Saturday 3 September 2011

Discussing Eternity Ring History

"Anniversary" or "Eternity Rings", are really just "dress" rings, such as Diamond Eternity Rings, Sapphire Eternity Rings, Emerald Eternity Rings, Ruby Eternity Rings, Tanzanite Eternity Rings and many more. Any mixture of any gemstones can be employed in their make-up, but whichever gems are used, and in whatever style, they are usually used in conjunction with diamonds.


Eternity Rings History


The first recorded use of these rings in history, dates back to around four thousand years when the Egyptians, and then by the Romans and Greeks, who first started to present them to loved ones for the same reasons we do now. This tradition as remained just as strong throughout most of history, right up to this day.


Styles of Eternity Bands


The "never-ending" or "everlasting" cycle is symbolic, and it is associated with eternal love. Because of this, numerous eternity rings are multi-stranded or plaited.


A full eternity ring is one which has gemstones set all around its design, whereas a half eternity, as the name also suggests, only has stones set around approximately half its make-up. The full band is historically much more traditional, but due to its increased costs from double the amount of stones needed, and increased metal content, today they are not as popular as that of half eternity styles, due to these costs being approximately 2-3 times that of the half eternity ring.


Full eternity ring styles are most often made up to customers specifications upon ordering, so as to try to get the size perfect from onset, due to the re-sizing of these rings being much more difficult than that of the half eternity styles.


Full eternity rings can also sometimes be uncomfortable to wear on the finger due to the depth of the shank resting between your fingers. This limits how big gemstones which can be used.


Eternity Ring Metals


Very rarely these days are they made up in such as silver, unless the recipient does not like the other metal alternatives for some reason. Usually they will be found in the gold variations of white and yellow (sometimes rose), in 9ct and 18ct gold types (18ct being more expensive due to its increased pure gold content), as well as in platinum, and a newer and cheaper alternative to platinum, called palladium.


Eternity Ring Settings


One of the most popular settings today, is that of the "channel" setting, but these styles have to be treated with a little care, due to them sometimes becoming a little unstable. The most common designs through all history has been the "claw" setting, but this allows the possibility of more damage to the stones that are present within from knocking or catching on objects. The best designs offer more protection to the gems, such as "pave", "rub-over" and "flush" setting styles.


Gem Shape in Eternity Bands


Because the main function of the setting in these styles is to try to minimise any gaps within the setting between stones, the best gems to use are that which have square ends so as they can lay end-to-end with each other, such as princess, emerald and baguette cut types. Rounds are also used for this reason, but will have a little space between stones. The other cuts such as pear and heart for example, are very rarely used for this reason.


When should they be given?


The best time for giving diamond eternity or anniversary rings according to the heavy marketing of diamonds by such as De Beers, they would lead us to believe that this is on the 1st wedding anniversary, or 1st anniversary of a children's birth. Throughout the jewellery trade and even in many peoples beliefs, it is known that many other gemstones can be used to celebrate many other anniversaries that are linked to number of years passed. For example, sapphire is the anniversary gemstone for 5th, 45th and 70th anniversary celebrations.


This ring is used to emphasise a mans true love for his lady, as well as her continued good health and prosperity.


Which Finger


Most often these rings are to be placed on the "ring" finger, which is the third finger of the left hand, along with the engagement and wedding ring, although in some countries they do tend to wear their anniversary rings on the right hand finger.


Which order do you wear your Eternity Ring?


Most people put on their wedding ring and hardly ever take it off, so that it's usually the first ring put on the finger, and because the engagement ring is usually removed fairly often, then this usually goes on next. The eternity ring usually follows on last. Its position on the finger is really up to you, and if it will be removed often or not, depending upon its robustness and what type of jobs are being carried out at the time.


In Summary


What is the point in purchasing eternity rings, as is all other jewellery, it they are just to sit unseen in a box. So, please enjoy them and show them off as much they deserve.


J S Stewart © 2011 Globe Jewellery Limited.


All Rights Reserved.Amazing Eternity Rings can be found at www.GlobeJewellery.co.uk. Such as Diamond Eternity Rings, Ruby Eternity Rings, Emerald Eternity Rings, Sapphire Eternity Rings, & more..,

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