Is this trilogy of rings a thing of the past? Each ring marks a significant moment in a life story—surely the strength of these moments can outlast changing trends, even with the fast-paced shifts in fashion, lifestyle, and personal expression today? Let’s explore…
I’m sure you have heard or read somewhere about the historical development of the wedding, engagement, and eternity ring - but as a quick recap, please allow me:
The History of the Trilogy of Rings Set…
Engagement Ring 💍
Dating back to the Romans, engagement rings symbolised a public commitment. However, the first recorded diamond engagement ring was given in 1477 by Archduke Maximilian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy. This appeared to spark a trend among the noble folk of Europe who started to choose this type of engagement ring as a way of public betrothals.
Nowadays, engagement rings represent a promise to marry and have evolved from plain gold bands to intricate designs featuring diamonds and gemstones. But let’s be real - the real rise to fame of engagement rings was thanks to one thing: marketing. And the diamond giant De Beers was the mastermind behind it.
Wedding Ring 💒
Ancient Egypt is thought to be where wedding rings originated, with their circular shape symbolizing eternal love. The Romans adopted this practice, and by the Middle Ages, Christian wedding ceremonies solidified the use of rings as a marital symbol. Traditionally worn on the ring finger which is the fourth finger of the left hand (believed to contain the "vein of love"), wedding bands remain the ultimate emblem of lifelong commitment.
Eternity Ring ♾️
In 18th–19th century Europe, decorative bands started appearing, and some were gifted as anniversary rings or tokens of lasting love. But it wasn’t until the 1960s that the phrase Eternity Ring was coined by none other than - you guessed it - De Beers.
De Beers promoted it as a symbol of enduring love, often given after marriage (e.g., anniversaries, childbirth). This solidified its distinction from the wedding ring and was a genius approach to… wait for it… selling more diamonds!
So, now that you’re an expert, what can we say about the current and future popularity of these sentimental rings of precious metal and gemstones?
Current Popularity
Speak to any jeweller, especially in the United Kingdom, and they will no doubt tell you that wedding, engagement, and eternity rings are far from dead in the water. These three represent the most sought-after rings for any fine jeweller. In fact:
- Engagement ring sales are rebounding after a pandemic-induced slowdown.
- Wedding and eternity ring sales are growing steadily every year.
- Eternity rings, once seen as optional, are gaining traction again as couples look for milestone jewellery.
So it’s perhaps clear that their popularity is still alive and its also interesting to point out they are still predominantly made in the classic 4 precious metals - platinum, white gold, yellow gold and rose gold. But what is changing is preferences…
Tradition - Trend - Individuality
So traditionally, it was like this:
- You’d receive an engagement ring first, then your wedding ring, and on your first anniversary or after your first baby, the eternity ring.
- The engagement ring would hold at least one diamond, the wedding band would be plain, and the eternity ring would have diamonds all around.
- Oh yeah - and they would match perfectly!
That was the norm, and I’ve seen countless variations of these sets over the years. But over time, this approach has seen some big shifts…
Firstly, I’m seeing fewer plain wedding bands - it’s almost like if there’s a bare surface of metal, then you better stick a diamond or gemstone in it! You could say it’s like the wedding band has become the eternity ring!
And let’s talk engagement rings. The variety now is amazing - some people still love the classic solitaire and choose a diamond, but others are going completely off-piste with:
- Alternative stones (bi-coloured sapphires, salt-and-pepper diamonds, meterorite!)
- Unique cuts or diamond shape (hexagonal, kite, raw & un-faceted gems)
- Mixed metals and asymmetry
- Bespoke designs - because why have what everyone else has when you can have something unique?
Some humans love to copy, and some seemingly want to express their uniqueness and individuality. It seems like the latter is becoming more of a thing, with untraditional engagement rings being the choice of many, paralleled with a huge increase in bespoke rings.
Where is this all heading?
So, are we witnessing the end of the trilogy tradition, or is it just adapting to modern tastes?
There are two ways to look at it:
1️⃣ The Trilogy is Adapting, Not Disappearing
- The emotion and symbolism behind these rings haven’t changed - people still want to mark their love stories with jewellery.
- t’s just that the “rules” are loosening - no one’s saying you have to have a plain wedding band, a diamond engagement ring, and a matching eternity ring anymore.
- Instead, people are mixing and matching, choosing what works for them, rather than following tradition blindly.
2️⃣ The New Era: Mix, Match & Personalise
- Some couples skip one or two rings altogether, while others combine elements (wedding bands with diamonds, eternity-style engagement rings, etc.).
- The rise of stacking rings means that instead of a structured trilogy, people are building their own stories through multiple rings over time
- It’s all about self-expression now - whether that’s a vintage-inspired set, a bold untraditional design, or a modern take on the classic trilogy.
So, are Wedding, Engagement, and Eternity Rings a Thing of the Past?
Not at all. The way we wear them might be changing, but the sentiment behind them is as strong as ever.
Whether you go full trilogy, mix things up, or create something completely bespoke, the key is choosing rings that feel authentic to you - not just what tradition dictates.
What do you think?
Is the trilogy still relevant, or are we entering a new era of wedding jewellery? And feel free to take this opportunity to book an appointment with myself to discuss all your ring requirements.