Eternity Wedding Bands: Symbolizing Everlasting Love

An eternity wedding band, also known as an infinity ring, is a ring comprising a continuous band of precious metal (usually gold) set with identically cut gemstones (usually diamonds) to symbolise never-ending love. The concept of an eternity ring dates back to ancient Egypt, where the rings were offered as a token of eternal love and life. Today, eternity rings are often given as gifts to celebrate a significant anniversary or the birth of a child.

Eternity rings symbolise eternal love and can be given as a gift to celebrate a wedding anniversary or the birth of a child

An eternity ring is a symbol of everlasting love and the eternal 'eternity' a couple plans to share. Typically, it is a woman's ring made of precious metal, such as gold, and set with a continuous line of identically cut gemstones, usually diamonds. The presence of stones all around the band symbolises never-ending love.

Eternity rings are often given as gifts to commemorate a significant wedding anniversary. They can be given to mark a milestone in a marriage, representing the time spent together and the future the couple plans to share. While there are no set rules, they are commonly given on major anniversaries, such as the 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th and 25th.

The tradition of giving eternity rings to celebrate a wedding anniversary has evolved over time. In ancient Egypt, these rings were used as tokens of eternal love and life, not necessarily to commemorate a specific occasion. It is only in recent times that they have become associated with milestone anniversaries.

In addition to celebrating wedding anniversaries, eternity rings are also often given to mark the birth or adoption of a child. This tradition is linked to the original symbolism of the eternity ring as a representation of the circle of life. The ring can be seen as a way to celebrate the beginning of life as a family. It is usually given to a wife or new mother by her spouse after the birth of their first child.

The concept of an eternity ring dates back to ancient Egypt, where they were offered as a token of eternal love and life

The concept of an eternity ring, also known as an infinity ring, dates back approximately 4,000 years to ancient Egypt. The ancient Egyptians would present their loved ones with eternity rings as a token of both eternal love and life. The circle was a powerful symbol for the Egyptians, representing eternity, perfection, holiness, and peace. They believed that the bond of marriage was so strong that it could not be interrupted, even by death.

Early examples of eternity rings were ordinary circles of metal, precious or otherwise, sometimes set with stones. Some early rings were designed to mimic a snake devouring its tail, a symbol known as the ouroboros, which represents eternity and wholeness. Archaeologists have discovered ancient Egyptian rings made from a variety of materials, including braided reeds, carved bone, and metal, often adorned with carvings, beads, or gems.

The Shen ring, a circle with a line tangent to it, is a specific type of ancient Egyptian ring that symbolises eternal protection. It was often exchanged by couples on special occasions as a token of romantic love. The ancient Egyptians were the first to invent the wedding ring, and they wore eternity rings on their wedding day and to commemorate their marriage.

In modern times, eternity rings are traditionally worn by women and made of precious metals like gold, silver, or platinum. They are often given as gifts to mark important occasions in a relationship, such as a significant anniversary or the birth of a child. Eternity rings symbolise never-ending love and are usually set with a continuous line of identically cut gemstones, most commonly diamonds.

Eternity bands differ from wedding bands in terms of design, construction, and purpose. Wedding bands are typically exchanged during the wedding ceremony, while eternity rings are given to commemorate milestones in a marriage or the birth of a child. Eternity bands feature gemstones that go all the way around the band, while wedding bands with gemstones usually only have them across the face of the ring.

Eternity rings are usually made of precious metals, such as gold or platinum, and feature a continuous line of identically cut diamonds or gemstones

Eternity rings are traditionally made of precious metals, such as gold or platinum, and feature a continuous line of identically cut diamonds or gemstones. The precious metal band is inlaid with these diamonds or gemstones, which can be set in a variety of ways. For example, some eternity rings have bars or decorative details between the stones, while others have an unbroken line of gems. The ring can be designed to leave the tops and bottoms of the stones exposed for extra sparkle, or to have the metal protect the stones for added durability.

The type of precious metal used for the band is an important choice. Yellow gold is a classic option, making the colour of the diamond stand out. White gold and platinum offer a clean, bright look, and rose gold adds a hint of warmth to the ring's style. Platinum is also known for its purity and durability, giving it a modern look.

The diamonds or gemstones themselves can be cut in a variety of shapes, from classic round to elegant emerald or trendy oval. The cut of the stones can dramatically change the overall look of the ring. The continuous line of identically cut stones symbolises never-ending love, and the entire design of the eternity ring references everlasting love.

Eternity rings can be worn on the left-hand ring finger, or on the right hand if the wearer already has a wedding and engagement ring

An eternity ring is a piece of jewellery characterised by a continuous loop of identically cut gemstones, usually diamonds, set around the entire circumference of the band. The eternity ring is symbolic of never-ending love and is usually given by a spouse to their wife to commemorate a significant occasion, such as an anniversary or the birth of a child.

Eternity rings are often worn as wedding rings as they complement many different engagement ring designs. They can be worn on the left-hand ring finger, or on the right hand if the wearer already has a wedding and engagement ring. This is because there is no rule for the placement of an eternity ring—it can be worn on any finger that feels most comfortable.

If the eternity ring is given as an anniversary gift, it can be worn between the wedding and engagement rings, or in any arrangement that is aesthetically pleasing. The order in which the rings are worn is also a matter of personal preference. Traditionally, the wedding ring is worn first on the ring finger, followed by the engagement ring, and then the eternity ring. However, it is also common to wear the eternity ring on the right hand, especially if the wearer has a large engagement ring or one with a centre stone that makes it difficult to wear three rings together.

The popularity of diamond eternity rings began in the 1960s due to an advertising campaign by diamond merchant De Beers

An eternity ring, also known as an infinity ring, is a ring comprising a band of precious metal (usually gold) set with a continuous line of identically cut gemstones (usually diamonds) to symbolise never-ending love. They are often given by a spouse to their wife on the occasion of a significant anniversary, typically after five years of marriage, or to celebrate the birth of a child.

De Beers has a long history of influencing demand for diamonds through advertising. In the 1930s and 40s, the company's ad agency, N.W. Ayer, set out to persuade young men and women that diamonds were synonymous with romance and that the size and quality of the diamond was a measure of a man's love and success. This campaign was extremely successful, and by the 1950s, three-quarters of American brides wore a diamond engagement ring.

De Beers' campaign for diamond eternity rings in the 1960s built on this association between diamonds and romance and was similarly effective. The popularity of diamond eternity rings has continued to the present day, with diamond eternity rings now given for a variety of reasons, including one-year and ten-year anniversaries, as well as the birth of a first child.

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