Eternity rings are not just symbols of endless love – they also signify a promise that you will love your other half forever. And that isn’t the flirtatious, playful love enjoyed at the beginning of a relationship when you still see everything in rose-coloured light - eternity rings arrive much later, when the connection has deepened. It is therefore no wonder they are becoming more and more popular among couples.
Eternity rings have a long history but the modern ones come in many shapes and sizes. However, one thing has remained constant; an eternity ring traditionally has gems all the way around its circumference, and they are usually diamonds. ‘Half’ eternity rings have also become increasingly popular and feature gems only on the top of the ring.
If you’ve received such a ring, you may be quietly wondering what it signifies. Thankfully, it’s quite simple; the process of giving an eternity ring symbolises the everlasting love between two people.
But we can sense you want to know more, and with that in mind, we’re going to take a brief look at the history of eternity rings, within which you may just discover the reason your significant other gave you such an unexpected, beautiful gift.
Diamond eternity rings and half eternity rings are relatively new inventions, and the situations in which they are gifted have evolved significantly over the years.
It all started with the ancient Egyptians.
Egyptian rings did not only symbolise eternal love but also an eternal life. The ring itself was a rather ordinary metal circle containing gems on the outside, but the design often mimicked a snake biting its own tail - a common symbol of immortality and rebirth in Egyptian culture.
Diamonds haven’t always been the standard gems found in eternity rings and their use is actually a rather modern concept. We will come back to that shortly, but before diamonds became popular, eternity rings were mostly adorned with a variety of coloured gems.
Adding birthstones or other symbolic gems to an eternity ring make it more personal and can also add meaning to the gift. If you see colourful gems in yours, it is worth taking time to find out what meaning lies behind them. This way, you will understand what message yours intends to convey.
However, not every page of eternity ring history is filled with romanticism. In 1960, diamond merchant De Beers signed a secret agreement with the Soviet Union to create a single channel of diamond supply. At the time, the fashion was dictated by engagement rings topped by large diamonds, and the uncut gems coming from the Soviet Union didn’t fit in this category. So, they devised a business plan. Eternity rings proved to be perfect vehicles for the small diamonds they were producing, and were subsequently delivered to the media sporting the slogan: "She married you for richer or poorer. Let her know how it’s going."
However, and despite the fact eternity rings started out as a moneymaking endeavour during a diamond conflict, they still make for beautiful and sentimental gift that couples can give to one another.
You could receive your eternity ring following the birth of your first child or after several years of marriage, but the message is always consistent. For example, a husband who gives an eternity ring to his wife is expressing his deep love for her and his commitment to the relationship.
If you believe the Egyptians, the gift of an eternity ring means you can expect an eternal life and love with your partner. But if the former sounds rather far-fetched and you are somewhat more sceptical about its mystical powers, you can at least be sure that your love is strong and will go on for years to come.
