What do you think about promise rings?

[Mio]

I didn't have one, but I think is a nice gesture.

[LizH]

What do you think about promise rings? I think they're great, my boyfriend and I both have one Some people think it's a religious promise ring, or they think you're a freak for having that kind of commitment, but that's a different story..
Do you think they need a specific promise? Yeah, they should come with a promise - it's in the name! It's up to the giver and wearer as to what that promise is though. For us, it was commitment and loyalty to each other, perseverance through our LDR and a promise to get married...kind of a pre-engagement ring. Since we were 17 when we got them, engagement rings would've been kinda weird for us (no offense meant to anyone who has done that).
Could any ring be considered a promise ring? Yes. Except for a ring pop or a 25 cent ring. :P
Are they like engagement rings? An engagement ring is a kind of promise ring (a promise to get married, but with a specific name and socially accepted tradition), so sort of. It's like a non traditional engagement ring, depending on the promise made with the ring. It might not be an engagement at all.

Sean and I got promise rings for our 2nd anniversary, which also coincided with when we were getting ready to separate for college and begin our LDR. We got them at a local jewelers and wear them everyday (on our left ring fingers, if you're interested - placement's a debated topic for promise rings). Mine is a small sterling silver ring with a flower design and light blue jewels in the center of each flower. Here's a picture:

He also wears his everyday, it is a plain band in a darker brushed silver color. I don't remember what metal it was though.

[loveonspeedial]

My questions to you are:
What do you think about promise rings? I like them I think they're special, I've given one to my so and she's given me one.

Do you think they need a specific promise? No. Mine was to stay faithful and committment, and she never really gave me a reason for hers..and I don't really think it means anything so I don't try to wear it that much, it's like whatever, but I also make sure I don't lose it.

Could any ring be considered a promise ring? Yes, When I wanted to give my so one, I gave her a dolphin mood ring, she moves dolphins, then I bought her the one she's had since Feb and that was an 80 dollar one that I had customized from walmart.com. The one she bought me cost like 6 dollars from the basic jewerly section from walmart. Which she bought the same ring for her friend...

Are they like engagement rings? It can be however you want. The one I gave my so says "forever and always" it's got a green and red gem green for january, red for may..according to walmart. and on the inside it has our names engraved.

[SSUgirl]

What do you think about promise rings?
I like them. I think it is a good way to show commitment and it is also a way of showing other people that you are taken.

Do you think they need a specific promise?
Not necessarily. I think it can be pretty broad. Mine was basically saying "I want to marry you but we both still have to finish college and become stable on our own before we get engaged". It was good because he gave it to me right before we left for seperate colleges.

Could any ring be considered a promise ring?
Definitely. Its not about the actual piece of jewerly but the meaning behind it.

Are they like engagement rings?
Not necessarily. Whatever you want it to be like...then thats what it is.

[hellojamie]

I think promise rings are a neat idea- I always wanted one. I think it kind of depends on where you are in your relationship and with your partner as to what they define, or if one would really even work for your relationship. Like others have said, it doesn't have to be a ring, or an official promise. Just the act of giving the person you love something beautiful is a promise in and of itself.

My SO gave me a lovely diamond necklace last Christmas. It meant a lot to me because I'd had one I really cherished before, but that my ex had stolen when we broke up. (Careful who you live with, ladies!) My SO went to a jeweler and had a lengthy conversation with an Armenian woman about what size to get- and had to give her the exact dimensions, using his hands, of my bust size, so that the size of the diamond would accentuate, not overpower, my bosoms. He is a very conservative/easily embarrassed guy, and the fact that he went through that for me just so he could get the perfect size, meant just as much as the jewelry itself. So I think the story behind the ring or necklace or whatever and your love story supersedes any "definition" of a promise ring.

I don't think my SO would have bought me a ring, just because to him ring=engagement. And though I like the idea of promise rings, we've reached that point in our relationship where I'm kind of expecting THE ring sometime in the relative future. So if he got me a ring and was like, "Just kidding, it's just a promise that I'm eventually going to propose!" it would probably dampen my enthusiasm about it.

[polkapiggy]

What do you think about promise rings?
I think they are a really nice idea =) I wouldn't mind the SO and I exchanging them, seeing as if we get married, it will be quite far in the future, but I would still love to take the relationship to that new level.

Do you think they need a specific promise?
Yes. They are a promise ring and as such they should come with a promise attached. Though I think generally they are just a nice "I promise to keep loving you and be faithfull to you" kind of gesture.

Could any ring be considered a promise ring?
Yes, I think so. I would consider any ring to be ok for an engagement/marriage ring too. If you like a ring enough to wear it that much, then I don't see why it HAS to be what a jewellery store considers to be a "promise/engagement/marriage" ring.

Are they like engagement rings?
No I don't think so. To me, it's like taking your relationship to another level of devotion. It's like being more than just girlfriend/boyfriend, but it doesn't come with all the strings of being engaged. I think it's great for young people and teens that sincerely believe they are in love and to have plans to stay with their SO but don't want all the judgement or seriousness of engagement.

