It probably helps to understand the promise ring in more depth. Understanding what a promise ring means in a relationship can help you to decide what hand and finger to wear it on. A lot depends on the personal preference of the couple and what type of promise they are making to each other. We’ll go over what a promise ring means to boyfriends and girlfriends, along with which hand a promise ring is typically worn on.
What Is a Promise Ring?
As the name of the ring suggests, a promise ring is worn to signify a promise given between a couple. Most often, a promise ring is given by a boyfriend to a girlfriend after a lengthy amount of time dating. It shows that you are not interested in dating anyone else. Basically, your heart has been taken and you are devoted to that one person. With this commitment, there could also be talk about marriage down the line as well. Maybe circumstances at the time don’t allow marriage to be an option right away—it could be that there is college to get through or jobs to fall into place. Or maybe age is a factor or the amount of time in the relationship—it’s common to gift a promise ring on an anniversary like one or two years of dating.
What Finger Does a Promise Ring Go On?
Because the promise ring is most typically a precursor to an engagement ring, most girlfriends will wear it on the ring finger of their left hand, just like an engagement ring. However, this is not a rule that you have to follow. Another trendy way to wear a promise ring is on a pinky finger. Kind of like the pinky promise you may have made with a friend as a child, it could have a unique meaning to you on the pinky. Others opt for the ring finger of their right hand, or the middle finger of their left hand. One thing is for sure. You can wear it on any hand or finger that you want. This can work out well if the ring that you receive is either a little too large or too small for your ring finger on the left hand. If you don’t want to get it resized, simply switch it to your other hand or another finger.
How To Wear a Promise Ring After You Get Engaged
Since many times the promise ring eventually leads to an engagement, some may be wondering if and how they can wear the ring after it is replaced with an engagement ring. Again, it is all personal preference. However, it’s probably most popular to simply switch the promise ring to your right-hand ring finger.
What Type of Ring Should a Promise Ring Be?
The type of ring, for a promise ring, can be as unique as your relationship. A white pearl used to be a popular choice for a promise ring, but really, anything goes. If there is a certain gem like a sapphire or emerald that you are enamored by, then that’s the ring for you. Sometimes a simple band is preferred while others may want a cluster of many stones or an infinity symbol. Another idea that’s been trending recently? Many couples are opting for promise rings that feature a heart or two. Although the ring does signify a promise, it’s really more of a fashion piece that you can enjoy and think of the promise as you look at it.
History of the Promise Ring
The earliest examples of promise rings came from ancient Greece and then the Roman “betrothal rings” became popular. Those rings were actually two rings with the engraved names of the betrothed couple. In the sixteenth century, promise rings were given to women by men who couldn’t afford to get married right away. As time went on, those rings became more intricate with the rings in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries having engravings with romantic sayings. Next Up: 150 Best Relationship Quotes and Sweetest Couple Quotes That’ll Make Your Heart Flutter
