When to Give an Eternity Ring: Anniversaries, Push Presents, and Milestones
Unlike an engagement ring or wedding band, an eternity ring doesn't come with a built-in occasion. There's no proposal moment, no ceremony date forcing the timing. That freedom is exactly what makes the question "when do I actually give one" come up so often — the honest answer is that tradition offers a few natural moments, but none of them are rules.
TL;DR: The most common eternity ring occasions are significant wedding anniversaries (10th, 20th, 25th are traditional milestones), the birth of a child, and vow renewals. A growing number are given simply as an unprompted gesture, with no occasion attached at all. There's no rule that says it has to wait for a milestone.
Significant Anniversaries
This is the most traditional occasion, and for good reason — an eternity ring's symbolism (a continuous, unbroken circle of stones) maps directly onto the idea of an enduring marriage. The 10th anniversary is a common starting point, with the 20th and 25th (silver) anniversaries also popular choices for a more significant piece. There's no rule that ties eternity rings to specific anniversary years the way some cultures assign gifts (paper, silver, gold) to milestones — any anniversary that feels significant to the couple is a reasonable occasion.
The Birth of a Child
Often called a "push present" or "push gift," an eternity ring given around the birth of a child marks the milestone rather than the marriage itself. This has become one of the more common contemporary reasons to commission one, particularly for a first child. Some couples choose to add a stone for each subsequent child to an existing eternity ring rather than commissioning a new one each time — worth discussing with your jeweller at the outset if this is something you might want to do later.
Vow Renewals
A vow renewal is a natural moment to add an eternity ring to an existing set, particularly for milestone renewals (10, 25, or 50 years) where the couple wants to mark the occasion with something more than words. Because the ring is joining an existing wedding band and engagement ring, matching metal and proportions to what's already worn matters more here than in almost any other eternity ring scenario.
No Occasion at All
An increasing number of eternity rings are given without any specific milestone attached — simply because the moment felt right, as an unprompted gesture of appreciation, or as a self-purchase entirely separate from a relationship milestone. There's genuinely no rule requiring an occasion. If the idea of giving or commissioning one appeals to you, that's reason enough.
Choosing the Right Moment for Your Situation
If you're planning to surprise your partner, anniversaries and vow renewals give you a natural, low-suspicion reason to be working with a jeweller in the months beforehand. If it's a joint decision — increasingly common for eternity rings, since it isn't tied to a proposal surprise — there's no need to wait for a specific date at all.
Planning Around a Date
If you're commissioning for a specific anniversary or occasion, allow the same lead time as a bespoke engagement ring — eight to twelve weeks from first consultation to delivery covers design, stone sourcing, production, and hallmarking. See our full full vs half eternity ring guide for the practical design decisions once you're ready to start.
Bespoke Eternity Rings at À Vie Diamonds
Whatever the occasion — or lack of one — we design eternity rings to sit properly alongside the rings already being worn. Read our complete eternity ring guide for the full detail on stones, metals, and full vs half designs, and get in touch to start planning around your date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What anniversary is traditional for an eternity ring? The 10th, 20th, and 25th anniversaries are the most commonly cited traditional milestones, though there is no fixed rule and any significant anniversary is a reasonable occasion.
Can you add stones to an eternity ring over time? Some designs allow for this, particularly if planned for at the outset — worth discussing with your jeweller if you anticipate wanting to mark future milestones on the same ring.
Do you need a reason to buy an eternity ring? No. While anniversaries, births, and vow renewals are traditional occasions, an increasing number of eternity rings are given or self-purchased without any specific milestone attached.
Last reviewed: July 2026 · À Vie Diamonds