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What Does a Promise Ring Mean and Is It Right for You?

This couple learned what does a promise ring mean and are wearing their rings and 'holding fingers' to show how they feel.

Couples build love and commitment using many layers. As you grow closer, you may want a way to celebrate how far you’ve come and where you’re going with the person you’re with. You want a serious, heartfelt symbol of love. But here’s the question: is a promise ring right for you, or is it time for an engagement ring? Let’s peel back the layers and see if we can solve this real-life relationship question.

A Little Background on Promise Rings
A promise ring shows your commitment to one another and your hope that your relationship will continue to grow. Promise rings are usually made from precious metals and accented with diamonds or other stones. These rings may sound like engagement rings, but a promise ring isn’t extravagant in style. They tend to be simple but beautiful, and some women choose to wear them as a fashion band even after they get married. The cost for a high-quality promise ring will usually fall somewhere between $200 and $800. Compare that with the average price of an engagement ring, which many sources say is about $5,000.

Most couples choose engagement rings with a simple purpose: to proclaim their love and their intention to get married. If you two aren’t ready to tie the knot, a promise ring can be the perfect next step. Couples choose promise rings for reasons as unique as they are, including:

Marriage, But Not Yet
Wedding bells are in the future, but it doesn’t make sense to get married right now. Long distances or complicated finances are just two reasons a couple may choose to put off an engagement but show their intentions with a tangible promise.

Love is Enough
For other couples, a wedding and marriage aren’t priorities. A promise ring is a great way to show your loved one just how much they mean to you, even if you don’t plan on walking down the aisle.

True Love Waits
Some people use promise rings as purity rings. Young women or men wear these rings as a symbol that they are saving sex for marriage.

A Mutual Decision
Unlike engagement rings, most promise rings don’t come with a proposal. Many couples decide to choose a promise ring after much discussion about their relationship. Whatever approach you prefer, be honest about what the ring means to you to avoid hurt feelings or misunderstandings.

Men and Women Alike
Promise rings allow you to celebrate and symbolize your relationship. There are no rules about who can make a promise to whom. A man can give a commitment or promise ring to his significant other and so can a woman. (Of course, men and women can give and receive engagement rings too, but it’s more common with promise rings.)

How to Choose the Perfect Ring

Promise rings can be as classic as a diamond band or more personalized. Some prefer designs with meaningful symbolism, such as:

  • Hearts
  • Bows
  • Knots
  • Infinity symbols

And here’s an idea that’s growing in popularity: stacking ring sets that couples add to with each milestone. They may select a band to represent their promise or commitment, then add a band when they move in together. Or maybe the couple will choose a band as a pillow gift on the night of the proposal. With the growing popularity of stacked bands, milestone rings are a great option.

Both men and women can wear promise rings, but choosing a ring for a man is a bit different. When it comes to a promise ring for men, alternative metal rings make an excellent choice. Consider durable metals such as:

  • Titanium
  • Tungsten
  • Tungsten Carbide

Of course, classic white gold never goes out of style. Personalize your ring with beautiful inlays, unique patterns, or engravings.

Is There a Ring in Your Future?
Whether your promise ring symbolizes a commitment to a specific future or a declaration of your love today, it can be a beautiful daily reminder of your relationship.

Perhaps you’ve passed that layer and are ready to make the bigger step to an engagement ring. Each couple’s story is unique, and it comes down to your own plans for the future. Making sure you’re on the same page and sharing your goals are crucial in any relationship.

Contemplating a big step in your relationship is an exciting time. Embrace it and celebrate the hard work and the joyful times along the journey. Commitment may feel scary, but there’s no better feeling than moving into the future with your love by your side… and their ring on your finger.

Dan Decker is the charismatic, romantic, and knowledgeable Customer Care Manager for Robbins Brothers. He has been with the company for nearly 20 years and enjoys helping customers fulfill their engagement dreams. When he’s not working, it’s all about quality time spent with his daughter and lovely wife of 20+ years

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