Eternity Rings: Types, Modern Design Innovations, and How to Care

Eternity rings, also called infinity rings, symbolize everlasting love and commitment between a couple. These rings are covered either half or full with gemstones. These gemstones make the rings endure, which passes them from generation to generation as a treasured family heirloom. These rings also represent balance, unity, and trust. Unlike engagement and wedding rings, eternity rings are given on significant milestones to celebrate the shared journey and achievements. Eternity rings are also given on anniversaries, yet the anniversary ring is quite different, as it contains a smaller number of stones.

The history of eternity rings can be traced back to Ancient Egypt, where people used to represent eternal love with simple circular bands. These bands were made from braided reeds that look like Ouroboros(a serpent eating its own tail). The rise of diamond rings started in the 1960s, in a marketing campaign by a diamond company named De Beers. They unlock a new idea to utilize small diamonds, which were not commonly useful in engagement rings. Today, eternity rings are given on anniversaries, child birth, and special birthdays. 

What Are the Different Types of Eternity Rings?

Here are the five different types of eternity rings:

1. Full Eternity Rings: In full eternity rings, the circle is covered with diamonds or other gemstones. It sparkles on every side of the band. The gemstones are strong, due to which the ring is unbreakable, symbolizing everlasting love. These are expensive than other rings and are difficult to resize in the future. 
2. Half Eternity Rings: The band in half-eternity is covered with stones only at the top. This feature makes it comfortable to wear and easier to resize. Half eternity rings are cheaper than full eternity rings and offer a better solution for potential finger size change. 
3. Three-Quarter Eternity Rings: These bands are almost completely covered with stones, yet provide plain metal at the bottom of the ring. It makes them elegant, like full eternity rings, and also adaptable for a changing finger size. 
4. Custom Eternity Rings: The designs of the bands are customized with initials, dates, or a unique symbol to add a personal touch. Most couples design these rings as the unique customization is visible only to the wearer, maintaining a simple and elegant design.
5. Floating Eternity Bands: This style gives the illusion that the stones are floating within the metal band. It creates a delicate and airy appearance, which allows maximum light to reach the gemstone. Prong or tension settings are used to achieve this effect. 

Which Metals Best Complement Eternity Rings?

Here are the five best metals to use for eternity rings:

1. Platinum: It is known for its durability and strength. Platinum is silvery-white in color and requires low maintenance due to its natural color. It is softer yet heavier than gold and develops a patina layer with time, which can be polished away. 
2. White Gold: This is made from the alloy of yellow gold with white metal like nickel or palladium to create a mirror-like shine. The presence of nickel makes it allergic for people with sensitive skin. White gold preserves shapes and unique designs as it is resistant to scratches. Replating is required after 1-3 years to maintain its shine. 
3. Yellow Gold: It offers timeless charm and traditional warmth. Yellow gold is available in different purities like 14k and 18k, which affect its durability and color. It does not need plating for its unique color, which decreases its maintenance cost. 
4. Rose Gold: The rose gold is prepared with copper and gold alloy, offering durability and a reddish-pink blush tone. It flatters various skin tones and brings a warm, vintage-inspired charm to the design.
5. Mixed Metals: Different metals are combined to create a personalized design. Metal of different shades and the stones of various colors allow the jeweler to create a unique style, whether minimalist or vintage. 

What Are the Different Setting Styles for Eternity Rings?

Here are the five different setting styles for eternity bands:

1. Prong Setting: It is also known as a claw setting, used to hold the stone in its place with maximum exposure to the light. It enhances their spark and brilliance, yet they are more vulnerable to snagging in cloth or other items. They wear down with time and require proper maintenance for long-term use. 
2. Channel Setting: Stones are secured within the metal of the ring to create a smooth and clean look. The sparkle is subtle as stones are not exposed directly to the light in this setting. It requires more detailed cleaning to avoid dirt and air trapping. 
3. Pavé Setting: Small stones are placed closely together with small prongs that are almost invisible. It increases the risk of losing stones due to looseness of the prongs with time. Pave setting requires higher maintenance and is more delicate than other settings.
4. Bezel Setting: A Metal rim surrounds each stone of the ring in this setting. IT is more secure than the prong setting. The cons of the setting include metal visibility, less sparkle, and a high price. 
5. Bar Setting: Stones are separated with a vertical metal bar in this setting to keep them aligned and secured. This design leaves two sides of each stone open, which allows more light to pass through them. Bar setting creates greater sparkle than a channel setting.

