A common gift for a wedding anniversary is jewelry and one piece that is popular with many men is diamond eternity rings. Many men give their wife an eternity band to celebrate a significant anniversary for the couple. However, many couples now use eternity bands as wedding rings, especially if they are family heirlooms.
What is an Eternity Ring?
Physically, diamond eternity rings include a precious metal band, usually gold, and inset with a continuous row of identically cut diamonds. It is said to symbolize the everlasting or eternal love of the couple. Some women wear an eternity band behind their wedding and engagement rings, while others may wear it on their right hand.
The History of the Eternity Ring
The tradition of the eternity ring began in Egypt approximately 4,000 years ago. Although the rings were not necessarily given to celebrate a particular anniversary, they were given as a symbol of eternal love and life. The early eternal rings consisted of a ring of metal with stones on the top half of the ring or that encircled the entire ring. Other eternity rings were depictions of snakes swallowing their own tail. These rings were called “uroburos,” and were a common symbol of eternity.
Eternity Ring Traditions
Men may give their wives diamond eternity rings on a milestone anniversary. The ring not only depicts a couple’s time together in a marriage, but also the eternal future for which the couple plans to be together. An eternity ring may also represent the eternal circle of life, and be given to a new mother or a wife when their first child is born.
Caring for Eternity Rings
Diamond eternity rings can last for generations if cared for properly. If you want to keep your diamonds looking bright and shiny throughout the life of your eternity ring, then you should clean it once a month at home and have a professional clean it once a year. Using hand lotions, gardening and other activities can cause your diamonds to dull as dirt and grime build up on them.
To clean diamond eternity rings, fill a small bowl with warm water and add a few drops of a mild dish detergent. Let the ring soak for a few minutes in order to loosen any dirt on it. Use a very soft brush, such as a baby’s toothbrush, and gently scrub the ring. Rinse it off with hot water and let it dry, then your diamonds should sparkle once again.
If you are giving an eternity band as a gift, be sure to measure the ring finger carefully because you will need the exact size to order the ring. Eternity rings can be difficult to resize, so getting an accurate size is important.
