Promise Ring Vs Engagement Ring: What's The Difference?

The Meaning of Promise Rings

A promise ring is given from one partner to another in a romantic relationship. Giving your significant other a promise ring can symbolize several things, including:

Monogamy

Some people give their significant others a promise ring to symbolize that they would like to commit themselves fully to that person and be in a monogamous relationship.

Abstinence

Couples that have decided to stay abstinent may gift each other promise rings as a symbol of their decision to wait until marriage.

Promise of Marriage

If you know you want to marry your significant other one day, you can give her a promise ring to let her know your intentions. A promise ring tells your significant other that you envision a future with her.

Unique Promise Rings

unique promise rings

In some cases, a promise ring can also be given as a symbol of friendship between two people that are not romantically involved. However, this is not nearly as common as giving a promise ring in a romantic relationship.

The Meaning of Engagement Rings

While a promise ring can take on several different meanings, an engagement ring only has one. Giving someone an engagement ring is a symbolic way to propose marriage to that person. If your partner agrees to marry you, the ring will go on the ring finger of their left hand and will symbolize the fact that you are now engaged to be married. Once you have given someone an engagement ring, it is time to tell you friends and family that you will be marrying and begin the process of planning the wedding.

What’s the Difference Between a Promise Ring and an Engagement Ring?

While engagement rings typically have diamonds, promise ring designs are often less elaborate, with plain bands. As promise rings have grown in popularity, the variety of designs offered has also expanded. Engraved promise rings with a message of commitment are very popular, especially with the rise of custom made rings. This makes it easy to make your promise rings more personal.

If you are giving the gift of a promise ring, though, it’s important that you make your intentions clear. This is especially true if the promise ring has a diamond. Since giving a diamond ring is generally associated with proposing marriage, make it clear if you are only trying to give a promise ring; otherwise your significant other may feel misled or disappointed. You should also plan on spending more on an engagement ring than you would on a promise ring since it symbolizes a lifetime commitment.

Giving the gift of a promise ring or engagement ring is a beautiful gesture, but make sure that you understand the difference between these two rings before you decide to gift one to a friend or significant other.