Eternity Rings: Symbols of Enduring Love

Rings have been a preferred gift of the human race for literally millennia.  A band around one finger, felt each time a person flexes that digit when working, picking something up, or cupping a loved one’s chin, is a reminder of how much someone special cares for and loves them.

The eternity ring takes this idea to its ultimate level.  In its most complete form, it is a metal band with precious stones around its entire circumference, representing one person’s neverending affection for another.  This is why eternity rings are so popular as engagement and wedding symbols, as well as for anniversaries and other milestones in a relationship.

Eternity rings are available in two different styles.  Which one you choose will depend on your budget, the wearer and of course, the purpose of giving it.

The classic type is the full eternity ring.  This is the one described above, with gems set completely around the band.  Not surprisingly, this is the most expensive style, but also the most traditional.  One of the factors that makes this ring both special and pricey is that it must be custom-made to fit the finger of the recipient.  Since the stones entirely surround the ring, there is no way to resize it at a later date.  Still, the symbolism of infinite love continues to draw more buyers to this type.

Having decided on a style, the next step is to consider what type of gems you want to include on your ring.  As with so many types of jewelry, it should not surprise you that diamond eternity rings are far and away the favorite choice.  Rubies, emeralds and sapphires, however, are also commonly used.  If the ring is being given on a birthday, the wearer’s birthstone may be an appropriate choice.  In other cases, a combination of different gems are employed.

The next style is none as a half eternity ring. These have stones set only part way around the band, making it possible to have the ring resized. This also translates into a significant cost savings. While they are a compromise from the standpoint of what the ring represents, their practicality and affordability have made them perhaps the most popular option.

An increasingly common variation on the half eternity ring contains only three stones, said to represent the past, present and future.  These three-gem rings are particularly popular as gifts for men, as the smaller number of stones offer a simpler, more masculine look.

There are many different occasions for which an eternity ring can be presented.  Besides serving as engagement or wedding rings, they are sometimes given on an anniversary, and worn on the same finger with the others.  The truth is, however, that any situation in which the giver wishes to symbolically express his or her love for another is a perfectly acceptable time to give an eternity ring.

So, regardless of your budget or the occasion, eternity rings are an excellent way to tell someone else how you feel about them.  Then, just as it has for thousands of years, that band on their finger will remind them every day of how much you love them.