Eternity Rings: Full and Half Bands, Sizing and Meaning

An eternity ring is one of the few pieces of jewellery that is defined by a single idea: stones that never stop. It is also one of the easiest to get wrong, because the decision between a full and a half band affects comfort, sizing and price for the rest of the ring’s life. I have used the Suzanne Kalan bands we stock to show the real differences, and you can browse every style in our eternity rings edit as you go. If you want one ring to hold in your mind while you read, make it the Classic Diamond Eternity Band in 18K Yellow Gold, with 1.60 carats of baguette diamonds.

An eternity ring is a band set with a continuous line of stones, usually diamonds, all the way round the finger. A half eternity band sets stones across the top only, which is more comfortable and can be resized. At Coveti, Suzanne Kalan eternity bands start at around $3,930, and half bands start at around $2,020.

What an eternity ring means

The unbroken circle of stones stands for love without end, which is why eternity rings are traditionally given for anniversaries and for the birth of a child. Plenty of people now buy them for themselves, to mark a milestone with no partner involved. There is no rule that says otherwise.

Many people wear an eternity ring alongside an engagement ring and wedding band, so the three need to sit well together. Our existing post on how to wear a wedding and engagement ring covers the order on the finger. Here I will stick to the eternity ring itself.

Full against half eternity

This is the decision that matters most. Take it slowly.

Full eternity

A full eternity band has stones all the way round. It looks the same from every angle, so it never needs straightening, and it carries more stones, which gives it more sparkle and more weight. The trade-off is practical. Because there is no plain metal to cut and rejoin, a full eternity band generally cannot be resized, and stones on the underside can press against the fingers either side, especially when you grip a bag handle.

Half eternity

A half eternity band, sometimes just called a half band, has stones across the top half only. The plain gold underneath allows resizing, makes the ring more comfortable for everyday use, and lets it sit flush against other rings when you stack. It also costs less, because it uses fewer stones.

The same ring, two ways

Suzanne Kalan makes several designs in both versions, which makes the difference easy to see. The Classic Diamond Icon Half Band in 18K Yellow Gold has 0.44 carats of baguette and round diamonds for around $6,280 at Coveti. The Classic Diamond Icon Eternity Band in 18K Yellow Gold has 0.81 carats for around $8,340. Nearly double the diamonds for about a third more money.

The Short Stack design, vertical baguettes above a row of round diamonds, tells a similar story. The Classic Diamond Short Stack Half Band in 18K Yellow Gold holds 0.70 carats for around $8,630, while the full eternity version carries 1.40 carats for around $11,860.

My advice: if you work with your hands, wear rings stacked, and suspect your size may change, choose a half band. If the ring will mostly be worn alone and you want the full circle of light, go full.

Sizing an eternity ring

Sizing matters more here than with almost any other ring, because a full band is so hard to alter afterwards. Suzanne Kalan uses US ring sizes, offered from 4 to 11 including quarter sizes across the range, and most styles are made from 6 to 7.5.

Have your finger measured at the end of the day, when it is at its largest, and in a warm room. A band wider than about 3 mm needs a fraction more room than a slim one. If you are between sizes for a full eternity band, go up a quarter rather than down. Our ring size chart explains how to measure at home.

Choosing the stones

Baguette diamonds

Baguettes are long rectangular step cuts, and they are what Suzanne Kalan is known for. Her Fireworks setting places them at offset, scattered angles, so each stone picks up light independently. On a ring that turns a band into something closer to a scatter of light than a neat row. Our article on Suzanne Kalan Fireworks baguette jewellery explains why it looks so different. The Classic Diamond Eternity Band, at 1.60 carats for around $10,690, is the purest example.

Round diamonds

A round brilliant has 57 to 58 facets and gives the traditional eternity ring sparkle. The Classic Diamond Midi Round Eternity Band in 18K White Gold sets 1.77 carats of round diamonds for around $12,450. For something very fine, the Classic Diamond Ivy Eternity Band in 18K Yellow Gold has 0.20 carats of round diamonds for around $4,220 at Coveti.

Princess-cut diamonds

Princess cuts are square brilliants, so they sit side by side with almost no gap, which gives a very solid line of light. The Princess Midi Diamond Eternity Band in 18K Rose Gold uses 2 x 2 mm stones, 1.58 carats in total, for around $10,980. At the top of the range, the Princess Milli Stacker Diamond Eternity Band in 18K Yellow Gold carries 6.22 carats of princess-cut diamonds, around $42,150.

