An eternity ring is traditionally a band set with diamonds and is often given after the birth of the first child or after one year of marriage. Sometimes an eternity ring is worn on the same hand as the engagement ring and wedding ring, though it can also be worn on the right hand.
There are many different types of eternity rings, and the shape and size of the diamonds, the setting style, and the metal that the ring is made out of, will all determine how the ring looks. You can also have shaped eternity rings made to sit flush with an engagement ring. This is often necessary with particularly large or unusually shaped stones.
Pear and heart shape diamonds
Diamond size and shape
Whilst the vast majority of eternity rings have round brilliant cut diamonds, you can use other shapes of diamond as well, with princess cuts, emerald cuts, baguettes and cushions being the most frequently used other shapes.
Sometimes a mixture of diamond cuts can be used; for instance, round brilliant cut diamonds might be paired with baguette cuts.
Eternity rings made using marquise, pear cut, or even heart cut diamonds are also possible, though these rings will almost always need to be made to order. In the case of pear cut and heart shaped diamonds, the stones will alternate between diamonds facing up and downwards.
Full or half ?
A full eternity ring has diamonds all the way around, whilst a half eternity has them half the way around.
Setting style
There are five different setting styles that might be used.
Claw Set - Claws, sometimes also known as prongs, wrap around each individual stone to hold it in place; in eternity rings there are almost always 4 claws per stone.
Grain Set - ‘Grains’ are tiny balls of metal that hold the stones in place. This intricate style of setting leaves no visible gaps between the stones and is often accompanied by a ‘millgrain’ edge, though not always.
Chanel set - This setting is created when stones are set between a chanel of metal on either side.
Bar set - A bar set is when bars of metal separate each stone and the stones are set but cutting a groove in each side of the chanel.
Pave - Normally, all ‘pave’ set rings are grain set, however when we talk about pave set eternity rings, we mean rings that have more than one row of diamonds, usually two or three.
White gold and yellow gold eternity rings
Material
White Gold
Silver, palladium, and other metals are mixed with gold to create white gold, a bright white coloured metal with all the properties of gold, which makes it excellent for creating jewellery.
Platinum
Platinum is a dense, rare, hardwearing metal that is ideal for all types of eternity rings and is excellent housing for diamonds.
Yellow Gold
Yellow gold has a rich, luxurious shine that makes an excellent setting for gemstones such as diamonds, as well as coloured gemstones.
Rose Gold
Rose gold contains a high percentage of copper to give it a warmer ‘rose’ colour. Initially popular in the early part of the 20th century, rose gold enjoyed a renaissance in the 2010s.
Sustainable eternity rings
Fairtrade & Fairmined gold
Fairtrade and Fairmined gold is mined by small scale miners in South America, Asia, and Africa, in conditions that are safer and better for the environment and miners than is normally the case for small scale miners and mining in general.
Both Fairmined and Fairtrade gold is available in yellow, rose, and white gold varieties.
Half and half
It is entirely possible to have an eternity ring that is made out of two different coloured metals, usually white gold and yellow gold. Diamonds are traditionally set in white gold or platinum to bring out their white colour.
Platinum and yellow gold fishtail eternity ring
Made to order eternity rings
If you are going for a full eternity ring, then it will almost certainly have to be made to measure, as the exact number of diamonds that can fit on the ring will depend on your finger size.
Coloured gemstone eternity rings
As well as diamonds, a range of coloured gemstones can be used in an eternity ring and, like diamonds, these can come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Eternity rings with alternating diamonds and coloured gemstones are popular; emeralds, rubies, and sapphires are the coloured stones most often used in eternity rings.
Like an engagement ring, an eternity ring is often worn every day, so the hardness of diamonds make them ideal for this type of item. Rubies and sapphires are the next hardest gemstone, so will stand up well to the wear and tear of daily life.
Ruby and diamond eternity ring