Beautiful Promise Rings

Defining Beauty

Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder: a ring that is lovely to one person may seem too plain or too garish to another. What makes a promise ring beautiful, however, is not necessarily the ring’s design, gemstones, or details, but the sentiment with which it is given. Even the most gorgeous ring is ugly if the promise is not sincere or the ring is given under pressure, and a plain, simple ring can be the most stunning piece of jewelry when it is given with love and sincerity. Before exchanging a promise ring, the couple should consider:

• The magnitude of their commitment. The traditional meaning of a promise ring is a commitment to marry – if the couple is not considering that step at all in their future, it may be better to exchange other tokens of friendship and fondness.
• Their truthfulness with one another. If one person is uncomfortable with the expanded commitment a promise ring represents, they should be open about their concerns so any issues can be resolved without misunderstandings.
• How they will act on their promise. A promise ring is less meaningful if the promise is an empty one. While giving a promise ring does not necessarily mean setting an engagement or wedding date, it does mean the couple plans to work together to advance their relationship to higher levels.

Characteristics of Beautiful Promise Rings

While any ring can serve as a promise ring, most rings that embody that type of commitment share certain physical characteristics that make them exceptionally beautiful.

Opal Gemstone Promise Ring

• Symmetry: A well balanced, symmetrical ring is lovely on the finger. If multiple gemstones are used, they should be well coordinated.
• Gemstones: Promise rings traditionally incorporate small bits of sparkle. Diamond promise rings are the most popular, but any semi precious gemstone can be used. In fact, choosing birthstones or favorite gems can make the ring even more meaningful.
• Proportions: In addition to good symmetry, beautiful rings have appropriate proportions. A small gem may be overshadowed by a thick band, for example.
• Shape: The shapes of the gemstones should be complimentary not only to one another, but also the hand on which they will be worn. Young women typically have very slender, delicate fingers, and narrower shapes such as the marquise are lovely options.
• Quality: Any quality ring can be beautiful ring to represent a promise. Before purchasing the ring, the couple should understand the basics of judging diamond quality, the different types of precious metals, and what makes a ring a good investment.

Designs to Avoid

Certain ring designs, though lovely, should be avoided for promise rings because they may misrepresent the commitment or set precedents that can be difficult to follow. For example, most promise rings use only very small gemstones – larger carat gems are reserved for engagement rings, and if a young woman wears a large gemstone ring, particularly a diamond, as a promise ring the symbolism may be misinterpreted. Furthermore, diamond solitaires are reserved almost exclusively for engagement rings, unless the diamonds are exceptionally small, such as diamond chips.

Promise rings should also not be too elaborate. Many brides-to-be choose bridal set engagement rings and other elaborate designs for engagement and wedding rings, and using a more elaborate design as a promise ring can convey the wrong intentions. Similarly, if more inexpensive gems are used to create an elaborate promise ring, that could lead to the expectation of a very expensive engagement ring that the couple may not be able to afford.

Where to Find

Beautiful promise rings can be found nearly anywhere, from simple mainstream jewelry stores to online jewelry stores to intricate designers. Many jewelers now have specialized lines of promise rings, though couples can also choose from gemstone jewelry, right hand rings, or birthstone jewelry to find a stunning promise ring.

Promise Ring Alternatives

In some cases, a couple may not find a suitable promise ring to fit their budget, style, and relationship. In this case, there are other types of rings and jewelry that can serve as beautiful symbols of their relationship, including:

• Class rings
• Lockets
• Split jewelry that separates into a piece for each person
• Figural rings
• Pins or brooches
• Earrings

The beauty in a promise ring is not in its design, but in its sentiment. Whether a couple chooses a simple diamond ring, a gemstone ring, or some other design, they have many options for beautiful promise rings to represent the evolution of their relationship.