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Antique Diamond Eternity Rings

Antique diamond Eternity Rings, also known as infinity rings, are the perfect gift for your beloved to show your eternal love and commitment. They can also be worn alongside a diamond engagement ring, or as a wedding band.  Each of our Eternity Rings is unique, with individual characteristics and craftsmanship which you don’t get with modern jewellery. You can opt for antique or vintage eternity bands if you want to add a touch of old-world elegance to your overall look for any special occasion.

At Friar House we stock a wide variety of antique diamond eternity rings, available in a range of sizes with both thinner and thicker band widths. Explore our gorgeous collection of antique diamond eternity rings.

Note: A full set Eternity Ring cannot be resized.

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The eternity ring: origins and design

The eternity ring - a band set continuously, or near-continuously, with diamonds or gemstones around the full circumference - became established in its familiar form in the early 20th century, though the idea of an unbroken circle as a symbol of continuing love is much older. Full eternity rings, set all the way round, are the traditional antique eternity ring form; half eternity rings, set only across the top, were developed partly for practicality, since stones on the underside of an eternity ring wear and catch far more than those on top.

Setting style varies with period across our diamond eternity ring collection. Art Deco eternity rings tend to use platinum with sharp claw or channel settings and calibre-cut stones for a crisp, continuous line, while earlier antique eternity rings may use grain or collet settings in gold. Whether you are looking for a full eternity ring or a half eternity ring, the setting style is a good guide to when the piece was made.

Styles in our eternity ring collection

We stock full eternity rings and half eternity rings from the Art Deco period onwards, set with diamonds and, in some designs, coloured gemstones alternating with diamonds. Our antique diamond eternity rings range from delicate Edwardian designs to bold Art Deco eternity rings with geometric channel settings, giving you a wide choice of eternity ring styles across different eras and budgets.

Diamond eternity rings remain a popular choice for wedding anniversaries as well as engagement and wedding jewellery, and many customers choose an antique eternity ring specifically to mark a significant year. We can help you find an eternity ring that matches a specific anniversary or occasion.

Buying an eternity ring: what to look for

Each eternity ring in our collection is checked stone by stone, since a loose or worn claw on a diamond eternity ring is easy to miss without close inspection given how many settings are involved. We describe the diamond quality across the full eternity ring, noting any variation in colour or clarity between stones.

Sizing is worth discussing before you buy a full eternity ring in particular, since the continuous setting can make later resizing more difficult than with an eternity ring that has plain metal at the back of the shank. Ask us about this when you enquire about any full or half eternity ring in our collection.

Visit us or browse online

Our eternity ring collection changes regularly as new pieces come in. Contact us directly if you are searching for a specific eternity ring style or stone combination, or visit our shop at 29 High Street, Battle, East Sussex, open Monday to Saturday, 10:15 to 17:00.

Expertly Curated ByVictoria Dahms Victoria DahmsAntique Jewellery Expert
Victoria has 30 years experience curating the finest antique and vintage jewellery
Victoria's Story
Questions

Common Questions

No - a full eternity ring set with stones all the way around cannot be resized in the conventional sense. The stones run continuously through the area where metal would be removed or added. Please check your ring size carefully before purchasing. We are happy to advise on measuring accurately and can provide a ring size guide on request. This is the most important practical consideration when buying an antique eternity ring.

An eternity ring features a continuous band of stones set around the full circumference - the unbroken circle symbolising eternal love and commitment. Antique examples predate the modern eternity ring that became popular in the 1960s De Beers campaign. Victorian and Edwardian eternity rings are set with old mine or old European cut diamonds with a warmth and character quite different from modern brilliant-cut stones.

A full eternity ring has stones set continuously around the entire band. A half eternity ring has stones set only across the top, leaving the lower half of the band in plain metal. Half eternity rings can be resized, are more comfortable for some wearers, and are generally less expensive. Both types appear in our antique collection. Full eternity rings tend to command higher prices for equivalent stone quality because of the additional stones and craftsmanship.

Old mine cuts are most common in Victorian examples - their slightly square outline suits the collet and channel settings of the period well. Old European cuts appear in Edwardian and early Art Deco rings as cutting styles evolved toward the rounder form. Single-cut (eight-cut) diamonds are used in smaller rings where the reduced number of facets suits the scale of the stones. All these antique cuts have a warmth and depth distinct from modern brilliant cutting.

Antique eternity rings stack well with both engagement rings and plain bands. For a period-sympathetic look, pair with a plain polished gold or platinum band and your engagement ring. The eternity ring is traditionally worn closest to the heart - innermost on the finger - though this is personal preference. We are happy to advise on combination ideas if you share details of your other rings.

Absolutely. Antique eternity rings make beautiful alternatives to plain wedding bands and are very much in the tradition of how these pieces were originally given and worn. They combine the symbolism of the unbroken circle with the added brilliance of diamonds. They pair beautifully with an antique engagement ring from the same period - a matching Victorian or Edwardian set is a particularly lovely combination.

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