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.

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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..,

All About Peridot History

"Peritot" comes from the French meaning "Gold", and because the natural mineral colour of the peridot stones found in Peridot Rings, Peridot Earrings and Peridot Pendants, show this "gold" colour hue, this is where the word Peridot originates.

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Peridot is the gemstone that is usually associated with all types of 16th anniversaries and is the birthstone for the month of August.

Peridot History

It is thought to have been first found around 1500BC on the Island of Zabargad or St Johns Island (once known as Topazos) in the Red Sea off Egypt. This gave rise to it being originally named as Topaz Peridot. This name remained to around the 18th Century when it became known as Peridot (from the French word). This name has stuck ever since.

It was supposed to be Cleopatras' favourite gemstone, even though at first the green stones she once adorned were thought to be emeralds. The Egyptians call it the "Gem of the Sun" and "Evening Emerald" and have also designated it as being their national stone.

On the island of Topazos the local inhabitants were enslaved by the Egyptian Pharaohs so as they would spend all life long mining these gems for them. The Island was so well protected that nobody would dare land without fear of certain execution. These local miners used the stones "evening radiance" or "shine" to be able to pick peridot from the earth even at night!

The Christian Crusaders during the 11th and 12th centuries are believed to have returned home with amazingly large examples, gained from plundering mines from all over their travels. Some of these truly beautiful gems are now found in major museums such as the Tower of London and in the Vatican, but most have probably been cut down to fit in to jewellery through the centuries.

At the beginning of the 1900's superb examples of this gem re-appeared on the markets, again sourced from the Red Sea region. One large example (approx six by four inches) that was famously thought to be originally glass crystal reached an amazing price of 100 which was phenomenal in those days. Production reached its peak during the 19th century, before closing down for 20 years in 1930 due to war.

Excellent quality peridot was once mined in Burma, but just the same as with other gemstones found there, its trade has been damaged due to the political unrest. Although some stones do still come out they are usually not of the same previous quality and are passed through to Thailand in the network of "black market" trading.

Legends of Peridot

Mother nature was thought to have given peridot to the Ancients annually, in celebration of the creation of a "New World". Tribe leaders throughout history if wearing peridot are thought to have been fair and wise.

Up until the middle ages it was thought that the cosmos was made from gemstones and that the sun was made from peridot.

Peridot is supposed to hold many amazing magical powers according to legends. If the jewellery containing peridot was set in to gold, then it would be even stronger in its ability to ward of terrors and bad dreams of the night. The Romans thought that if worn on the right arm it would be even stronger!

Peridot is supposed to protect people from the "evil eye", dispel envious thoughts, and help in friendship along with bringing happiness. It attracts lovers, and strengthens the eye sight.

In ancient times medicines were drunk out of cups made from peridot because it was thought to massively help the healing process. If peridot was carved with an etching of an Ass it was believed to provide greater skill and prophesy, whereas if a totem or vulture was carved, this would provide control over the wind and demons!

My Summary

Most, if not all of the following information has at some time been used by the jewellery trade to market the gemstones to various sections by tapping into peoples beliefs and interests, and hoping these aspects would tempt them to buy this gemstone. It often works!

I hope you have found my article on the peridot gemstone interesting and thank you for taking the time to read it.

J S Stewart © 2011 Globe Jewellery Limited. All Rights Reserved.

To view an excellent range of Beautiful Peridot Jewellery, it is well worth a visit to www.GlobeJewellery.co.uk for an amazing collection of Stunning Peridot Rings, Peridot Earrings and Peridot Pendants, as well as much more!