[ecpaseur]

What do you think about promise rings?
I'm neutral towards them.
Do you think they need a specific promise?
I think so, I mean it could represent more than one promise but those promises should be specific.
Could any ring be considered a promise ring?
I suppose. I have a friend whose boyfriend gave her a garnet ring as a promise ring rather than the traditional diamond.
Are they like engagement rings?
It depends on the situation. They look like engagement rings, but they are less expensive.

[DarkSolitary]

What do you think about promise rings?
I love them. I want me and my SO to get Promise Rings. Its not a purity ring. Promise rings and purity rings are quite different. To me a promise ring is a token of love and a way to show commitment. Like, "I wanna get married to you one day but were too young/not financially secure/not ready"

Do you think they need a specific promise?
Yes. It's a promise to stay loyal and to love.

Could any ring be considered a promise ring?
I guess so. Personally I would want a fancy ring though xP

Are they like engagement rings?
No. They are pre-engagement ring of a sort. They are a proof of love and takes the relationship to the next level but without the serious commitment of an engagement ring.

[sam]

Elina has suggested us getting promise rings once or twice and I never really had an opinion on them :s

I hate wearing jewellery and pretty sure I'll hate wearing a ring too so.. I wouldnt really want one. I think she said if I didnt wear one, she wouldnt want one either so..


I guess they're an alright idea *shrug* I'm happy enough with her word as a promise though

[xMesmerize124]

What do you think about promise rings?
I think promises rings are cute and can be a great thing for couple who want to with hold a certain promise to each other
Do you think they need a specific promise?
Personally i think so, they are called promise rings for a reason, i'm assuming if you get a promise i'm sure its for a specific reason or specific reasons
Could any ring be considered a promise ring?
Yeah, whether you get the ring for the a cracker jack box or from an actual jewelry store they are both considered promise rings
Are they like engagement rings?
It's like a engagement ring in a way but definitely not the same thing

[Casey]

What do you think about promise rings? They are a good physical reminder of your love
Do you think they need a specific promise? Nope, I don't think so, just that you promise to work towards a future together.
Could any ring be considered a promise ring? Yep. Adam gave me a ring for christmas a few years ago (06 or 07) and I bought him a ring for his birthday around the same time. They weren't bought as "promise rings" precisely but more I love you and wear this on your right ring finger goddammit
Are they like engagement rings? In what regard? Looks - I don't think so and quite honestly the girls who wore rings that looked like big fake engagement rings were quite annoying. Mine is white gold with three blue stones (dunno what they are?) and two little diamonds (I'll post a pic if I'm feeling motivated) and it cost no more than $200. His is yellow gold with three small diamonds under cost about $200. He never wears his cause he doesn't like jewellery but it sits on his bedside table. Promise - the promise is somewhat similar in that you promise to work towards a future, but engagement is more long term, permananent and mature.

I hate wearing jewellery and pretty sure I'll hate wearing a ring too

Yep Adam is like that - he doesn't wear his... well rarely anyway. Its always one excuse or another - it doesn't fit anymore or I can't find it or I can't wear it at work. Sometimes he just admits that he doesn't like wearing jewellery. And since it doesn't really phase me I dunno why he makes up silly excuses lol!

[Casey]

this is mine
I've been wearing this since either christmas 06 or 07 - pretty sure it was 07...

[squiddie]

What do you think about promise rings?
Personally, I'm not a fan. Especially considering my main experience with them has been with high schoolers who are like OH EM GEE WE'RE SO GETTING MARRIED at 14 or 15 and then break up about a month later. Or my roommate from my first year of college, whose boyfriend basically got her one to keep her from breaking up with him (which she totally should have, as he was a controlling a** who would flip out if she didn't answer her phone...even while in the shower)

Do you think they need a specific promise?
I guess not. They could be a promise to be replaced with an engagement ring at a time when money isn't so tight, or when the distance is closed, I expect.

Could any ring be considered a promise ring?
Sure why not? I always thought those rings from candy machines were cute.

Are they like engagement rings?
Only if expressly said so.

[sabby64]

What do you think about promise rings?

I think they are adorable ^.^ I've always dreamed of getting one from a boyfriend, ever since I started dating.
Do you think they need a specific promise?

Yes, because without one they are just another piece of jewelery. For me a promise ring would mean that you promise to be faithful to your partner and that you promise that you will get married one day.

Could any ring be considered a promise ring?

I think so... For me, I would be just as happy with a little mood ring as something expensive. It's the thought that means the most to me.

Are they like engagement rings?

I guess so, it depends :P They're alot less expensive and don't mean the same thing, but they sure are similar.

[Tjej]

My SO and I both have them now, and I guess you could say we go by the more "traditional" view of them...or at least I do. I don't think he's really thought it out much beyond a kind of pre-engagement ring, but since we've agreed that we're not having sex before marriage, it does also stand, to me, for purity.

Our rings are nothing fancy, and they don't even match, other than the fact that they're both Irish. I have a simple silver Claddagh band and he has a (also simple) gold Celtic knot-work one. I love that it helps keep some of the girls off of him... xP

I do think they should have specific promise, even if it's just to get engaged...otherwise, how is it a promise ring? But I don't think the ring has to be anything expensive...nicer than from a quarter machine, though.