Eternity rings have become extremely popular in recent years. For the unconverted, they might be seen as a cynical ploy by the jewelry industry to rustle up new business; but for people who do choose to give an eternity ring, these jewel-encrusted bands represent a whole series of personal feelings, not least of which is the promise to stay together forever.
Remaining eternally faithful is not the only reason to give an eternity ring to your partner however. It is common to present one to a woman to celebrate the birth of a child, a truly everlasting symbol of the dedication and commitment between and a man and a woman. Because eternity rings have gemstones set into the whole circumference of the band, some people like to let each stone represent a different aspect of their relationship. For example, one stone might represent each child born to them; another might represent a special anniversary or the number of years they have been married. Such seemingly trivial and arbitrary assigning of special events to the eternity ring makes it a very personal and important piece of jewelry.
So whereas a beautiful engagement ring holds meaning and fond memories of a marriage proposal and the promise to enter into married life together; and whereas the wedding ring symbolises the vows to stay together forever and to look after each other; it is the eternity ring that represents the wonderful shared experiences that a couple have for the rest of their lives, after the wedding ceremony has become a distant memory.
It is perhaps for this reason that an eternity ring should be considered as an intrinsic part of the wonderful trilogy of love rings gifted between a man and a woman, symbolizing their relationship before marriage, the wedding promises themselves, and the happy ever after.