A promise ring is a ring given by one party to the other in a romantic relationship to indicate commitment. But what is the history behind this special tradition? What does it mean for today’s relationships?

What does a promise ring mean?

First of all, what does a promise ring really mean? The true meaning of a promise ring is commitment. The promise ring is given by one party as a symbol of loyalty, while the other party wears it to show their commitment. The difference between a promise ring and a chastity ring is often confusing. When you talk about abstinence – the ring parents give to their children or themselves – it is called a chastity ring. On the other hand, a promise ring is usually given as a symbol of commitment within the scope of a romantic relationship.

What is the history of promise rings?

Simon G. Jewelry’s Vice President of Marketing and Communication, Brooke Brinkman, stated that the idea of using rings to express love and affection can be traced back hundreds of years, and the tradition of wearing rings to express loyalty and loyalty can be traced back to ancient times. There is evidence to suggest that Roman brides in the 2nd century BC wore engagement rings. The poetic ring engraved with romantic lines can be traced back to 16th century England, and the acronym ring (spelled out as a word using gemstones) was very popular during the Georgian and Victorian eras. For example, ruby, emerald, garnet, amethyst, ruby, and diamond are combined to form “respect”, while diamond, emerald, amethyst, ruby, emerald, garnet, amethyst, ruby, sapphire, and topaz are combined to form “respect”.
Modern commitment rings have only become mainstream again in the past decade or so, largely due to the promotion of celebrity commitment rings.

What is the use of a promise ring?

Understanding the official definition and history of a commitment ring is certainly good, but what does a commitment ring mean for today’s couples? How will it affect your relationship? The specific and personal meaning may vary depending on the couple. “The appeal of a commitment ring largely comes from the multiple meanings it can represent,” said Kimberly Canary, Vice President of Public Relations and Social Media at Kay Jewelers. “Many couples give or wear commitment rings as a sign of future engagement, while others use them as a general symbol of mutual loyalty.”
“You are making a promise to each other,” Brinkman explained, as she received a promise ring from her current husband a year and a half before engagement. Although in Brinkman’s case, this ring was a promise for future engagement, the situation is not always the same. “I often think that commitment rings are similar to the tradition of the mid-20th century, which is to give your high school sweetheart your class ring or badge,” said Elizabeth Woolf Willis, marketing coordinator, research gemologist, and professional jeweler at Simon Jewelry. “Now you are not just ‘dating’ – you also have a physical symbol of your relationship to showcase to the outside world.”

What does a promise ring look like?

 

As far as the type of promise ring is concerned, anything is possible. To be honest, there are no rules or requirements here. Popular promise ring styles and themes include heart-shaped, infinite symbols or interwoven designs (representing a couple’s union), clada rings and eternal rings, as well as precious metal rings with birthstones, mosaics, or gemstone composites. It can also be a simple ring made of pure silver or gold with information engraved on it. Diamond commitment rings are also very popular, although they often have smaller carats and are set in clusters or rows, rather than classic single diamond engagement rings.

How does a promise ring work?

There are no formal rules to follow regarding who will give the promise ring when. The promise ring can be gifted by either party in a relationship. Due to the fact that both parties usually wear commitment rings as a symbol of commitment, couples can even exchange commitment rings. Basically, anyone in a romantic relationship can purchase or wear a commitment ring.