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What ARE promise rings for couples?
Miley Cyrus from the early 2000s, Liam Hemsworth and the Jonas Brothers are to thank for the revival of an ancient concept: the promise rings. The promise ring is not just for teenagers or puppy love. It can be worn by couples of any age. The act of receiving and giving a promise rings creates an emotional bond between two people, explains Nehal Zveri. He is the co-founder and vice President at Diamondwish.com. It is a symbol of their devotion to each other and symbolizes their shared journey.
We’ve put together a quick matching couple jewelry guide for those who want to learn more about promise rings. We also provide some details on how you can give or wear this unique accessory. Continue reading to learn everything you need.
What is a Promise Ring and What Does it Symbolize
A promise ring can be defined as a symbol that is worn to show commitment and loyalty. The promise ring shows that you are committed to nurturing and protecting the relationship. A promise ring can also be given to mark the beginning of an engagement. It is not limited to this, however. Some of my clients do not believe in marriage and give promise rings to signify a lasting relationship, says Benjamin Khordipour from Estate Diamond Jewelry.
A person’s age, finances, and locati0n can all be factors in deciding whether or not to give (or receive) a promise band. Couples in medical school may need to wait years before they are financially stable enough to repay a diamond or major loans. A couple that has one member working overseas might want to wait to get engaged until they can be physically together. Teenagers who are in love may not be mature enough for the adult aspects of marriage and cohabitation. In these situations, a promise rings serves as a placeholder to a future engagement. It does not start the planning process for a wedding.
History of Promise Rings
Khordipour claims that promise rings date back to Roman times. He claims that the Romans had to wait for a period of time before they could marry, and as a token of their commitment, they gave “promise rings”.
The 14th century brought us the romantic posy rings, worn by lovers as a sign of love. This piece, also known as “posey” and “poesy,” was a ring engraved with a poetic phrase in Latin or French to represent romantic feelings. Acrostic rings were popular in the 19th century and cleverly spell out words such as “regard” or “dearest”. (Regard was conveyed by an emerald garnet amethyst ruby and diamond. “Dearest” consisted a diamond emerald amethyst ruby sapphire and tourmaline. )1
People have started to give promise rings in the modern society as a kind of halfway guarantee. Khordipour explains that promise rings are used to indicate that the couple will eventually get married but they’re not yet ready. It gives both parties assurance that the relationship will continue.
What Is the Look of a Promise Ring?
The short answer to this question is that there is no answer. Promise rings come in many styles and can be customized to fit any taste. Zaveri notes that “the style chosen is a true representation and selection of the purchaser.” There are some popular styles that most people gravitate to, and we’ve highlighted them below.
Popular Promise Ring Styles
Smaller diamond rings. The large solitaire has long been associated to engagements. However, stones of 0.25 carats and less are often used as a promise ring.
Simple bands. A band-style ring can be made from precious metal or gemstones. It may also have initials engraved on it.
Birthstone rings. The ring can also be worn as an engagement ring.
Cluster rings. Cluster rings are made up of several stones that sparkle together like an engagement ring, but without trying to be one. Melanie Casey, a jeweler, says that the ring bridges this gap. It can be worn either on the left or right hand, and it doesn’t make someone look engaged when they’re not.