Full Eternity Rings

A full eternity ring carries its stones around the entire circumference of the band — no plain underside, no visible break in the line of diamonds. The effect is distinct from a half-set band: the stones are present whether the ring is lying flat on a surface or turning on the finger. This collection of 18 made-to-order rings covers the principal full-set configurations: shared-claw, channel-set, rub-over and pavé, all available in gold or platinum and all made to order in our Hatton Garden workshop. They are worn as anniversary or milestone rings, as wedding bands in their own right, and — when chosen with care for profile and width — stacked alongside an existing engagement ring or wedding ring.

The collection spans a broad price range: the Vogue Lab Grown Eternity Ring at £632 and the Adarna Eternity Ring at £766 sit at the accessible end of the range, while the Anastasia Eternity Ring at £2,789 represents the upper end, with a higher total diamond weight in 18ct gold or platinum. Every ring in the collection is set with certified diamonds, coloured diamonds or gemstones — the setting style and metal are fixed per design, but the stone specification can be discussed at the point of order.

Every ring is hallmarked at the London Assay Office, finished by hand, and delivered with complimentary insured UK shipping. A lifetime warranty and free resizing apply to every order — though the nature of a full-set band means resizing involves rebuilding part of the setting, and this is covered in detail below.

What is a full eternity ring?

A full eternity ring is a band in which stones are set continuously around the entire circumference — top, sides and underside — with no gap in the line. This distinguishes it from a half-eternity ring, where stones run across the upper hemisphere only and the underside is plain metal. The half-set configuration is more common in the UK as an everyday wedding or anniversary band because it accommodates resizing; the full-set ring trades that flexibility for an unbroken visual statement.

The four main full-set constructions in this collection are shared-claw (also called shared-prong), where adjacent claws grip neighbouring stones; channel-set, where stones sit in a continuous groove between two metal walls; rub-over (or bezel), where each stone is enclosed individually by a collar of metal; and pavé, where small diamonds are set in a bed of metal with minimal visible metal between them. Each construction has a different profile above the finger, a different level of stone security, and a different character when worn against other rings.

Full versus half eternity: choosing between them

The practical case for a half-set band is straightforward: it can be resized by one to two sizes without disturbing the stones, because the plain underside provides metal to add or remove. A full-set band cannot be resized in the same way — adjusting the circumference requires removing and re-setting the stones across the adjusted section, which is skilled work and carries a workshop charge. For a ring that will be worn for decades and through body-weight changes, the half-set specification carries less risk.

The case for a full-set band is the unbroken line of stones. When the ring is lifted from the finger, held up to the light, or simply noticed mid-gesture, there is no plain section to interrupt the setting. For a wedding band worn as the primary ring, or for an anniversary piece given to mark a significant milestone, the full-set reads as a more deliberate choice. If finger size is stable and the symbolism of a continuous circle matters to the wearer, a full eternity ring is the right specification. If there is any doubt about long-term fit, a half-set band is the more practical alternative — our eternity ring collection carries both configurations.

When a full eternity ring is given

In the UK, a full eternity ring is most commonly given at a significant wedding anniversary — the tenth, twenty-fifth or fortieth are all traditional occasions — or to mark the birth of a first or second child. In both cases the ring reads as a statement of permanence: the stones encircle the finger without interruption, and the gesture is understood to match. It is also given as an upgrade to an earlier half-set eternity ring, where a client who wore a simpler band in the early years of a marriage returns to commission something with greater presence.

Worn as a wedding band at the ceremony itself, a full eternity ring is less conventional but increasingly chosen — particularly when the engagement ring is a plain metal band or a simple solitaire. The Paragon Eternity Ring at £907 and the Olympia Eternity Ring at £893, both slim full-set bands, sit comfortably in this role. For clients who want a contemporary alternative to the traditional plain gold wedding ring, a full-set diamond band makes the statement that the wedding ring is itself a jewellery piece, not merely a marker of status.

Setting styles and how they wear

Shared-claw settings hold each stone with prongs shared between adjacent diamonds, maximising the visible stone surface and allowing the most light into the girdle of each diamond. They are the most open full-set construction and the most common in this collection — the Allya Eternity Ring at £1,428 is a representative example, with round brilliant diamonds in a continuous shared-claw run. The trade-off is that fine prongs can wear over decades and benefit from an occasional inspection, particularly on the underside where the claws are hardest to see.

Channel settings enclose stones between two parallel walls of metal with no prongs above the stone surface. The profile is lower, the ring sits flatter against the finger, and the setting is more resistant to snagging on clothing. Rub-over and pavé constructions sit between these two extremes in terms of profile and openness. The Ballerina Eternity Ring at £1,020 and the Marylebone Eternity Ring at £819 illustrate contrasting approaches to profile and stone coverage within the same full-set family. Whatever the construction, routine inspection every two to three years is advisable on any fully-set band — stones on the underside are subject to more impact than those on the upper face.

Lab-grown and natural diamonds in this collection

Two rings in this collection are offered explicitly in lab-grown diamond versions alongside their natural counterparts: the Paragon Lab Grown Eternity Ring at £785 against the Paragon at £907, and the Vogue Lab Grown Eternity Ring at £632 against the Vogue at £733. The difference in price reflects the difference in the diamond market for each stone type; the cut, setting and metal are identical between the two versions.

