A Complete Guide to Buying Diamond Eternity Bands

A ring that has been rising in popularity over the past couple of years, is the exquisite diamond eternity band. The ring is a perfect gift for anniversaries, birthday celebrations, and special events. Even though the diamond eternity band is an excellent ring to compliment a wedding or engagement ring, it has become quite popular as a jewelry piece by itself. 
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​Diamond eternity bands can now be seen on many celebrity fingers as stand-alone engagement and wedding rings. Whether you want to purchase one as an engagement ring or as a special gift, there are a few guidelines you need to follow to buy the right one. 
Also named an infinity ring, the eternity band is a series of diamonds placed next to each other in a never-ending circle. When diamonds are placed in a full circle it is a symbolic meaning of eternal love, just like a circle. Some eternity rings, known as half-eternity rings, have diamonds set on only half the circle.

The ring is usually worn on the left hand’s ring finger. 
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As simple as the ring may be, it can come in a wide variety of styles and colors.  Making sure that the ring’s setting, style, and metal resemble the new owner’s acquired taste is important. 

1. Picking a Vendor

Before you start shopping and looking at different ring options, it’s important that you make sure you find a creditable, experienced, and reputable vendor. Picking a vendor that is well-known and has great recommendations will ensure that the ring is of high-quality. 
Some vendors take advantage of inexperienced diamond ring shoppers and will sell low-quality designs at sky-high prices. Buying diamond eternity bands from vendors who have great reputations will guarantee a high diamond quality, good service, and high-quality metal design. 

2. Diamonds, Setting, and Metal

There are three important characteristics to look out for when shopping for a diamond eternity band. The diamonds, the setting, and the precious metal used in making the band.

DIAMONDS

There are usually 14 diamonds in a common eternity ring. These aren’t as big as engagement ring diamonds. The reason for their size, is because the diamonds circle the whole finger. When the diamonds are too big it won’t be a comfortable fit. 

Diamonds that aren’t as big as an engagement or wedding ring won’t be certified – it’s just not economically feasible. That is why it’s so important to choose a credible vendor. Buying through a credible vendor will ensure that the small diamonds on the band isn’t damaged and are all the same cut and size. 

A simple and easy way to test whether diamonds are clean, is to hold it up to the light and see how light reflects on it. A good quality diamond will sparkle and won’t have visible imperfections and flaws. 

Diamonds should be brighter than the metal they are set in. 

Other than a wedding or engagement ring, you won’t receive a certification that grades the diamonds in the band. They can be cut in a variety of different shapes, too. The square diamond is the most common shape in bigger eternity rings. Round shaped are typically used in smaller eternity rings. It’s not uncommon for designers to combine a variety of diamond cuts and shapes in one eternity ring. It all depends on personal taste. 

SETTING

What makes the diamond eternity band so expensive isn’t only the diamonds, but the setting and design of the ring. The setting refers to the way in which they are held in place. There’s a wide variety of settings and designs available. The most common settings used are the channel, bezel, flush, and prong setting styles. 

Jewelers who make eternity bands need to have expertise and take care while creating the pieces. This ensures that none would fall out while wearing. It’s important that they are set in such a way that the optimum amount of light can bounce off of the diamonds. In effect, this creates a sparkle brilliance. 

https://www.theknot.com/content/engagement-ring-settings-101

METAL

Metal is usually decided by personal taste. If you want the eternity band to serve as an engagement ring accompaniment, then you need to make sure the metal colors match up. Rose gold, yellow gold, white gold, and platinum metals are usually used when creating the ring. 

The most important part is that the metal is durable and of high-quality. Chances are that you or that special someone will be wearing the ring every single day. Therefore, it needs to withstand water, holidays, and other external elements. 

To learn more about the differences between metals you can read this guide.

3. Size 

When measuring which size ring you need to purchase you have to measure the inner diameter. The inner diameter should be the same size as the person’s finger using a ring sizer. 

It’s important to consider personal preference before purchasing an eternity ring. Most women know what size looks good on their finger. For some a stack of small diamond eternity bands are a better option compared to a bulkier thicker eternity band. 

Look out for the carat total weight when browsing around for a ring. The carat total weight or ct. tw., refers to the combined weight of all the diamonds in the ring. 

The more the total carat weight, the bigger the diamonds. The less the total carat weight, the smaller the diamonds. Total carat weight for an eternity band can start from ¼ carats and range to an impressive 11 carats. 

The design of the setting and band will change as the carats increase. 

4. Design 

Anything is possible when you have an expert jeweler, metals, and precious stones to your disposal. You can add an extra row, or two, into your band. You can play around with different metals and gemstone combinations as well as carat weight. Shopping around and looking at different design options can give you a broader idea of what you might like. 

One thing is for certain, purchasing a diamond eternity band for yourself or someone special is a priceless and meaningful gift. ​