Can a Promise Ring Be Used as an Engagement Ring?

Different types of rings symbolize the love and affection a couple shares. Promise rings, engagement rings, and wedding rings are the best examples.

While promise rings and engagement rings have differences that set them apart, they also share the same meaning.

Both rings are used to symbolize your commitment to one another. For that reason, you may have wondered whether or not it’s okay to use a promise ring as an engagement ring.

In this post, we will discuss the purpose of each as well as their differences. That way you’ll be better informed about which ring is best for you.

You will Learn in this Post

What is the Purpose of a Promise Ring?
What is the Purpose of an Engagement Ring?
Is a Promise Ring the Same as an Engagement Ring?
Difference Between Promise Ring and Engagement Ring.
Can a Promise Ring be Used to Propose? Why or why not?
Conclusion

What is the Purpose of a Promise Ring?

Promise rings aren’t as common as engagement or wedding rings. Like them, however, they have been used as tokens of love for many years.

Their history goes as far back as the late 1500s. As the name suggests, promise rings were a symbol of promise and hope that a relationship will develop further in the future.

Today the meaning and purpose attached to the promise rings are as follows:

Can a Promise Ring Be Used as an Engagement Ring

1.Monogamy.

Promise rings stand for your commitment to the relationship and your significant other.

It is a great way of showing your partner that you are devoted to only them.

It’s especially suitable if you still haven’t made up your mind about the marriage but want your partner to know your loyalty lies with them.

2.Friendship.

While this is not the traditional purpose of a promise ring, it is still a great way of symbolizing the bond shared between two people.

For two people about to part ways or live geographically apart, this promise ring is a reminder of all the shared moments together.

In such cases, both and your partner can have matching promise rings.

Can a Promise Ring Be Used as an Engagement Ring

3.Unique promises.

As couples, it’s common to have inner jokes and secrets. Similarly, couples may share promises unique and known only by them.

By getting a promise ring to symbolize that promise, the ring will serve as a constant reminder that will help get the promise fulfilled.

4.Personal values.

Promise rings don’t only have to be a symbol of the shared love and commitment between a couple, they could also be a symbol of shared values.

In some cases, you’ll find older couples passing down their promise rings to younger couples. They do this with the hope that they will carry on with those same values.

Promise rings are normally given before an engagement or marriage.

It is believed that when you give a promise ring to a partner, you have to wait at least a year before engaging. That way the relationship won’t be jinxed.

For those who are not sure about marriage, a promise ring can stand in place of an engagement or wedding ring as a symbol of commitment.

What is the Purpose of an Engagement Ring?

Engagement rings are important symbols in a relationship. They have been used since time immemorial. They were first used in Ancient Rome, but at that time, they were considered a sign of a man’s ownership over a woman. That didn’t change until Pope Nicolas I’s declaration.

Can a Promise Ring Be Used as an Engagement Ring

After that engagement rings were considered a sign that a man wanted to marry a woman. Additionally, in the past, the engagement rings were mainly gold bands. Until the late 1400s where Archduke was the first to propose using a diamond ring.

Today, engagement rings still hold one meaning. That is, they are mainly a sign that you want to get married to your partner. However, with the change in times, today men aren’t the only ones who propose.

In some cases, women have been known to be the ones to propose. More men also opt to get engagement rings for themselves along with their fiancées. These changes mostly came about due to same-sex couples.

Another recent trend is that fewer millennials are opting for the traditional diamond cut ring. Rather they are opting for colored stones or birthstones.

Regardless of the type of engagement ring, the amount of time a couple waits before getting married after a proposal is preferential. Some couples can wait over a year while others get married right away.

It mostly is determined by other factors like the type of wedding and wedding planning.

Is a Promise Ring the Same as an Engagement Ring?

Can a Promise Ring Be Used as an Engagement Ring

Promise rings and engagement rings indeed share various similarities. They could look identical since they are made from a similar material.

On a general level, they even share the same symbolic meaning of commitment. Still, it is very important to note that these two types of rings are very different.

In addition to their names, they differ in many ways. They have different histories and meanings behind them.

Even the symbolic meaning of commitment is different for an engagement ring when compared to that of a promise ring.

It is therefore important to understand the technical differences that separate the two.

Difference Between Promise Ring and Engagement Ring.

As mentioned, there are various technical differences that separate promise rings from engagement rings. Here are some factors to consider, to better understand their differences:

1.The meaning behind the ring.

Unlike promise rings, engagement rings only have one meaning. For promise rings, the symbol of commitment is that of a continued relationship even in the future.

For an engagement ring, the commitment is strictly about marriage.

Moreover, promise rings can be used to symbolize monogamy, friendship, and shared values among others.

2.When is the best time?

Promise rings can be given earlier on in a relationship when, you are comfortable with your partner, but not yet ready for marriage.

Engagement rings on the other hand take more time.

You have to be sure about being with your partner forever before proposing them.

That is why engagements are given closer to weddings.

3.How is the ring given?

Promise rings have no protocol so, you have the freedom to choose the best way for you. It mostly depends on the significance of the moment and the purpose of the promise ring.

Proposals are, however, considered grand gestures whose stories would be told for generations to come.

Traditionally, it would involve a man getting on one knee and popping the question. Today, even women can propose instead of men.

4.The difference in appearance.

Today both engagement rings and promise rings can be as elaborate or as simple as you want. Ideally, they are made of similar materials.

However, promise rings are considered flashier with the inclusion of colored gems or birthstones.

Sometimes they are just metal bands with meaningful designs.

Engagement rings, however, mostly follow the traditional diamond cuts, although nowadays that has begun to change.

Some people prefer plain metal bands as their engagement ring,

Can a Promise Ring be Used to Propose? Why or why not?

Can a Promise Ring Be Used as an Engagement Ring

Despite their differences, most people believe that you can propose with a promise ring.

The main reason is that at the end of the day the ring is just a symbol. What matters is your actual relationship.

Also, there are certain factors such as cost and preference that may lead to the use of proposing with a promise ring.

A promise may be more appealing or hold more meaning for you as a couple or it may be what you can afford at the time.

Still, you should communicate your intentions of using a promise ring to your partner. This is because everyone expects a certain kind of engagement ring they like.

So, it’s only fair for them to know why they aren’t getting it. If the problem is cost, you can always upgrade the ring later on.