Eternity rings are traditionally the third piece of your bridal ring set. Read on to discover what they are, what they symbolise, and when you should consider dropping the hint for one to your partner – or, perhaps choosing one for yourself.
What do eternity rings look like?
Eternity rings are traditionally a band set with diamonds. While many eternity rings feature stones all the way around the band, a lot of people opt for rings with stones set along the ring’s top and sides, which allows for greater comfort as well as resizing if needed.
Since an eternity ring symbolises just that – eternity – and it’s something you’ll wear forever, the most important part of choosing your ring is that it’s something you genuinely love. For this reason many people choose rings with unique designs, contoured or shaped bands, to create a look that’s unique to them and which complements their wedding and engagement rings.
When do you receive an eternity band?
This really depends on the couple. It’s most common to receive your eternity ring when you and your partner celebrate a milestone wedding anniversary, such as 10 years. It’s a way of acknowledging that as your marriage continues to evolve over time, you remain committed to each other and more in love than ever.
Another popular time to gift an eternity ring is to celebrate the arrival of your first child together. Some couples choose other special moments to give an eternity ring, such as birthdays or Christmas, buying your first home, renewing your vows, or any other moment that is special and meaningful to the two of you.
How do you wear an eternity ring?
If you wear all of your bridal rings together, it’s tradition that you wear your eternity band on top of your engagement ring, closest to your finger tip. Your wedding band is commonly put on your finger first so that it’s closest to your heart, which is tied to an ancient belief that your left-hand ring finger was directly connected to your heart.
Many people choose to keep wearing their engagement ring after they’re married; if you do too, it is placed on your finger on top of your wedding band. Your eternity ring then helps to frame your engagement ring, and signifies the next step in your relationship – a shared promise of ongoing and everlasting love and commitment.
What do eternity rings mean?
Just as your engagement and wedding rings have similar yet unique meanings – your engagement ring for promise, your wedding ring for commitment – an eternity ring symbolises your everlasting love and devotion to your spouse. It serves as a reminder that through each milestone (children, anniversaries, houses, travel), you’re in it together.