yellow gold setting will pop out more when compared to the white gold setting.
The Background Setting of the Eternity Ring
If you already have an existing ring and want to combine it with an eternity band you should make sure it suits the style of the band. Eternity rings usually come with four designs: prong, channel, bezels, and flush.
You should make sure that the style of your traditional diamond ring or perhaps some other ring matches one of these four styles. Most jewelers prefer to use the prong style for their eternity rings. The prong configuration lets more light reach the diamond, enhancing its overall brilliance.
Eternity Rings Metals
There is no excellent or perfect metal to use with an eternity band. Instead, which one do you want to choose? The choice is preference-based. If you like yellow gold as the background setting, you should go for it.
If you like white gold with your setting, you should go with white gold as your background setting. There is no “best” material for an eternity band. The four options you have are platinum, yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold.
Whatever suits your preference you can go with it. But do mind your skin color because that tends to make a lot of difference when selecting a background setting.
Also Read: Platinum vs Gold: What Metal Would Be the Best Choice for Your Engagement Ring?
An eternity band for women is usually a piece of daily wear jewelry, so it must be durable. But you don’t have to take things in your hand for that. The metals used to forge them are generally 14 to 18 karat gold, which tends to be more than durable enough.
How Many Types of Eternity Rings Are There?
Eternity Rings are rings/bands that are contemporary and complementary rings that are typically worn with other rings. Eternity rings have evolved over centuries, and people have shown creativity when styling this band in popularity.
Commonly, there are two different types of rings:
- Full Eternity Ring: The band is covered fully with tiny diamonds/gemstones.
- Half Eternity Ring: Unlike the Full Eternity Ring, Half Eternity Ring is surrounded by tiny diamonds halfway.
Which Finger Should You Wear an Eternity Ring On?
Understanding how to wear an eternity ring is a matter of personal preference, and only you can determine what is appropriate for you. You can wear an eternity ring on any finger you want. But if we talk about what has been happening traditionally. Then, people used to wear an eternity ring on the same finger as the ring finger.
And suppose you like to do things according to the traditions. In that case, we recommend choosing an eternity ring with such a setting that compliments your engagement ring and adds an extra unique look to your or your partner’s ring.
If you have a large engagement ring and are worried that your eternity ring might get belittled in front of your engagement ring. Then you can consider wearing it on your right-hand ring finger.
Traditionally it is considered that you should wear your engagement ring on your ring finger, thus having it close to your heart. After that comes your wedding band, and when you wear your eternity ring.
Although this is what has been considered by traditional people to be the proper order, you are not obliged to follow that. It is usual for brides to wear the eternity ring however they want to.
So if you don’t like 3 rings weighing your finger down, do whatever you deem comfortable.
How to Determine Sizing for An Eternity Band?
Correct sizing of an eternity band is crucial since, most probably, you will stack it with your other rings. If the sizing of the ring goes wrong, then (talking to the husband) the eternity ring for her will be of no use.
Since it isn’t a type of ring that can be resized. An eternity ring is surrounded evenly with diamonds. If resizing is attempted, its design will be ruined. And if it cannot be resized, it will be very uncomfortable to wear it.
That means she will not wear the eternity ring you got for her very often, which defeats the whole purpose of the ring.
So do not make that mistake. Go to your nearest jeweler and get your fingers measured accurately, or you can check out Loose Grown Diamond’s specialized “Diamond Size Chart” for measuring diamond sizes and the “Ring Size Chart” for measuring ring sizes.
Although you should keep in mind that the size of an eternity ring is likely not to be changed, follow our sizing recommendations to avoid such mistakes.
Eternity Ring as An Engagement Ring
Can eternity rings be used as engagement rings? The answer is yes; they can. Although not long before, people didn’t consider eternity rings as a replacement for a traditional engagement ring with a diamond at its center.
But that mentality is changing rapidly. A tremendous amount of the crowd chooses eternity rings to be their engagement ring. It is also not uncommon for couples to propose with an eternity ring and then decide on a traditional style diamond/gemstone at the center type of engagement ring.
It all boils down to what you want to do. If you wish to use eternity rings as your engagement ring, you are free to do that. Don’t let traditions stop you from doing what you want to do.
So, if you think that your partner will prefer an eternity ring instead of a traditional engagement ring, you should do that.
And with all these new designs sprouting now and then to make the eternity ring an acceptable replacement for the diamond ring, nothing is stopping you.
