Guide for Choosing a Promise Ring

We all know that picking out an engagement ring has all sorts of rules and norms regarding the type of ring, when you ask, where you wear the ring, etc. For Promise Rings, it is a bit of the Wild West. People might tell you there are traditions involved or a specific time in the relationship to give a Promise Ring, but it's all made up at the end of the day. So, while this is all nonsense and you should provide whatever symbol of love that is personally significant to you, we can still have a conversation on what a Promise Ring means since they are a “thing” people sometimes give.

When to Give a Promise Ring

When do you give a Promise Ring? Whenever you want!

Some people give it as a pre-engagement ring, signifying their intention to get engaged in the future. Maybe the couple doesn’t have money for a full engagement now, or perhaps they’re trying to finish school, a military campaign, etc. It’s a gesture that says, “We can’t right now, but we will.” As with most Promise Rings, this is highly personal and subjective. Other couples give it as a faux wedding ring. Perhaps they are not interested in getting married but still want to share something that signifies their faithfulness to one another. A Promise Ring’s significance and symbolism are constrained only by the giver and the wearer.

The list of scenarios that can lead a couple to exchange Promise Rings can be far and wide. While typically associated with youth and teenage love, a Promise Ring shouldn’t be constrained by these perceptions. It is a multidimensional symbol that can be treated in a variety of ways. As such, Promise Rings should be appreciated for their versatility as well as their beauty.

Where to Wear a Promise Ring

While the loose nature regarding Promise Rings extends to how they are worn, there are a few norms regarding their usage. More often than not, a Promise Ring will be worn on the left-hand ring finger, just like an engagement ring or wedding band. If and when an engagement ring or wedding band is added to the mix, the Promise Ring can easily be transferred to the right-hand ring finger.

As stated, though, this is simply the norm. You can ultimately wear your Promise Ring on whatever finger you like, or even no finger at all, as some prefer to hang it from a necklace. The important thing to remember is to make its meaning and location important to you and your significant other.

Can Men Wear Promise Rings

While Promise Rings are normally considered “Pre-Engagement Rings” that doesn’t mean men shouldn’t wear them. Many Promise Rings are exchanged between a pair of individuals as a Couple’s Ring. In this sense, the ring takes on a “Pre-Wedding Band” significance, which can have a more profound importance as each member is making a promise to the other.

Particular jewelers design their rings with this in mind, making his and hers rings that can either be unpretentiously similar to each other or intricately crafted to combine to form a single ring. These types of Promise Rings can take on a deeper meaning for a couple and can be highly fashionable at the same time.

A Promise Ring can be as ornate as you like, but usually, a man’s ring will be subtle. This example from James Allen is classically beautiful without drawing too much attention.

How to go about Choosing a Promise Ring

We know that we can give it whenever we want, and wear it wherever we want, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that a Promise Ring can be whatever you want.

As the name implies, it is more often than not a ring. However, it can be something else, such as a pendant, a broach, or an eternity ring. The important thing to remember is that it is a symbol of your love and commitment. That being said, Promise Rings do have a typical style all on their own.

Diamonds or Gemstones?

Affordability is often closely related to Promise Rings. Because of the nature of the relationship, time spent together, or the age of the giver/recipient, the budget for a Promise Ring usually is much tighter than that of a typical engagement ring. These price constraints will almost certainly make a large diamond solitaire unnecessarily expensive.

Luckily beautiful Pavé or Cluster settings can give smaller diamonds a significant presence. Or a more straightforward ring with Channel set diamonds can be used. By removing a large solitaire from the equation, a beautiful and dramatic ring can be had for a fraction of the price.

An alternative to diamonds are gemstones. Many purchasers of Promise Rings elect to go with gemstones because of the multitude of options available. An individual might have a love for their birth month. This example here from Blue Nile is adorned with Aquamarine gemstones to celebrate March birth months.

You don’t necessarily need to celebrate your birth month, though. Maybe you want to remember the month you first met, or perhaps you want to celebrate the month when you first promised to be faithful to each other. The beauty of the Promise Ring is that it can be whatever you want. By adding gemstones to that mix, the possibility to make the ring significant to you and your couple is only increased.

No Stones at All?

As we’ve stressed, the beauty of a Promise Ring is that it can be whatever you want. Sometimes, whatever you want can be no stones at all. Just a simple band. If this is what you need to remind yourself of your beloved partner, then so be it. A white gold or platinum band can still be personalized with an engraving or design.

There are no rules to Promise Rings, so if you want a simple band, don’t be afraid to make it your own.

Where to Buy Your Promise Ring

Much like engagement rings, shopping online can lead to significant savings when choosing a Promise Ring. While it may be tempting to pick up a cheaply made silver ring from a large online retailer, the beauty and presence of a finely made gold or platinum ring will be worth it in the long run. Our favorite online retailers have a variety of styles and options to choose from. As you can see with our selections above, the prices can be very reasonable, and the result will be a beautiful piece of jewelry that will carry your bond and love with you, always.

Don’t want to worry about what the best option is when buying your Promise Ring? Would you like us to help you with your diamond ring search? Contact us and we will provide you with a one-on-one service that will get you the best Promise Ring and Engagement Ring!