Recognized all over the world as a joyous celebration of eternal love, the eternity band is often given as a wedding ring or on wedding anniversaries to symbolize a couple’s unbreakable commitment to one another. Though usually made with diamonds, modern jewelry designers have now taken to using other gemstones, namely sapphires and emeralds, to craft colorful eternity bands that are just as beautiful as they are meaningful.
In particular, an emerald eternity band can be a great gift to give to someone who was born in the month of May, or to celebrate a 20th anniversary. Here are a few things you need to know before purchasing one:
Which finger is the eternity band supposed to go on?
Eternity bands can be worn on any finger, really, but it’s good to consider which finger you’ll want to wear it on ahead of time. Doing so helps you narrow down the choices in terms of the setting style, as well as the size of the ring itself.
An emerald eternity band can be worn alone, but it can also be stacked with other rings, such as your engagement ring, wedding ring, or any of your other favorite rings to form a thicker band. If you do choose to wear it with your wedding or engagement ring, then go for a style that will complement those rings.
What is the best ring setting style?
The ring setting style will dictate the look of your eternity band, as well as how secure the gemstones will be. Most eternity bands make use of a pave setting to create a delicate-looking band that rests well against an engagement ring. Often, smaller gemstones are used in this style because it is meant to complement the star of the show–the engagement ring.
Another popular setting style for eternity bands is the split prong ring setting. In this setting, the emeralds are attached to the ring base using four prongs that grasp it. This allows more light to pass through, resulting in a brilliant sparkle.
If you lead an active lifestyle or do a lot of work with your hands, then you might want to opt for a more secure ring setting style, such as the bezel style or the channel style. It’s always best to ask your jeweler about the available settings before settling on a purchase.
What size should the gemstones be for an eternity band?
The size of the emeralds for an eternity band will depend on whether it is worn by itself, or stacked with other rings. It’s always a good idea to find a sensible middle ground for versatility.
Suzanne Kalan offers a wide variety of emerald eternity bands in their catalog. The emeralds used can be small and dainty, such as in this Thin Mix Emerald Eternity Band, which features 0.48 carats of vibrant emerald baguettes mixed with small round white diamonds. Other pieces make use of larger emeralds, such as in this Double Row Inlay Emerald Eternity Band, which makes use of 1.45 carats of both baguette and princess-cut emeralds.
If you plan on wearing your emerald eternity band stacked with other rings, then it might be better to go for one that features smaller gemstones. If you’re in the market for a showstopper of a piece, then larger gemstones can be more eye-catching.
How do I take care of my emerald eternity band?
Even the simplest of daily activities can be destructive to jewelry, especially pieces that are worn on the fingers, such as eternity bands. To keep from losing the gemstones on your ring or avoid it from having to be reset, you’ll want to keep the following in mind:
– Using your middle knuckles avoids putting pressure on the emeralds on your eternity band. It also prevents the metals from getting scratched or warped.
– Taking your eternity band off when performing intensive tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and washing the dishes will help prevent the gemstones from coming loose. It also minimizes grease and grime from building up on the surface of the stone and in between the crevices.
– Do not store your emerald eternity band with any diamonds in your jewelry collection. Diamonds are the hardest mineral in the world and they can scratch your emeralds.
