I never had any idea

[lucybelle]

That promise rings were such a "thing".

I've been looking online for rings and almost every jewelry site has a section for promise rings. I know a lot of people have them here, I just assumed it was an LDR deal. Honestly, I didn't even know that promise rings existed until I got here.

I don't know.. I like the idea behind it, but it sort of seems like a ploy to make more jewelry sales. Sort of like "Love Day" on... was it South Park? No, The Simpsons.

[mllebamako]

Yeah, I actually always thought it was a religious/virginity thing.

Do you remember when jewelry stores were trying to push the "right hand ring"? It's supposed to symbolize independence or single-lady-hood or something. Another ploy to get you to buy more diamonds!

[Moon]

To me, the idea was always a bit silly, why promise to get engaged, just get engaged! But that's just me, it's another attempt by the jewelry people to make you think you have to buy something.

[lucybelle]

I guess we're the three bitter women who never got one

[ioanna]

i'll join the group of bitter women :P i also always thought it was more of a "purity" aspect.
My SO and I got engaged 5 years ago, and our wedding date is quite far due to our LD state... should our rings be called promise rings?? :P

[Black_Halloween]

I think promise rings make more sense when you're in an LDR, or you're a military couple.

[Moon]

i'll join the group of bitter women :P i also always thought it was more of a "purity" aspect.
My SO and I got engaged 5 years ago, and our wedding date is quite far due to our LD state... should our rings be called promise rings?? :P

Absolutely! Then you can demand a new one

[Moon]

I think promise rings make more sense when you're in an LDR, or you're a military couple.

See, I kinda think my guy's spoken promise is enough for me. Can't respond to the military aspect, as it's not a situation I've ever been in.

[nicole]

The purpose of my promise ring was to get an estimate of a ring size for my actual engagement ring. And even then, it was a cheapy silver claddagh ring from amazon. I didn't really see any message behind it really. I certainly didn't need a diamond thing from a jeweler to promise he would get me an even bigger diamond to ask me to marry him!

[Jayburr]

I've always thought of promise rings as something to show any kind of commitment to something or someone. It doesn't have to be related to LDRs or sexual abstinence, it can be anything, and worn on any finger (except your wedding ring finger! unless that's the message you're trying to display to everyone... :P) For me, in the past, I have worn a ring by an ex because I wanted others to know I was taken.

[kittyo9]

There was an episode of Glee that featured one of the students giving another a promise ring with a very sweet speech. I think that might account for some of the fascination, particularly among younger couples.

My boyfriend and I really do plan on staying together and getting married, but the reason we decided on a promise ring (well, it ended up being a necklace) was because we definitely can't afford nice rings or getting married right now. We'd also look a little bit crazy (not so much to you guys, but definitely to family) if we got engaged during our first meeting after having only been together, physically, for 3 weeks. The promise ring (necklace) is kind of like a placeholder until we can have the real deal.

Also, that "right-hand ring" is awfully silly... in my family/religion, it's traditional to wear your wedding ring on the right hand rather than the left. Until a few years ago, I thought everybody wore their ring on the right hand!

[lademoiselle]

I do think promise rings have their place as a symbol of some sort of commitment, as Jayburr said. I'd be thrilled if my SO brought me a promise ring; I wouldn't take it as a forerunner of an engagement one, but wearing such a piece of jewellery to represent the relationship we have now is something I wouldn't mind at all. Of course I don't feel any less happy or committed without a ring though!

[Malaga]

I guess we're the three bitter women who never got one

Ha!
I always thought it has more to do with 'marking the territory', like "not married or engaged yet but rivals begone, this person's mine".

Personally if he gave me a ring I would think he was proposing, and if he weren't actually, I would be rather disappointed. I don't want it unless it's the real thing.

[Dziubka]

I didn't know they were a thing until I read about them here either. I guess it makes sense if you want to show committment but are too young or for other reasons not ready to actually get engaged.

My boyfriend gave me a ring for our first anniversary. It's beautiful and I like looking at it and thinking of him and our relationship. My friend asked if it was an engagement ring and my boyfriend answered that it was a pre-engagement ring. That would probably make it a promise ring... if the word/concept existed in either of our languages Now it's just a pretty ring that my boyfriend gave me, without a fancy title.

There's relationship rings over here, but google tells me they're usually stainless steel rings that come in pairs. I don't know anyone who has them, though.

[lucybelle]

I'd be happy if my SO bought me a ring, but I'd be happy if he bought me any jewelry. Because I like it and it's pretty