Coloured stones

Sapphire eternity rings are a lovely way to mark a birth with a colour that means something. Sapphire is corundum, 9 on the Mohs scale, so it wears very well. The Frenzy Rainbow Sapphire Eternity Band in 18K Rose Gold, with baguettes set at deliberately uneven angles, combines 2.10 carats of rainbow sapphires with 0.27 carats of round diamonds for around $8,340.

Ruby and emerald versions exist too. Emerald is beryl, 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, and more brittle, so an emerald eternity band is better as a weekend ring than for daily life at a keyboard.

Flush-set and inlay bands

If you want an eternity ring that will not catch on knitwear, look at a flush setting. Suzanne Kalan’s Inlay collection sets stones flush into polished gold. The Inlay Diamond Eternity Band in 18K White Gold has 0.80 carats of baguettes for around $11,280. It is the most practical full band in the range, because nothing stands proud of the metal.

Gold and carat weight of metal

Most Suzanne Kalan eternity bands are 18 carat gold, which is 75% pure. The Amalfi and Nadima collections also use 14 carat gold, 58.5% pure, which is slightly harder and a little less expensive. All three colours are available across most designs. White gold is usually rhodium plated and may need re-plating over the years, which matters on a ring you wear every day.

For a softer price point in colour, the Amalfi collection lines baguette gemstones edge to edge. The Amalfi White Topaz Half Band in 14K Rose Gold is around $2,690 at Coveti. Our Suzanne Kalan Amalfi guide walks through the colours.

Stacking eternity bands

Eternity bands were made to stack. Two slim bands either side of an engagement ring is the classic arrangement, but a stack of three to five bands on their own looks just as considered.

Mix widths and cuts so the stack has rhythm: a slim round diamond band, a baguette band, a plain gold band, then something with colour. The Thin Mix Diamond Eternity Band in 18K White Gold, 0.66 carats of baguette and round diamonds for around $5,400, was designed as a slim stacking band and works as the anchor of almost any stack. Choose half bands for most of the stack if comfort matters, since the plain gold underneath lets them sit closer together. Our sibling guide to stackable rings has more combinations.

Caring for an eternity ring

Eternity rings take more knocks than most jewellery, because they are on the hand. Clean diamonds and sapphires with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Skip ultrasonic cleaners for emeralds. Take rings off for the gym, gardening and cooking with your hands. Every year, ask a jeweller to check that each stone is secure, since a full band has more settings to keep an eye on than a half band.

Buying a Suzanne Kalan eternity ring at Coveti

Suzanne Kalan has made jewellery since 1988, and every piece is handcrafted and made in America. Coveti carries 300 of her eternity bands and 308 half bands, all 100% authentic, and we ship worldwide from London. Explore every collection on the Suzanne Kalan brand page.

Frequently asked questions

What is an eternity ring?

An eternity ring is a band set with a continuous line of stones, usually diamonds, that runs all the way round the finger. The unbroken circle stands for lasting love, which is why eternity rings are traditionally given for anniversaries and for the birth of a child. Many people also buy one for themselves.

What is the difference between a full and a half eternity ring?

A full eternity ring has stones all the way round, while a half eternity ring has stones across the top half only. The half band is more comfortable, easier to stack and can be resized because of the plain gold underneath. A full band carries more stones, so it sparkles from every angle.

Can you resize an eternity ring?

A half eternity ring can usually be resized, because the plain gold at the back can be cut and rejoined. A full eternity ring generally cannot, since stones run all the way round and there is no plain metal to work with. That is why accurate sizing matters so much before you buy a full band.

Which finger do you wear an eternity ring on?

Most people wear an eternity ring on the ring finger of the left hand, alongside the engagement ring and wedding band, often stacked outside them. There is no fixed rule, though, and the right hand works equally well, especially for an eternity ring bought for yourself to mark a personal milestone.

How much does an eternity ring cost?

Prices depend on carat weight, cut and metal. At Coveti, Suzanne Kalan eternity bands start at around $3,930 with a median of around $10,980, while half bands start at around $2,020 with a median of around $3,340. The Princess Milli Stacker Diamond Eternity Band, with 6.22 carats, is around $42,150.

When do you give an eternity ring?

Eternity rings are traditionally given to mark a wedding anniversary and to celebrate the birth of a child. Some couples choose a first anniversary, others a milestone such as ten years. There is no set occasion, and an eternity ring makes an equally meaningful gift for a personal achievement you want to remember.

What ring sizes do Suzanne Kalan eternity bands come in?

Suzanne Kalan uses US ring sizes, from 4 to 11 including quarter sizes across the range, and most eternity band styles are made from size 6 to 7.5. Measure at the end of the day, when fingers are largest, and go up a quarter size if you fall between sizes for a full band.