The Ins and Outs of Promise Rings

What is a promise ring, you may ask? It is a special ring which comes before an engagement ring, and it promises that the giver and recipient are pledged to one another, even though they are not yet formally engaged. Read more about the ins and outs of this old custom, and learn whether a promise ring might be right for you.

An engagement is a very serious commitment, and at times may be too official a step for a young couple to make. Yet, at the same time, if a man and woman are in a very serious relationship which both intend will one day lead to marriage, just being boyfriend and girlfriend may not seem like enough. Enter the promise ring, also sometimes referred to as a pre-engagement ring. The purpose of the promise ring is to be less of a commitment than an official piece of wedding jewelry like the engagement ring, but a serious pledge and a promise that the relationship is headed down the path to engagement at some point in the future.

There are many situations in which a promise ring might be in order. It can be a wonderful way for a very young couple to show that they are serious about their relationship, without becoming officially engaged if they feel that they are too young to get married. Promise rings are popular among people who travel extensively for work, as in the case of military deployments or in the case of a long separation caused by one half of the couple moving away to attend college. The pain of an extended separation might be eased considerably by the love and commitment implied by the promise ring.

The promise ring is generally worn on the ring finger of the left hand until such time as it is replaced by an official engagement ring. Although it is nice if the style of the promise ring is compatible with the rest of the wedding jewelry which follows, one would not typically wear the promise ring and engagement ring together on the same finger. Typically, the promise ring will be moved to the ring finger of the right hand once the woman has her engagement ring. One thing is for certain: the promise ring will be a beloved and sentimental favorite piece of jewelry.

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