Both natural and lab-grown diamonds in this collection are certified by GIA, IGI or HRD — the same independent grading laboratories used for loose diamonds across the house. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically and optically identical to mined diamonds; the distinction is origin, not appearance. We present both options without advocacy. The right choice depends on the wearer's priorities — budget headroom, environmental considerations, or the provenance of a natural stone — and both are equally supported by our lifetime warranty and return policy.

Stacking with an engagement ring or wedding ring

A full eternity ring sits against other rings differently from a half-set band. Because stones run all the way around, the ring cannot tuck neatly underneath an engagement ring's setting — any high-set solitaire or halo will hold the eternity ring slightly away from the finger on the underside. For most wearers this is imperceptible in practice, but it is worth considering. The most natural pairing is a full eternity ring alongside a low-set or bezel engagement ring, or worn on the opposite hand entirely.

Width is the other consideration. A full eternity ring between 1.8mm and 2.4mm sits against most engagement rings without visually dominating; a band above 3mm tends to read as a standalone piece and works better worn alone or with a plain wedding band on the same finger. The Tea Petite Eternity Ring at £1,297 — a slim, refined full-set band — illustrates how a narrower full-eternity profile can integrate with an existing ring stack without overwhelming it. If the intended pairing is with a specific engagement ring, our workshop can advise on width and profile compatibility at the consultation stage.

Made to order at President Jewellers

Every full eternity ring in this collection is made to order in our Hatton Garden workshop. Lead time from order confirmation is 7 to 14 working days — simpler single-row bands at the faster end, rings with higher stone counts or more intricate settings at the longer end. The process begins with a CAD rendering reviewed before any metalwork, followed by a silver or wax sample available to try on at the Hatton Garden showroom. Casting, setting and finishing are completed in-house; hallmarking is at the London Assay Office; and insured UK delivery is complimentary on every order, with no minimum spend.

Because full eternity rings cannot be resized by conventional means — removing metal from the shank would require removing and re-setting the stones across that section — it is important to confirm finger size before the ring goes into production. We recommend sizing at the workshop where possible, particularly for rings in this collection; a silver sample try-on, included in the made-to-order process, allows the fit to be confirmed before casting begins. Every ring carries a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects, and our workshop team is available by appointment at Hatton Garden throughout the process.

Frequently asked questions

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

A full eternity ring has stones set all the way around the band — the underside is set as well as the upper face, so there is no plain metal visible from any angle. A half eternity ring has stones across the upper hemisphere only, with a plain metal underside. The practical consequence is resizing: a half-set band can be adjusted by one to two sizes without disturbing the stones; a full-set band cannot be resized conventionally, because the stones run through the section that would need to be altered. If there is any uncertainty about long-term finger size, a half-set band is the more flexible specification.

Can a full eternity ring be resized?

Not by conventional methods. Resizing a plain-shank ring involves adding or removing metal from the underside; on a full eternity ring, the stones occupy that section. Resizing is technically possible — it requires removing the stones from the affected section, adjusting the metal, and re-setting them — but it is skilled workshop work and carries a charge proportionate to the number of stones disturbed. This is a property of the full-set design, not specific to any brand. We recommend confirming finger size carefully before the ring enters production; our silver sample try-on at the Hatton Garden workshop is specifically designed to allow this.

How much does a full eternity ring cost in the UK?

In this collection, prices run from £632 for the Vogue Lab Grown Eternity Ring to £2,789 for the Anastasia Eternity Ring. The principal variables are total diamond weight, metal choice and setting complexity. A 9ct gold band with a lower total carat weight sits at the accessible end; an 18ct gold or platinum ring with a higher stone count sits above £1,500. Most clients in this collection settle between £800 and £1,500. Lab-grown diamond options, available on selected designs, bring the price down by roughly 10–15 per cent for an equivalent visual result.

Are the diamonds in full eternity rings certified?

Yes. Every diamond in this collection is independently certified by GIA, IGI or HRD — the three principal grading laboratories used across the President Jewellers range. Certification confirms cut, colour, clarity and carat weight to an independent standard. For full eternity rings, where individual stones are typically smaller and graded as a matched parcel rather than individually, the batch certification is provided with the ring on delivery. If you require individual certificates for specific stones, this can be discussed at the consultation stage before the ring enters production.

How long does a full eternity ring take to make?

Seven to fourteen working days from order confirmation. Single-row shared-claw bands with a straightforward stone specification are at the faster end of that range; rings with pavé shoulders, higher stone counts, or bespoke modifications sit closer to fourteen days. The process includes a CAD review and, where required, a silver or wax sample try-on at our Hatton Garden workshop before casting begins. Insured UK delivery is included on every order. If the ring is needed for a specific date, contact us before placing the order and we will confirm whether the timeline is achievable.

What metals are available for full eternity rings?

9ct, 14ct and 18ct gold in yellow, white or rose, plus 950 platinum. The choice of metal affects both the ring's colour against the skin and its long-term wear characteristics. Platinum is the most durable option for a full-set ring — its density means claws and channel walls hold their shape well over decades. White gold achieves a similar colour through rhodium plating, which will wear and can be re-plated as a routine service every two to three years. Yellow and rose gold are unplated and retain their colour without maintenance; they suit warmer diamond grades particularly well. Every metal option is hallmarked at the London Assay Office.