What Is an Eternity Ring? Meaning, When to Give One and How to Wear It

An eternity ring is a band set with a continuous line of diamonds or gemstones. The unbroken row stands for love that never ends, which is why it is so often given to mark a milestone in a relationship: an anniversary, the birth of a child, or simply years spent together.

What does an eternity ring mean?

The circle of a ring has no beginning and no end, and an eternity ring makes that literal with stones running along the band. It says “forever” in the same way a wedding ring says “I do”. Many couples see it as the third ring in a set: the engagement ring for the promise, the wedding ring for the marriage, and the eternity ring for the life built since.

When do you give an eternity ring?

There is no rule, but the most popular moments are:

• A wedding anniversary, often the first, tenth or twenty-fifth. A ruby eternity ring is a traditional choice for a fortieth.
• The birth of a child, sometimes called a push present, and sometimes with a birthstone for the baby's month.
• A vow renewal or a significant birthday.
• Instead of a wedding band, for those who want sparkle beside the engagement ring from the start.

Which finger do you wear an eternity ring on?

In the UK it is usually worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, alongside the engagement and wedding rings. The most common order, from the hand outwards, is wedding ring, engagement ring, eternity ring: the wedding ring sits closest to the heart, and the eternity ring “guards” the other two. Plenty of people wear it on the right hand instead, or on its own, and both are just as correct.

To make a stack sit well, choose the same metal as your other rings and a similar width. If your engagement ring has a low setting, a wishbone eternity ring curves around it so the rings sit flush.

Full eternity or half eternity?

A full eternity ring has stones all the way round the band, so it sparkles however it turns. Because the band is set all the way round, it is made to your exact size and cannot easily be resized later.

A half eternity ring has stones across the top of the band only. From the front it looks the same, it costs less, it is smoother between the fingers, and it can usually be resized. For a ring worn every day beside other rings, half eternity is the more popular choice.

How to choose an eternity ring

Metal

Match your engagement and wedding rings so they wear evenly. Platinum is naturally white and the most hard-wearing; 18ct white gold gives the same look for less; yellow and rose gold are warmer.

Width

Fine bands under 2mm are made for stacking; 2mm to 3mm is the most popular width beside an engagement ring; wider rings of 4mm and more stand on their own. See eternity rings by width.

Diamonds or gemstones

All-diamond rings are the classic. For colour, sapphire and ruby are the hardest gemstones after diamond and the best for everyday wear; see all coloured stone eternity rings.

Lab grown or natural diamonds

Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds, physically and chemically the same as diamonds from the ground, and cost less. On our eternity rings they are F colour, VVS clarity as standard; natural diamonds are G colour, VS clarity. See lab grown diamond eternity rings.

How much does an eternity ring cost?

The price depends on four things: the metal, how wide the band is, whether it is full or half eternity, and the diamonds. A half eternity ring in 18ct gold with lab grown diamonds costs least; a wide full eternity ring in platinum with natural diamonds costs most. Every ring page shows the price for each metal and for lab grown or natural diamonds, so you can compare like for like.

Eternity ring or wedding ring?

A wedding ring is given at the wedding; an eternity ring usually comes later. But a diamond-set band can be either, and many people choose a half eternity ring as their wedding ring, then add a second band for an anniversary.