|
The history of
the eternity ring goes back almost four thousand years. Ancient
Egyptians are thought to be the first to make and wear eternity
rings. Eternity rings are essentially a continuous circle of
metal studded with stones either halfway or all the way around. Early
eternity rings were meant to symbolize eternal life and love. The
unending, unbroken circle
of precious metal represents a never-ending circle
of trust, or the circle of life. Eternity rings today symbolize
an everlasting relationship of love and are commonly used for wedding
or anniversary bands.
Early eternity
rings featured stones that went halfway around the shank of the ring.
They also further set their meaning in stone when they were fashioned
to look like a snake
swallowing its own tail. This snake swallowing its tail eternity
ring really helped solidify the meaning of the continuous circle as
the eternal symbol of love and life. Eternity rings were originally
made with the stones flush mounted. This is where the stones are
actually embedded into the metal. The flush setting makes for a very comfortable
wear. If the stones are too large or protrude from the sides too
far, then they can be uncomfortable between your fingers.
Modern
eternity rings are usually channel set for comfort and larger stones
are avoided. Channel
set refers to how the stones are encased by the metal only on
the edges of the shank. This is not to be confused with claw set
where the stones are raised above the shank and held on by prongs.
Claw set is almost exclusively used for half eternity rings so that
the prongs do not irritate the skin on the surrounding fingers.
Modern advances in jewelry crafting have actually made full claw
set eternity rings much more comfortable and popular. Channel
and claw set eternity rings give a more brilliant shine to the stones
used than the flush mount setting, but some still prefer the original
embedded stone eternity rings.
The meaning of
an eternity ring traditionally
is eternal love, but it is really open for individual interpretation.
Couples very often come up with their own meanings. Eternity rings
are used for wedding bands and vibrantly compliment diamond solitaire
engagement rings. They are becoming increasingly popular as
anniversary bands or right hand rings. But, you can give an eternity
ring for any occasion. The birth of a child is a very
appropriate time to give an eternity ring. In this instance, it could
symbolize the eternity of your new family or your never-ending love
and compassion for your wife who has helped you create this new life.
Some like to say that it symbolizes the eternity that it took for the
baby to arrive or some other personal meaning to you as a couple. As
an anniversary gift, it could symbolize the eternity that you will be
together or how it has felt like an eternity
being married.
Whatever
meaning you come up with, an eternity ring will leave a lasting
impression and most definitely become an heirloom and beautiful
conversation piece for years to come. The long-lasting reputation and
never ending popularity of the diamond
ruby eternity ring or diamond
sapphire eternity ring or emerald
diamond eternity ring will ensure that it never goes out of
style and is always admired and loved. Showing your love with eternity
rings is a long standing tradition and will surely make your
special someone feel loved and appreciated.
|
