So what are Promise Rings, and what do they mean

Promise Rings are common, but not so many understand what they are. They are particularly popular with the youth and it is important that any persons considering exchanging Promise Rings have some understanding of what they symbolize.

So what are Promise Rings, and what do they mean?

Promise Rings are a symbol of a promise made between 2 people. It is usually not appropriate to exchange rings to seal any promise, or that Promise Rings may well not be the correct rings to use to seal that promise.

There are other types of rings which symbolize a promise made between 2 people. An Engagement Ring symbolizes a promise made between 2 people? An engagement has no legal force like a marriage does. It is just an agreement between the parties that they will, at some time in the future, get married.

And so an Engagement Ring is, in effect, a Promise Ring, except that it symbolizes a very specific type of promise. It is also possible to exchange pre engagement rings. These are also a type of Promise Ring, promising that the 2 people will become engaged at some time in the future. These rings are often exchanged where, due to the age of one or both of the parties, an engagement may be premature at this stage.

A Promise Ring can symbolize any promise, there are no formal rules. However it is important to understand that for Promise Rings to have real meaning they must be used only to seal a promise of a particularly serious nature between 2 people.

It is important that they both understand the nature of the promise made between them. There is no point in exchanging rings where there is no clear understanding of exactly what it is that is being promised, so before any promise is made and rings are exchanged both people should spend some time together discussing exactly what commitment is to be made between them.

Make sure both are totally in agreement with the terms of the promise made, that both understand what is to happen in the future in pursuance of that promise, and when. It is usually better that both write the agreement down and keep a copy. That way there can be no disagreement in the future.

It is possible to exchange rings for any reason at all, and this is often done. However a Promise Ring holds a more serious commitment than this. A friendship ring may often be a more appropriate exchange for many young couples. This signifies a closeness between the couple but doesn't necessarily seal a specific agreement about the relationship for the future.

A common type of Promise Ring is one which signifies a promise between 2 young people to abstain from sexual activity until they are married. This is a serious commitment and properly the subject of a Promise Ring, or Purity Ring, as long as both understand what it is that is being promised. For example, what constitutes "sexual activity?"

A Promise Ring is not just for a promise made between 2 people. It can also be made by one person with "themselves" or "God" depending on their beliefs. For example many promise purity to God without extending that promise to any other person in particular.

So, before you consider wearing a Promise Ring, make sure that it signifies something that is of extreme seriousness to you, or to both of you. Make sure you understand the nature of the commitment, the exact details, and any time scales envisioned.

Only then can you confidently go ahead and display that promise to the world.

10k Yellow Gold Black Diamond Men's Ring

10k Yellow Gold Black Diamond Men's Ring (1 1/4 cttw)
Product Specifications

Jewelry Information
Brand Name:	Amazon.com Collection
Metal stamp:	10k
Metal:	gold
Material:	black-diamond
Total Diamond Weight:	1.2 carats
Setting:	flush
Width:	24 millimeters
Length:	26 millimeters
Total metal weight:	11 Gram
Number of stones:	3
Stone shape:	round

Stone Information
Resizable:	Y
Stone shape:	round
	1.2 carats

Shopping For the Wedding Ring

Wedding rings have been exchanged as tokens of love, affection and commitment for thousands of years. The Pharaohs of ancient Egypt are credited with being the first to use a ring in the form of a circle, a shape with no beginning and no end, as a symbol of eternal love. By Roman times, it was established custom for the ring to serve as a public pledge of the marriage contract between a man and a woman.

Traditionally, it is the groom's responsibility to buy the wedding rings. But it makes much more sense for the groom-to-be and his fiancÔe to shop together - after all, this is an item that will stay on her finger for life, and she should have a say in the kind of ring she will wear.

Although many couples still opt for the plain gold band to seal their marital commitment, most modern brides and grooms want to wear something fashionable as well as functional. In the wedding ring category, they'll find a plethora of styles, designs and finishes to choose from.

For instance, although gold is still the metal of choice for wedding rings, platinum has become extremely popular as a bridal metal. In fact, 40% of brides chose platinum for their wedding rings last year, up from 24% in 1998, according to Platinum Guild International. The allure of platinum is its unparalleled strength, durability and purity. Many wedding rings also combine the warmth of yellow gold with the cool white of platinum, providing a contemporary twist to a traditional classic.

For those who like the look of platinum but can't afford it, there is always white gold. White gold, which is pure gold that has been mixed with nickel, zinc, silver or other white metals, costs considerably less than platinum, but is also less durable.

Not only can today's brides and grooms choose from a dizzying array of fashionable solid metal bands, but they can also opt for wedding rings with diamonds or colored stones. Channel set bands - rings with a line of small diamonds set in a groove, or channel, along the band - are particularly popular. An increasing number of men are choosing wedding rings with diamonds, as well. One word of caution, however: when buying either a men's or women's diamond wedding band, make sure the stones are small enough so they don't overpower the engagement ring.