Stacking with Engagement and Wedding Rings
- Wedding Ring
- Often considered the most important ring, representing commitment to marriage.
- Typically worn at the base of the left ring finger, closest to the heart.
- Engagement Ring
- Usually stacked above the wedding ring on the left ring finger.
- Eternity Band
- Stacked closest to the knuckle or over the wedding ring.
- Feel free to experiment with different stacking orders for comfort and aesthetics.
- Right-Hand Ring Finger
- An elegant alternative for displaying your eternity ring.
- Offers a stylish, non-stacked look.
- Right-hand finger embodies tradition, beauty, and romance.
- Also used for promise rings, infinity rings, and Claddagh rings.
- Middle Finger
- Less common but impactful choice for wearing an eternity ring.
- The middle finger’s central position makes it suitable for a statement piece.
- Ideal for drawing attention and showcasing your ring’s beauty.
- As a Promise Ring
- Eternity rings are not limited to married couples.
- Represents never-ending love, making it suitable for any romantic relationship.
- Wear it on the left-hand ring finger as a promise ring, even if not married yet.
- Alternatively, wear it as a necklace for comfort and style.
- Wearing Orientation
- Ensure proper orientation for half-eternity rings with gemstones on one side.
- Make sure the row of gems points up to display them effectively.
- Full eternity rings with gems all around are more versatile.
- Rotate your ring occasionally to prevent uneven wear and tear.
- High-quality materials like a platinum band and hard gemstones minimize wear and tear.
- Exercise caution and care with all your jewelry.
Also Read: Ring Size Chart for Women: An Ultimate Guide to Measure Different Sizes of A Proposal Ring
5 Best Eternity Bands for Women
Best eternity band style for brides who like traditional settings: For brides who want classic style jewelry would love to have a round brilliant diamond eternity band for them. This type of eternity band is considered a traditional-style eternity band. One of the best features would be that it’s cheaper than other eternity bands.
The reason for that is straightforward, the diamonds/gemstones are all the same size, so cutting them up doesn’t take extra effort hence saving you money. This eternity band for women is one of the most preferred eternity bands out there.
Best eternity band style for women who like modern and minimalist settings to their jewelry: We are sure that many brides must be obsessed with minimalist designs, be it for decoration or even daily wear. And since an eternity ring is worn daily, you are bound to like this piece of jewelry if you are a minimalist.
It’s popularly known as a baguette or floating design eternity band. It is considered one of the fanciest eternity bands while having subtle design features that will interest you.
Eternity bands with a vintage feel to them: Emerald eternity rings sure seem simple in images, but they are sure to amaze you when seen in real life. It pairs best with the emerald cut diamond engagement ring.
Eternity bands that are fashion statements: When seen from far away. You might get confused between round-cut diamond eternity rings and oval-cut diamond eternity rings. After all, both shapes are insanely similar. If you want something simple that complements your style but don’t want to go with round diamonds. Then this is another option that you can consider.
Eternity bands for women who like an antique look to their jewelry: If you like the antique touch on your jewelry, you might want to consider the mine-cut diamond eternity bands. Which features mine-cut diamonds as its center of attraction.
Conclusion
When considering eternity rings, quality becomes paramount, with factors such as gemstone choice, metal purity, and craftsmanship influencing the overall value and durability. Size determination is a crucial aspect, ensuring a perfect fit that complements both aesthetics and comfort.
These rings, representing everlasting love and commitment, come in various types, each with its unique characteristics and meanings.
Eternity rings are among one the best popular engagement band options. This ring is versatile with two unique options: a full and half eternity ring.
Eternity rings are suitable for any occasion, be it a wedding, engagement, or festival, or can even be styled with usual attire.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the significance of an eternity ring?
An eternity ring represents undying love between two married couples. A promise to never leave each other’s side even in misery. It also symbolizes a significant milestone in a couple’s relationship.
Can you resize an eternity ring?
The answer is no. We have explained that above in the article, but in short, it cannot be resized because the diamonds usually surround the ring evenly. If we were to attempt a resizing, it would mess up the alignment of the other diamonds.
Which finger is for the eternity ring?
Countless people believe that eternity bands progressed from wedding bands and thus are worn on the ring finger. Typically, this is the 3rd finger on the left hand. However, the truth is that anyone can wear the ring on any finger of their liking.
Can you wear an eternity ring as a wedding ring?
Yes, is the short answer. The eternity ring is defined as a configuration that features diamonds or any other type of precious gemstone set across the entire band, their endless emblem of undying love.