What Gemstones Define Eternity Rings?

Here are the six gemstones that are mostly used in the eternity ring:

1. Diamonds: It is a classic choice that represents everlasting love. Diamond is durable and is at the 10th position on the Mohs scale. It pairs easily with any type of metal, from pure gold to platinum. 
2. Sapphires: These are blue in color and symbolize loyalty and sincerity. These are also durable, which makes them a good choice for daily wear, maintaining the royal look. 
3. Rubies: They symbolize passion, energy, and devotion. The red color of the ruby represents vibrant love. 
4. Emeralds: The green color of the emerald represents growth, harmony, and renewal. These stones are commonly used to celebrate the birth of a child or a new beginning.
5. Mixed Gem Designs: Other gemstones like amethyst, aquamarine, and peridot represent spirituality, communication, and strength, respectively. These stones offer a unique color that has a specific meaning in itself. 
6. Birthstones: An eternity ring designed with the birthstones of a couple or their children is one of the most personal choices. It offers a heartfelt way to celebrate family milestones.

How to Select the Perfect Eternity Ring?

Here are the five steps to select a perfect eternity ring:

1. Choose a Style: Before going shopping, decide style that matches the partner’s style. Figure out whether they like modern and minimalist style or vintage and classic styles. Then choose the style that complements the existing jewelry for a harmonious look. 
2. Daily Comfort: Choose the ring that can be worn in the daily routine. Consider differentiating it from the type of lifestyle of your partner. A person with an active lifestyle needs a durable metal like platinum. Gold is a good and elegant option for businesspeople. 
3. Stone Setting Security: Maintain a perfect balance between stone security and sparkle. Porne setting allows maximum sparkle, yet it's vulnerable to impact. Shared prong and bar settings provide an ideal balance of security and brilliance. 
4. Pick a Meaningful Gemstone: A meaningful gemstone enhances the value of the moment. Choose stones with unique symbols like sapphires for loyalty, trust, and rubies to show vibrant love. 
5. Ensure Correct Ring Size: Proper sizing is essential for any ring, especially for full eternity designs that usually cannot be resized.

How Are Eternity Rings Worn?

The eternity ring is traditionally worn on the same finger as the engagement or wedding ring. It is worn above or below them since modern styles allow stacking and mixing. Eternity rings can also be worn solo as an accessory. 

What Are the Modern Design Innovations in Eternity Rings?

Here are the five modern design innovations in eternity rings:

1. East-West Stone Settings: This modern style turns long-shaped stones, like emerald, oval, or marquise cuts, sideways to give the ring a fresh and stylish look.
2. Geometric Designs: Geometric eternity rings are good for a bolder and architectural look. The hexagonal and square settings are used to create innovative patterns. 
3. Two-Tone Metals: Mixing two metals like rose gold or white gold symbolizes two unique personalities living together for years. 
4. Hidden Halo Details: A hidden halo features a circle of pavé-set diamonds placed beneath the center stone. These styles are visible only from the ring’s side profile.
5. Custom-Engraved Eternity Rings: Custom engraving turns a ring into a meaningful gift. The bands are engraved with a special date, message, or initials.

How to Care for Your Eternity Ring

Use mild soap and warm water for gentle cleaning. Avoid the use of harsh chemicals, as they can change the band color can initiate corrosion. Store the ring in its separate box to prevent scratches. Schedule professional care every year to save the ring for the long term. They keep special equipment and solutions to clean and maintain these memorable gifts.