Pre-engagement ring

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A pre-engagement ring, also called a promise ring or friendship ring Promise Ring.jpg
A pre-engagement ring, also called a promise ring or friendship ring

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.

Contents

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. [1] [2] 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, and plastic. [3] [4] Birthstones are also commonly used. [3] The ring or rings may be engraved with one or both of the names of those in the relationship, and potentially their nickname(s). [4]

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. [5] [6] It is advised to be given only after about six months to a year of a relationship. [7] 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. [3] They can be worn on any finger, but those symbolizing pre-engagement rings are generally worn 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. [1] Because it is not an official engagement, the ring may be worn on any finger. [8] It is also not uncommon for someone to wear a pre-engagement ring on a necklace. [1] They are considered more of a fashion accessory than an engagement or wedding ring are. [1] Costs for pre-engagement rings are almost always cheaper than an engagement ring due to the lower commitment and age of the giver and recipient. [1] Pre-engagement rings are often worn by people who are too young to actually get engaged but want to commit to their relationship. However, they may also be used by couples who do not wish to rush into marriage. [9] [3]

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). [4] [ vague ]

History

A Claddagh ring Claddaghring.jpg
A Claddagh ring

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. [1] Claddagh rings are another similar kind of ring. [1] The term 'promise ring' entered the "jewelry dictionary" in the 1970s. [7]

Impact

Pre-engagement rings entered prominence in the late 2000s and early 2010s. [1] One of the reasons for the increased prominence is the use by celebrities, including the Jonas Brothers, Jordin Sparks, Teyana Taylor, and Selena Gomez. [7] 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 man's ring and Beast and 'His Beauty' on the woman's. [10]

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. [11] 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." [12] 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. [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polyamory</span> Intimacy for multiple partners

Polyamory is the practice of, or desire for, romantic relationships with more than one partner at the same time, with the informed consent of all partners involved. People who identify as polyamorous may believe in open relationships with a conscious management of jealousy and reject the view that sexual and relational exclusivity (monogamy) are prerequisite for deep, committed, long-term, loving relationships. Others prefer to restrict their sexual activity to only members of the group, a closed polyamorous relationship that is usually referred to as polyfidelity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wedding</span> Ceremony where people are united in marriage

A wedding is a ceremony where two people are united in marriage. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, races, religions, denominations, countries, and social classes. Most wedding ceremonies involve an exchange of marriage vows by a couple, presentation of a gift, and a public proclamation of marriage by an authority figure or celebrant. Special wedding garments are often worn, and the ceremony is sometimes followed by a wedding reception. Music, poetry, prayers, or readings from religious texts or literature are also commonly incorporated into the ceremony, as well as superstitious customs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Engagement ring</span> Ring indicating that the person wearing it is engaged to be married

An engagement ring, also known as a betrothal ring, is a ring indicating that the person wearing it is engaged to be married, especially in Western cultures. A ring is presented as an engagement gift by a partner to their prospective spouse when they propose marriage or directly after a marriage proposal is accepted. It represents a formal agreement to future marriage. In most Western countries, engagement rings are worn mostly by women, and rings can feature diamonds or other gemstones. The neologism "mangagement ring" is sometimes used for an engagement ring worn by men. In some cultures, including Northern Europe, both partners wear matching rings, and engagement rings may also be used as wedding rings. In the Anglosphere, the ring is customarily worn on the left hand ring finger, but customs vary considerably elsewhere across the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Engagement</span> Promise to wed; period of preparation before marriage

An engagement or betrothal is the period of time between the declaration of acceptance of a marriage proposal and the marriage itself. During this period, a couple is said to be fiancés, betrothed,intended, affianced, engaged to be married, or simply engaged. Future brides and grooms may be called fiancée (feminine) or fiancé (masculine), the betrothed, a wife-to-be or husband-to-be, respectively. The duration of the courtship varies vastly, and is largely dependent on cultural norms or upon the agreement of the parties involved.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wedding ring</span> Finger ring which indicates that its wearer is married

A wedding ring or wedding band is a finger ring that indicates that its wearer is married. It is usually forged from metal, traditionally gold or another precious metal. Rings were used in ancient Rome during marriage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claddagh ring</span> Traditional Irish ring

A Claddagh ring is a traditional Irish ring in which a heart represents love, the crown stands for loyalty, and two clasped hands symbolize friendship.

Polyfidelity is a form of non-monogamy, a romantic relationship structure in which all members are considered equal partners and agree to restrict sexual and/or romantic activity only to other members of the group.

