Eternity Rings aka infinity rings are the sign of eternal love and loyalty since ages now.
Traditionally, eternity rings have been used as a gift for anniversary, or for special occasion like a birth of a child by the husbands to their wives as a symbol of everlasting love.
These are the rings comprising continuous set of gemstones or diamonds (mostly of same cut) to symbolize strong unbreakable connection between couples.
But have you all ever wondered that where do these connotations and concepts has came from?
Well, we know you must have been curious since while and that’s why, we have described each and every thing about the eternity ring history in this blog , including its gradual evolution with time and popularity.
The History of Eternity Rings are divided as follows -
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Ancient History
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Medieval History
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Modern History
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Ancient History of Eternity Rings
Far back in ancient times - Around 2000BC, the concept of eternity rings was originated by the Egypt provinces of Rome and it is believed that the rings first belonged to them. Since, rings and circles have long existed in history, they also had significance in mythology which is the representation of love and eternal life in ancient Egypt.
Archaeologists found out that the simple eternity rings were carved from bones and intricate rings were crafted from metals in ancient Egyptian tombs.
People back in times, started presenting eternity rings to their loved ones as a sign of promise to stay loyal and to honor their partners. The rings were not named as eternity rings back then, but it has the similar values as of now.
Although, the people of Roman Empire also used to design eternity ring representing a snake devouring its tail, to depict the circle of life and death, these type of rings are called “Ouroboros” rings.
In ancient days, these kind of rings were also known as “keeper” rings.
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Medieval History of Eternity Rings
The possibilities of creativity is endless and that’s why in the medieval history people began to think of an eternity ring with different perspectives.
The eternity rings started to get embellished with different gemstones and diamonds to make it a whole eternity, which indicates peace and holiness.
The medieval eternity ring history holds not much of the information regarding the changes or the modifications. But, the modern history has a treasure of information about eternity rings.
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Modern History of Eternity Rings
The popularity of eternity rings never went down, it has only been re-introduced from time to time.
Lost in the shadows for long time (centuries), the eternity rings were re-introduced in 1960’s to the world by De beers.
It all started with a lesser known agreement between the soviet union and diamond merchants to buy uncut diamond from the Russia.
Since the diamonds were quite small, the merchants collectively decided to mount those diamonds in a band in a continuous form and widely advertised those rings are a precious eternal love gift from husbands to wives.
In 1980’s, the eternity rings were made a symbol to be used by suitors as a promise ring.
How Eternity Rings Become Popular?
In the early modern era, King George III gave Queen Charlotte a diamond keeper in 1761, which further encouraged the fashion.
Eternity bands continued to be popular into the early twentieth century. Examples made in the first two decades of the century are characterized by round old cut diamond and platinum designs, often with milgrain and foliate engraving along the sides of the band.
During the 1920s and 30s the color of eternity rings were restricted to the red, green, and blue of rubies, emeralds, and sapphires respectively, and often paired with platinum and diamonds—all in keeping with the Art Deco taste—became popular.
Eternity rings from this era also tended to contain step cut gemstones in unadorned channel settings. In 1934 Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, upon her marriage to the Prince George, the Duke of Kent, patriotically selected three eternity rings to act as her wedding bands, one each in diamonds, rubies, and sapphires in the colors of the Union Jack. As was perhaps best stated in a 1938 issue of Vogue, “What better emblem of unending devotion than eternity rings?”
Throughout the remainder of the twentieth century the eternity ring continued to evolve. In 1954 Marilyn Monroe received a baguette cut diamond eternity band as a combination engagement and wedding ring from Joe DiMaggio, fully throwing open the functionality of such rings.
And finally in today times, the eternity rings are more popular than ever - The eternity bands also being used to commemorate wedding anniversaries as well as to mark life’s other monumental occasions.
Eternity Ring These Days
Eternity rings are not different from the ones that were originated in the beginning. Although, with time, people are going unconventional for eternity rings now a days.
They have the freedom to choose from a wide variety of eternity ring designs, gemstones, cut and setting of gemstones and even few people choose to inscribe something personal on the band too!
These days eternity ring has also became a style statement for women, they can wear it alone or stack it with their wedding or engagement rings.
Wrapping Up -
Of course! with years, a lot has changed. The metal, stone, cut, settings - have changed too but, the eternity rings still hold the symbolism “token for love” and it has been common across all the era’s.
People still choose to give eternity rings to express their everlasting love to their partners, just like the ancient times.
