Photo by Andrew Taylor
What is the meaning of a promise ring?
A promise ring represents a promise made between two people in a relationship, usually before an engagement ring is given, to indicate loyalty, commitment, and fidelity. A promise ring’s meaning, however, can change from couple to couple. Some couples use it as a promise for future engagement. Others use it just to symbolize their love for one another. Most people believe the Promise ring to be the modern-day version of giving your class pin or ring to your high school sweetheart. The promise ring is a symbol to the world you are in a serious relationship.
Promise rings can be given by either person in the relationship and can be worn on any finger or even on a chain as a necklace. Most commonly, the promise ring is worn on your ring finger of your left hand if you are not yet married and on the right hand if you are.
There are no rules when it comes to the style of the promise ring. It can be any metal, any stone, or no stone. Common styles for promise rings currently include hearts that are intertwined and Claddagh rings.
What is a purity ring?
A purity ring is also known as an abstinence ring, a chastity ring, and sometimes a promise ring. The purity ring symbolizes the promise that you will stay pure until marriage, which is why it is sometimes called a promise ring.
Anyone can wear a purity ring, but teens and young adults in the Christian faith are those who are most likely to be seen wearing one. Purity rings can be worn by both males and females. Purity rings can also be worn on any finger. Many Christian youth groups and Christian families encourage their teens to wear purity rings. When choosing to wear a purity ring, many people take a purity vow or purity pledge.
Purity rings come in many styles, although they look like a regular ring at first glance. Sometimes purity rings contain gemstones. Purity rings for men are typically thicker and more masculine bands, and purity rings for girls are usually thinner and more delicate. Purity rings are often silver-toned, and Sterling Silver is the most popular choice. Purity rings can also come in white gold, yellow gold, and steel.
Purity rings typically have phrases or bible verses engraved on the inside of the ring, such as “I will wait”, “Love is patient”, and “1 Corinthians 13:4-8”. Purity rings can also have symbols engraved on them. These include:
- Cross: symbolizes the commitment to God first
- Hearts: to remind of the promise to wait for true love/marriage
- Keys: to represent the key to your heart
- Flowers: sometimes people choose flowers simply for the look, others choose flowers to symbolize innocence and purity.
Some purity rings have multiple symbols incorporated, and some people choose to have their names engraved on the inside band as well.
What is a friendship ring?
A friendship ring is a ring that symbolizes the deep bond between two people who are not romantically involved. Friendship rings are worn to show their appreciation and support of each other. Friendship rings are usually sold in pairs that interlock with each other. These rings can look like wedding bands with phrases like “Best Friends” engraved on them, or feature interlocking hands (like in the Irish Claddaugh Ring). Friendship rings are sometimes handmade by friends for each other using beads or embroidery floss.
Sometimes, friendship rings can be viewed as “pre-engagement” rings, worn by both members of the couple, much like a promise ring.
What is a cluster ring?
A cluster ring comes in a few forms. Cluster rings can be made of multiple smaller gemstones clustered together or feature one larger gemstone surrounded by smaller gemstones. The gemstones are typically clustered together to form a shape, such as a starburst, square, flower, or circle. Cluster rings can be more affordable due to the smaller size of the gemstones used. Cluster rings are a popular choice for engagement rings.
What is a cocktail ring?
A cocktail ring is an oversized statement ring. These rings are BIG and make a bold statement. Cocktail rings can be any design and feature one or multiple gemstones. Cocktail rings often feature one large gemstone that is surrounded by smaller, different gemstones. This creates glitz, sparkle, and contrast. These rings are typically worn on the right hand, on the ring finger or middle finger. You can wear cocktail rings on any finger or make a bigger, bolder statement by wearing multiple rings at one time.
What is a bridal set?
A bridal set consists of an engagement ring and wedding band when worn together. Sometimes a bridal set is referred to as a wedding set, but a wedding set traditionally consists of the engagement ring, bride’s wedding band, and groom’s wedding band.
What is a claddagh ring?
A Claddagh ring is an Irish ring that consists of two clasped hands holding a heart with a crown on top. These rings are sometimes given as friendship rings and sometimes are used as engagement or pre-engagement rings.
What does a claddagh ring mean?
A Claddagh ring symbolizes friendship, love, and loyalty.
What is an engagement ring?
An engagement ring is a ring that is given during a marriage proposal and traditionally worn by the bride-to-be.
What is an eternity band?
An eternity band can also be known as an infinity ring. An eternity band is traditionally worn by women and is made of a band of precious metal (typically gold, but can also be sterling silver or platinum) with gemstones (traditionally diamonds) in a continuous line along the band. Eternity bands symbolize never-ending love and are often given to a wife on an anniversary. Eternity bands are often worn on the left ring finger but can be worn on any finger.
What is a signet ring?
A signet ring is traditionally a men’s ring worn on the pinky finger of the left hand and occasionally on the ring finger. Signet rings have either engraved or raised symbols, words or letters, or an image that represents the wearer. The engraving can be their initials, name, job title, family crest, organization or rank.
What is a solitaire ring?
A solitaire ring is a ring with a single stone setting. Most commonly they are diamond rings, but any gemstone ring with a single setting is a solitaire ring.
The solitaire ring has evolved over the years, and it has become acceptable for a ring to have other smaller stones on the shoulders of the solitaire setting or into the band of the ring. If you’d like to test a ring yourself, a good test is if you can put the main setting through a small hole and not see any other stones, it’s a solitaire ring. If you can see the other stones, it’s not a solitaire ring.
Solitaire rings have been around for centuries, but solitaire diamond rings became popular in the 1940’s. After World War 2, the diamond trade was in trouble and needed some help. De Beers had many smaller diamonds and wanted to boost sales of the diamonds to the middle class. They created a new sales campaign stating, “A Diamond is forever”, causing sales to explode, especially the solitaire diamond ring.
What is a spinner ring?
A spinner ring is sometimes known as a meditation ring or a worry ring. A spinner ring is made of two bands, the bottom one that stays in place, and a band that is set inside the base band that spins freely.
Spinner rings are used in meditation, using the spinning of the ring to help them find center during meditation. Many people find the spinning of the ring helpful in calming their anxiety. Fidgeting with the spinner ring can distract you from your worries, calming your anxiety. Spinning the ring can also help distract you from other nervous habits, like biting your nails.
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