An open relationship is an intimate relationship that is sexually non-monogamous. The term is distinct from polyamory, in that it generally indicates a relationship where there is a primary emotional and intimate relationship between two partners, who agree to at least the possibility of sexual or emotional intimacy with other people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ring finger</span> Third from the thumb finger of a human hand

The ring finger, third finger, fourth finger, leech finger, or annulary is the fourth digit of the human hand, located between the middle finger and the little finger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little finger</span> Smallest finger of the human hand

The little finger, or pinkie, also known as the baby finger, fifth digit, or pinky finger, is the most ulnar and smallest digit of the human hand, and next to the ring finger.

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A bindi known as pottu and teep is a coloured dot or, in modern times, a sticker worn on the center of the forehead, originally by Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs from the Indian subcontinent.

Non-monogamy is an umbrella term for every practice or philosophy of non-dyadic intimate relationship that does not strictly hew to the standards of monogamy, particularly that of having only one person with whom to exchange sex, love, and/or affection. In that sense, "nonmonogamy" may be accurately applied to extramarital sex, group marriage, or polyamory. It is not synonymous with infidelity, since all parties are consenting to the relationship structure, partners are often committed to each other as well as to their other partners and cheating is still considered problematic behavior with many non-monogamous relationships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Purity ring</span> Ring worn to signal chastity

Purity rings are rings worn as a sign of chastity. Since the 1990s, in the United States, Christian organizations in the United States used the purity ring as a symbol of commitment. In particular, Catholic and evangelical Christian groups which promoted virginity pledges and virginity before marriage, such as True Love Waits and Silver Ring Thing. Wearing a purity ring is typically accompanied by a religious vow to practice abstinence until marriage. Chastity rings are part of the abstinence-only sex education movement and are intended to act as a physical reminder of the wearer's chastity vow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Selena Gomez</span> American singer, actress, and producer (born 1992)

Selena Marie Gomez is an American singer, actress, businesswoman, and producer. Gomez began her career as a child actress, starring on the children's television series Barney & Friends (2002–2004). She rose to prominence and emerged as a teen idol, for her leading role as Alex Russo on the Disney Channel sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–2012). She signed with Hollywood Records in 2008. As the lead vocalist, she formed the pop rock band Selena Gomez & the Scene, and released three studio albums from 2009 to 2011; each of the band's albums and singles were certified gold or higher by the RIAA.

Terminology within polyamory looks at the evolution and meaning of the word "polyamory" itself, as well as alternative definitions and concepts which closely relate to it.

Promise ring may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Same Old Love</span> 2015 single by Selena Gomez

"Same Old Love" is a song recorded by American singer Selena Gomez, who included it on and released it from her second studio album Revival (2015). The song was written by Charli XCX, Ross Golan, and its producers Stargate and Benny Blanco. The song was released as the second single from Revival on September 10, 2015, to contemporary hit radio. It was initially composed by XCX with Stargate and later recorded by Gomez without the former in the studio at the time. "Same Old Love" is a midtempo electropop and synth-pop song backed by a wonky piano loop, a finger-click beat and Italo disco synths. In the song, Gomez uses a forceful, emotive tone and a raspy delivery that are both uncharacteristic for her, accompanied by XCX's chorus vocals. According to Gomez, the lyrics are a representation of various stages of different relationships and are about getting rid of everything toxic in her life, also inspired by her relationship with her father.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queerplatonic relationship</span> Non-romantic intimate partnerships

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Claire, Coghlan. "What Is a Promise Ring? The Real Meaning". The Knot. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  2. Sardone, Susan Breslow (January 26, 2018). "What Does a Promise Ring Mean?". Trip Savvy. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "How to Choose a Pre-Engagement Ring That She'll Love". Love Bondings. November 28, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Farah, Ana Gabriela Verotti (July 2, 2013). "Relationships and Ring Wearing in Brazil". The Brazil Business. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  5. Philip-Phiri, Richard (2009). How to Grow Up the Right Way: Enter and Remain in Marriage. AuthorHouse.
  6. Seleshanko, Kristina (2009). Carry Me Over the Threshold. Zondervan.
  7. 1 2 3 "All you need to know about Promise Rings". Jewllerista. July 15, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  8. Mauer, Elena Donovan. "Ring Finger: What Hand Does Your Wedding and Engagement Ring Go On?". The Knot. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  9. "What is a Pre-Engagement Ring?". Vanessa Nicole. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  10. Miller, Tucker Cummings (June 9, 2016). "2. Disney Beauty And The Beast His And Hers Ring Set". Heavy. Archived from the original on 2019-01-19. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  11. Fabian-Weber, Nicole (February 22, 2012). "Justin Bieber's 'Pre-Engagement Ring' to Selena Gomez Is Cute, But Silly". Cafemom. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  12. Day, Pascale (October 10, 2017). "Cheryl shows off 'pre-engagement ring' as it's revealed she's changed her name back to Tweedy". Metro. Retrieved January 10, 2019.