Pre-engagement ring
{{Short description|Ring symbolizing intent to wed}}
A pre-engagement ring, sometimes referred to as a friendship ring or promise ring, is a ring given as a gift to a romantic partner to signify a commitment to a monogamous relationship, often as a precursor to an engagement ring. A heterosexual couple typically has the man presenting a ring or both exchanging rings, though women may present one as well. They may be worn on any finger due to not being as serious as an engagement ring, though they are sometimes worn on a necklace. These rings are typically purchased by those who are too young to get engaged to their partner or by a partner or partners who do not want to rush into marriage. While similar concepts have been employed in the past, the concept of pre-engagement rings came into prominence starting in the 1970s. It gained further prominence in the late 2000s when celebrities began to use pre-engagement rings (as well as purity rings) such as the Jonas Brothers, Selena Gomez, and Priyanka Chopra.
Appearance
Designs of pre-engagement rings may vary, featuring hearts, an entangled design, and other designs. However, any design can be used for a pre-engagement ring.{{cite web |url=https://www.tripsavvy.com/what-is-a-promise-ring-1863344 |title= What Does a Promise Ring Mean? |work=Trip Savvy |last=Sardone |first=Susan Breslow |date=January 26, 2018 |accessdate=January 10, 2019}} The bands may be made of a variety of materials, including titanium, silver, and gold. Less common inexpensive materials may be used, such as wood, glass, ceramic, bone, plastic, jade, quartz or any other type of gemstone band ring. Birthstones are also commonly used. The ring or rings may be engraved with one or both of the names of those in the relationship, and potentially their nickname(s).{{cite web |url=http://thebrazilbusiness.com/article/relationships-and-ring-wearing-in-brazil |title=Relationships and Ring Wearing in Brazil |work=The Brazil Business |last=Farah |first=Ana Gabriela Verotti |date=July 2, 2013 |accessdate=January 10, 2019}}
Custom
A pre-engagement ring, sometimes referred to as a friendship ring or promise ring, is given to a romantic partner as a show of a commitment to a monogamous relationship as a precursor to an engagement ring.Philip-Phiri, Richard (2009). How to Grow Up the Right Way: Enter and Remain in Marriage. AuthorHouse.Seleshanko, Kristina (2009). Carry Me Over the Threshold. Zondervan. It is typically given after six months to a year of dating.{{cite web |date=July 15, 2018 |title=All you need to know about Promise Rings |url=https://www.hollowaydiamonds.com.au/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250318095442/https://web.archive.org/web/20180524014745/https://jewellerista.com/all-you-need-to-know-about-promise-rings/ |archive-date=2025-03-18 |accessdate=January 10, 2019 |work=Jewllerista}} In a heterosexual couple, the man is typically the one to give the ring, though it is not uncommon for the woman to give as well. Some couples may also exchange pre-engagement rings.{{cite web |date=November 28, 2018 |title=How to Choose a Pre-Engagement Ring That She'll Love |url=https://lovebondings.com/pre-engagement-ring |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119174218/https://lovebondings.com/pre-engagement-ring |archive-date=2019-01-19 |accessdate=January 10, 2019 |work=Love Bondings}} Pre-engagement rings can be worn on any finger, though they're typically on the left ring finger. When a person gets married, if they still have their pre-engagement ring, they may switch the ring to their right ring finger. Since it is not an official engagement ring, it can be worn on any finger or even as a necklace.{{cite web |url=https://www.theknot.com/content/ring-finger-what-hand-wedding-engagement-ring |title=Ring Finger: What Hand Does Your Wedding and Engagement Ring Go On? |work=The Knot |last=Mauer |first=Elena Donovan |accessdate=January 10, 2019}} Often seen as a fashion accessory rather than a formal engagement or wedding ring, pre-engagement rings are generally more affordable due to the lower level of commitment and the younger age of the giver and recipient. They are commonly worn by individuals who are too young for engagement but wish to express their commitment, as well as by couples who prefer to take their time before marrying.{{cite web |url=https://vanessanicole.com/what-is-a-pre-engagement-ring/ |title=What is a Pre-Engagement Ring? |work=Vanessa Nicole |accessdate=January 17, 2019}}
Pre-engagement rings are common in Brazil, and are sometimes worn by couples while they are dating. It is called a commitment ring (or anel de compromisso).{{Vague|date=February 2020}}
History
Similar concepts to pre-engagement rings have appeared at various points in history. One such example is posie rings, which were engraved with romantic poems in 16th century England. Another example were acrostic rings, which spelled out a word in gemstones such as "regard" using a ruby, emerald, garnet, amethyst, another ruby, and a diamond.{{cite web |last=Claire |first=Coghlan |date=2024-05-23 |title=What Is a Promise Ring? The Real Meaning |url=https://www.theknot.com/content/what-is-a-promise-ring |accessdate=January 10, 2019 |work=The Knot}} Claddagh rings are another similar kind of ring. The term 'promise ring' entered the "jewelry dictionary" in the 1970s.
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Impact
Pre-engagement rings entered prominence in the late 2000s and early 2010s. One of the reasons for the increased prominence is the use by celebrities, including the Jonas Brothers, Jordin Sparks, Teyana Taylor, and Selena Gomez. Some companies have made franchise-branded pre-engagement rings, such as Disney's Beauty and the Beast-branded promise rings. The rings feature Belle and 'Her Beast' on the boy's ring and Beast and 'His Beauty' on the girl's.{{cite web |url=https://heavy.com/social/2015/09/best-his-and-hers-promise-rings-for-couples/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119121454/https://heavy.com/social/2015/09/best-his-and-hers-promise-rings-for-couples/ |archive-date=2019-01-19 |title=2. Disney Beauty And The Beast His And Hers Ring Set |work=Heavy |last=Miller |first=Tucker Cummings |date=June 9, 2016 |accessdate=January 10, 2019}}
Writer Nicole Fabian-Weber mocked the concept of pre-engagement rings in an article about Justin Bieber's gift of a pre-engagement ring to then-girlfriend Selena Gomez.{{cite web |last=Fabian-Weber |first=Nicole |date=February 22, 2012 |title=Justin Bieber's 'Pre-Engagement Ring' to Selena Gomez Is Cute, But Silly |url=https://thestir.cafemom.com/love/133427/justin_biebers_preengagement_ring_to |accessdate=January 7, 2019 |work=Cafemom}} Writer Pascale Day expressed bemusement at the idea of a pre-engagement ring. She expressed confusion as to what it was and commented that 'pre-engagement' is just "being in a relationship."{{cite web |url=https://metro.co.uk/2017/10/10/cheryl-shows-off-pre-engagement-ring-as-its-revealed-shes-changed-her-name-back-to-tweedy-6990823/ |title=Cheryl shows off 'pre-engagement ring' as it's revealed she's changed her name back to Tweedy |work=Metro |last=Day |first=Pascale |date=October 10, 2017 |accessdate=January 10, 2019}} Writer Ana Gabriela Verotti Farah commented that due to the relative newness of the custom in Brazil in 2003, it resulted in trivialization by couples, especially young ones.{{-}}