Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth of the early-aughts, along with the Jonas Brothers, are responsible for a revival in an old concept: The matching rings for couples. Although many associate promise rings with teens, puppy love and abstinence, the meaning and gesture behind them are much deeper. They can be used by couples of all ages. "The act is giving and receiving a ring creates emotional connections between two individuals," says Nehal Zaveri. Vice president and co-founder of Diamondwish.com, and Diamondstuds.com. It's a tangible symbol of the love they share for each other.
A jewelry for couples guide is provided below for those who are interested in knowing more about this unique piece of jewelry. It will help you to understand why promise rings remain popular over the years. Also, we give you some information on how to wear or gift this special accessory. Read on to find out everything you need.
What Is A Promise Ring -- And What Does It Mean?
The promise ring, in its simplest definition, is a ring that's given to someone and worn on their finger as a sign of commitment and loyalty. This ring tells the world your heart belongs to someone else and that you care about protecting and nurturing this relationship. Today, promise rings are often given in advance of a marriage proposal, but they can also be given as a token of love. Some of my customers don't believe in marriage so they gift promise rings as a sign of a long lasting relationship.
The factors of age, geography, and finances can all influence the decision to give or receive a promise ring. For example, a couple in medical college may not be financially secure enough for a diamond and large loans. Or, a couple where one of the members is on a work assignment overseas may wait until their physical relationship is established before committing to an engagement. A teenager in love might be too young to handle the adult aspects that come with cohabitation and marriage. In such scenarios, the promise ring can be used to indicate a future relationship without starting the planning of a wedding.
History of Promise Rings
Khordipour says that the promise rings concept dates back to Roman times. He says that Romans had a set period before marriage and would give their partners "promise ring" as a symbol of commitment.
In the 14th Century, the posy ring was introduced as a romantic symbol of love between lovers. Also known as "poesy" or "posey," the piece featured a band with a short poem (often in Latin or French), which was meant to express romantic feelings. Acrostic rings from the 19th-century cleverly represented words like "regard", "dearest", and more in gemstones. "Regard" could be communicated using an emerald or garnet and amethyst and ruby. While, "dearest", a diamond and emerald and amethyst and ruby. )1
In today's society people give promise rings to show that they are still committed. Khordipour says that people give promise rings to say they will get married eventually, but are not ready yet. It gives both partners reassurance that their relationship will continue.
What Does A Promise Ring Look Like
The short version is: there isn't one! As with engagement rings, promise bands are available in various styles. They can also be tailored to meet the individual tastes of each person. Zaveri says that the style is really a choice and representation by the buyer. We have highlighted below a few styles that are popular amongst individuals.
Popular Promise Ring Styles
Smaller diamond rings. Smaller diamond rings.
Simple bands. Band-style promise rings are a subtler option. They can be set with gemstones or engraved with the couple's initials.
Birthstone rings. It is best to give the wearer their birthstone, so that the ring may be worn with an engagement ring in the future.
Cluster rings. The cluster rings look like engagement rings without actually trying to imitate one. Melanie Casey says it bridges the gap. It can be worn on both hands and does not make people appear engaged when they don't.
