If you think that promise rings are a modern invention, think again! Couples have been exchanging promise rings since the 15th and 16th centuries. They would be traded by lovers too young or poor get married, as a token of love and continued affection. And guess what – men wore them too! As promise rings come back into fashion, in the 20th and 21st centuries, more men than ever are wearing promise rings to symbolize their commitment to one person, and their intention to eventually marry that person.
There are important reasons why promise and pre-engagement rings are popular again now. The period of dating or courtship now is longer than ever, which means that couples can get frustrated with the lack of rituals to mark stages in their relationship. By exchanging promise rings, a couple can commemorate important milestones in their relationship without having to deal with the greater pressures of engagement and marriage. Giving a man a promise ring is a great way a woman can signify her commitment to the public without the expense and demands of an engagement and wedding.
Because the process of dating and pre-engagement is more flexible than ever, there are as many different reasons to choose a promise ring as there are reasons to get “pre-engaged”! While some couples exchange promise rings as a way of expressing the fact that they will eventually get married, the tradition of exchanging promise rings is open to creativity. For some couples, a promise ring might signify a decision to remain celibate before they get married or engaged. These promise rings are also sometimes called “purity” rings. Other couples exchange promise rings when they decide to live together before getting married, to mark the transition from dating to being a co-habiting couple.
There is also a lot of variation in how promise rings are worn. While many men and women wear their promise rings on their left hand ring fingers, like an engagement ring, it is also popular to sport a promise ring or pre-engagement ring on the ring finger of the right hand, to avoid confusion. A rising number of couples trade “pair” promise rings that match, similar to wedding bands. Some popular styles for modern promise rings include three small diamonds, sterling silver and heart shaped stone designs. Many couples also get matching promise rings that are engraved with a design of both of their names, or exchange promise rings with an engraved saying that means something special to them both.
The key to choosing a promise ring for your man? Think about him first – and don’t rule out bling! Diamonds are more popular than ever when it comes to men’s promise and pre-engagement rings. While men have been wearing precious and semi-precious gemstones, including diamonds, for centuries, in the 20th century men as well as women have turned to diamonds as a way of super-sizing the glam factor of their promise and pre-engagement rings. Look for a promise ring that has a mix of masculine and glamourous – a solid-weight ring with square edges and a series of inlaid diamonds looks rugged while still conveying the luxury and delicacy of the loving sentiment. A promise ring set with a man’s birthstone, or a mix of his and his girlfriend’s birthstones, also has a charming personal touch.