Other considerations for buying a wedding ring include:

• Buy from a jeweler you trust. This is a piece of jewelry you'll wear for the rest of your life - make sure you buy it from a reputable professional affiliated with organizations such as Jewelers of America or the American Gem Society which require high ethical standards of their members.
• Consider your lifestyle. If you or your spouse are athletic, outdoor types or work with your hands, pure gold (24 karat) probably isn't the choice for you because it's scratches and shows wear easily due to its softness.
• Consider your existing jewelry. Look at the kind of jewelry and watches you already wear, and consider how your wedding band will look next to them. A bride-to-be also needs to consider whether she'll wear her wedding band and engagement ring on the same finger, or whether she will move her engagement ring to her right hand and just wear the band on her left. If she plans to wear them together, she'll need to choose a wedding band that matches the engagement ring and sits comfortably against it.
• Establish a budget. Plain gold bands can be bought for less than $100, but fashion comes with a price. High-fashion bands with diamonds or other gemstones can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on the size and quality of the stones and the workmanship of the piece. Also keep in mind that a men's band tends to be more expensive than a woman's, because it tends to be larger, wider and denser.

How to Buy Her the "Right" Engagement Ring

Rare and fascinating, mysterious and magical, diamonds have amazed us, inspired us, and ignited our romantic passion since the dawn of time. No other gem is as universally revered as this beautiful, sparkling, precious token of love. Not only are diamonds the ultimate symbol of love and romance, but they also happen to be the hardest known substance on earth. It's no wonder that a gem with such strength, endurance and lasting appeal is the stone of choice for the vast majority of couples getting married today.

However, if you're like most men, you probably don't know a whole lot about diamonds. So how do you select the right one for your fiancée-to-be? After all, buying an engagement ring is one of the most important, emotion-filled purchases you will ever make, and you want to make sure she'll be as thrilled with it as you are. Here are some tips that will help you "pop the question" with confidence:

• Know the Four Cs - Cut, clarity, carat and color are the main factors that determine the quality of a diamond and thus, its price. It's critical to educate yourself in each of these areas before you start shopping.
• Do your homework - shop around, look at stores' Web sites, ask trusted friends and relatives where they buy their jewelry, do jewelry research on the Web. In other words, arm yourself with as much information as possible before you're ready to make the purchase.
• Know her style - pay attention when she admires someone else's engagement ring or a ring in an advertisement; ask her friends and family what she likes. Look in her jewelry box; notice the style of jewelry she already wears. Also note the kind of metal she prefers (yellow gold, white gold, platinum). Go shopping with her at the mall and browse by a few jewelry stores; you'll get to see first-hand what really catches her eye.
• Find her ring size - Just imagine - you pop the question, she happily accepts, she starts to put the ring on - and it doesn't fit. What a letdown. You want that magic moment to be perfect. So either get a ring from her jewelry box and bring it with you, or make an impression of her ring in soap or clay, or trace the inside of her ring on a piece of paper, or even put her ring on your own finger as far as it will go and mark that spot with a pen. A jeweler can get an accurate measurement through any of these strategies. And of course, you can always ask one of her best friends or relatives for her ring size - just be sure you choose someone who can keep a secret.
• Have a budget in mind, but be flexible - Diamonds are available in a range of prices, so you're certain to find one that suits your taste and budget. Once you understand the Four Cs, you'll be able to find a stone that represents the best value, based on the combination of color, cut, clarity and carat weight you desire. But don't automatically pass up the "perfect" ring just because it's more than you planned to spend. Remember that this is an investment that will last a lifetime - and it won't depreciate in value. Besides, most jewelers accept credit cards or offer financing that allows you to pay for the jewelry in installments. As for how much you should actually spend, consider the commonly accepted guideline of two month's salary. However, this is only a directional tool to help you establish a budget.

Wedding Ring

Choosing a wedding band can be far simpler than finding the perfect engagement ring. It's really just a question of choosing your colour and selecting a comfortable width. The traditional way for a woman to wear her wedding ring is on the same finger as the engagement ring but positioned first, so it's closer to the heart. If you choose this tradition, consider how the rings will look together in terms of colour and width.

There are no hard rules about whether or not her wedding band should be the same metal as her engagement ring. Many women like the symmetry of two identically matching rings, others prefer the look of two distinctive bands of colour. Of course, you could even choose a platinum band to go with a white gold engagement ring—it's all personal preference.

The same rules apply when you are deciding whether to match or complement each other's wedding bands. It is perfectly acceptable to prefer a different metal than your spouse. To be sure you'll enjoy your rings for the years ahead, just choose rings that you love.

Getting the right fit involves more than just careful sizing, you should also consider the general design of the ring. At Blue Nile, you have your choice of traditional or comfort-fit wedding bands. The traditional band has a flat interior surface and simple domed exterior. The comfort-fit band has slightly rounded inside edges to enable more comfortable long-term wear

When selecting the width of her wedding band, consider the width of her engagement ring. While it's perfectly acceptable if the two are of different widths, many women seem to prefer an identical or at least similar width. Again, it's a matter of personal preference.

At Blue Nile, men's wedding bands are available in 3, 4, 5, and 6mm widths. When selecting your width, consider the shape of your hand. Is your hand long and narrow or short and broad? Generally, your ring should match the shape of your hand. Narrow bands work best on narrow hands while broad bands are better for broad hands, but the bottom line is always personal preference.