The History of Promise Rings

While promise rings may seem like an invention of the modern jewelry industry, they have In fact been around since the 16th century. Couples of that era would exchange promise rings when they were too poor to marry. The fascinating and ever-changing romantic tradition became more ritualized as time went on.
Rings had always been used to signify commitment. In the Bible, there are references to the special rings worn by the devout. But it wasn’t until the 15th and 16th centuries that men and women began exchanging promise rings to communicate their love. The promise rings they gave one another symbolized the strengthening of their bond.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, there were several different kinds of promise rings. In 16th century England, lovers exchanged scribbling rings, which were bands inlaid with uncut diamonds or crystals. The wearer would use the sharp points of the diamonds to etch their beloved’s names or vows into window glass. This early type of promise ring fell out of favour in later centuries, to be replaced with more elaborate trends in promise rings.
One of the most popular trends in promise rings during Shakespeare’s time was the poesy ring. Poesy rings were popular among young couples who were pre-engaged, or promised to one another. Each band was engraved with romantic sayings such as “vous et nul autre” (you and no other) or “a ma vie de coer entire” (my whole heart for my whole life), binding the lover’s words to the beloved’s body.
In the Europe of the 19th century, promise or pre-engagement rings reflected the optimism, romance and fantasy of the era. Victorian promise or pre-engagement rings were far more ornamental than their predecessors, reflecting both the growing availability of semi-precious stones into Europe. Because of the new influx of wealth into the middle classes, more couples than ever could afford to gift their intendeds with promise or pre-engagement rings.
Regards rings were particularly popular among Victorian couples. While they were frequently used as engagement rings, non-engaged couples and even friends exchanged them as well. Regards rings featured a series of semi-precious stones, the first letter of which spelled out “regards”: emerald, garnet, amethyst, ruby, diamond, sapphire.
Other variations on the “regards” promise or pre-engagement ring included the spelling of the beloved’s name, the word “love” (lapis lazuli, opal, vermarine, emerald), and the word “dearest” (diamond, emerald, amethyst, ruby, emerald, sapphire, topaz).
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, promise or pre-engagement rings are again popular. As the period of courtship – the time where a couple is dating – is now longer than ever, many are attracted to the idea of signifying their commitment without the greater pressures of engagement. As a result, many kinds of promise or pre-engagement rings are popular among different couples. While heart shapes and birthstone rings are particularly popular for promise or pre-engagement rings, other couples choose customized designs or personal touches like engraved sayings.

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