what is the difference between a promise ring, engagement ring, and wedding ring?

Question

I mean, I understand about the definitions. But for example my boyfriend and I have have been living together and have now discussed marriage. He is planning on buying me a ring to symbolize and engagement, and then we will set a date. But since I dont know much about the subject I just wanted to get some insight. What type of ring is given for an engament and then what for the wedding?

Answer 1

The first ring that would be given (if he chooses to) is the promise ring. this ring symbolizes his promise and your promise to be faithful to each other and basically tells everyone that you are both off the market. This ring is thin and small...usually has a small diamond (under a 1/10th karat). The engagement ring is the ring given when you and he promise to each other to be married at some point. This ring is usually in gold or white gold with a large diamond (solitare) or with three stones like mine. This is worn on the left ring finger. The wedding band is either a plain gold band or a band that matches the engagement ring. this ring is given on your wedding day as part of the ceremony. it is worn together with the engagement ring on your left hand.

Answer 2

A promise ring is a ring that you give to show that you are serious with someone with the assumption/promise that you will one day be engaged and then be married. Really a promise ring is not that serious. If you are serious about getting married then get an engagment ring. It used to be that an engagement ring was supposed to be 3 months salary. But in this day and age that may be unattainable. What you should do is set a budget, something that you can payoff in a reasonable amount of time (say before the wedding!). Then educate yourself on cut, clarity and inclusions. Then go to a store such as Zales (in the US or Peoples/Mappins in Canada) Most of these stores will have a set prive point on certain size of diamonds. This means you can shop around at different locations for the best diamond possible (all will be the same price, look at the rings gemscan or how ever they rate the diamonds). This means that for $1,500 you might be able to find a diamond between 0.2 to 0.25 carate. With good clarity, cut and unoticible inclusions. (Canadian Prices) Get the best bang for your buck!! Another bonus that most people do not know about is that many of these retail jewlery stores have policies that allow you to trade in your solitaire diamonds for one that is twice the value. This means that even if you can not afford a really large diamond now, by your 5th or 10th anniversary you can trade up for a ring that is twice the amount of the first. For a wedding band you can have just a plain band or some rings come in sets (engagement rings and wedding bands together). Just concentrate on the engagement ring for now, unless you get an amazing deal. A plain band can start at just around $100 and go up depending on if you have any fancy details or diamonds included. When you are getting married, the bride does buy the grooms wedding band. But usually by this time you have looked at bands together and know which ones you like. So it usually isn't a surprise

Answer 3

A promise ring is generally a small ring a guy gives his girl to show that he is committed but not ready to be officially engaged. Some couples do this - some don't and the ring is generally a smaller version of an engagement ring.

The engagment is a larger ring, usually with one large central diamond, that is given to the girl when he proposes.

The wedding ring is a simpler band, that goes together with the engagment ring. It is given tot he bride during the ceremony, and is then worn on the same finger with the engagment ring afterwards:)

Answer 4

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RE:
what is the difference between a promise ring, engagement ring, and wedding ring?
I mean, I understand about the definitions. But for example my boyfriend and I have have been living together and have now discussed marriage. He is planning on buying me a ring to symbolize and engagement, and then we will set a date. But since I dont know much about the subject I just wanted...

Answer 5

Well of course a promiss ring is one in which you know your serious but not as far as thinking about marriage. More like a "I love you very much ring" Engagement ring is a ring for everyone to know that Hay! I am getting married!! Most people buy the set together. Me I am real picky. I like mine and my husbands to match. My engagment ring is a white gold ring with a small diamond in the center with a cross ettched with a pattern on each side of the stone and my wedding ring is three crosses ettched with the pattern on the band. (my husband's also) I am so picky on this that my ex husband and I went to pick our rings and I made him get the exact same ring cause the mens rings all looked different from mine. (he got a girls ring) BUt there are people who buy seperate rings not together and then go buy something that will look good with the engagment ring.

Answer 6

An engagement ring is usually the one with the "rock" in it...then the wedding BAND usually matches it.

As far as a promise ring...it's generally smaller and not as flashy and goes on the ring finger of the left hand, then you wear it on the other hand once you get the engagement ring.

Answer 7

"A promise ring or friendship ring is a ring given to a boyfriend or girlfriend, to promise to be committed in a serious relationship, usually a precurer to marriage. These indicate that serious courting is under-way. It can be given as a symbol that a couple does not feel that it is an appropriate time to consider engagement or marriage but are serious about each other and their relationship."

"In Western tradition, an engagement ring is a ring worn by a woman on her left-hand ring finger indicating her engagement to be married. By modern convention, the ring is usually presented as a betrothal gift by a man to his prospective bride while or directly after she accepts his marriage proposal. It represents a formal agreement to future marriage."

"A wedding ring or wedding band consists of a precious metal ring, usually worn on the base of the left ring finger – the fourth finger (counting from the thumb) of the left hand. In some parts of the world, it is worn on the right ring finger (e.g. Bulgaria, Norway, Germany, Poland or Russia).

Such a ring symbolizes marriage: a spouse wears it to indicate a marital commitment to fidelity. The European custom of wearing such a ring has spread widely beyond Europe."

Answer 8

A ring with a solitaire diamond is an engagement ring, the band that matches it is the wedding ring. A promise ring doesn't have a diamond.

Answer 9

The engagement ring is the one with the diamonds on it, and the wedding band is a simple ring to accompany the engagement ring. The promise ring is a symbol that the couple is "courting" -- dating with the intent of engagement.

I say, the promise ring is a waste of money and time. My husband and I laughed about them so much, that when we were in college, he gave me a silver band with the word "maybe" engraved on the top. It was my "maybe" ring :)

Have him buy the engagement ring, buy the wedding rings together, and skip the promise ring.

Answer 10

k, let me try to explane this. A promice ring is saying that I truly love you ,snd I want to take are relation ship to the next level, an engament ring is the one that you use to propse, and usually is pretty small and sliver is the best. And finaly, the wedding ring. Thats the one that you give ot your mate at your wedding, and usually is gold, and has a big rock in it, and has tiny stoes (pebbles) around it.