History of the Eternity Band
Most jewellery professionals believe the first use of an eternity band dates back to the Ancient Egyptians. Eternity rings were exchanged as a token of love and commitment between lovers.
The modern diamond eternity band features a circular wedding band set with diamonds all the way around. This idea was introduced in the 1960s by DeBeers, one of the most famous in the diamond industry. During this time, the diamond industry had difficulty selling smaller diamond accent stones, so they had to think quickly.
The marketing campaign was targeted toward couples that were already married. The slogan, “She married you for richer or poorer. Let her know how it’s going.” took off and many rushed out to purchase a special diamond eternity band to remind and reinforce the eternal commitment they made to their spouse.
What is the Meaning of an Eternity Band?
Before, there was a distinction between a normal diamond wedding band and an eternity band. Modern jewellery trends have blurred those lines. Eternity bands don’t usually come as part of a bridal set.
Matching rings and bridal sets were a must for many, but today people choose the wedding band they love rather than one that matches perfectly. A lot of people choose eternity rings to accompany their engagement ring.
Don’t think that you must be married or in a relationship at all to bask in the beauty of a brilliant diamond eternity ring. Eternity rings are also a favourite simply for fashion statements. They come in various carat weights and styles, making them an ideal candidate for stackable ring sets too. They can be worn on any finger, though many opt to place it on the opposite ring finger of their bridal set.
Aside from the early uses, today there are many reasons why one would give an eternity band. The modern-day eternity rings are worn as wedding bands, anniversary bands, and promise rings. They’re perfect for special occasions or casual wear. Today, they are used for almost any occasion.
Are Eternity Bands Expensive?
The price of an eternity band can range depending on several factors. The biggest ones are the quality of the stones and their origins.
For example, a traditional diamond eternity band will cost more than the average diamond wedding band. Eternity bands have diamonds going all the way around, whereas a traditional diamond band has about ⅓ of the ring shank made of a precious metal. More diamonds usually mean more money.
The quality of the diamonds in an eternity band will have a big effect on the price. A diamond’s quality and value can be determined by its 4Cs grading system. It was implemented by the Gemological Institute of America, the most respected authority in gemstone research.
In the 4Cs, a diamond’s cut, clarity, colour, and carat weight determine its overall value and cost. Diamonds in eternity bands don’t come with grading certificates, but they may have general grades listed in the descriptions.
The total carat weight of all your diamonds in the eternity band is a good way to get an idea of the cost. If the clarity and colour grades of your diamonds are high and the carat weight is over 1 carat, it’s likely to cost over €1,000. Bigger diamonds require higher colour and clarity grades, which will increase the cost as well as the value.
Eternity bands with lab-created diamonds will cost less than ones made with mined diamonds of similar quality. The same can also be said for many coloured gemstones.
Can You Resize an Eternity Band?
You can’t resize a traditional full eternity band. There won’t be room for a jeweller to cut the metal. Usually, a half eternity band can be resized. You shouldn’t size a ring more than 2 sizes, but don’t be surprised if they’re only able to size ½ or 1 size up.
Most jewellery stores will have a disclaimer to tell you that eternity bands can’t be resized. If that’s the case, many of them offer exchanges within their return policies.
Caring For Your Eternity Band
Eternity bands worn daily should be inspected and cleaned with caution. Jewellery materials aren’t indestructible and eternity bands are a bit more vulnerable than the average diamond band.
A traditional diamond wedding band doesn’t have diamonds all the way around but they require upkeep and care. We often bump our hands on things without realising it throughout the day. That’s also why you’ll notice the bottom of your ring gets scratched up more than the top.
And if that’s the case, then the diamonds on the bottom of an eternity band are just as vulnerable. The diamonds won’t get scratched, but the metal can tend to get worn. Always check your prongs and diamonds on an eternity band because they can get loose.
Grace Diamonds do bespoke eternity rings to give you exactly what you want. You can contact us if there is anything you would like to know.
