When you decide to take your relationship to the next level, a diamond ring may be the best token and testimony. However, people always get caught up in the quagmire of choosing between a promise ring and an engagement ring. This is because promise rings and engagement rings look very similar physically, not to mention that they also share a common meaning: a commitment to another person. Therefore, it is important to understand the difference between a promise ring and an engagement ring as it exerts great influence on your determination between a promise ring and an engagement ring.

Although promise rings and engagement rings have similar meanings, their actual meanings are different, and there are even more different meanings behind promise rings. In addition, promise rings and engagement rings are also very different in terms cost, design, how they are worn, and how they are given. Here's what you need to know about the difference between a promise ring and an engagement ring.

difference between promise ring and engagement ring

1. Promise Ring vs Engagement Ring：Meaning

As you struggle with the choice of a promise ring or an engagement ring, do you have a clear understanding of the questions "what does a promise ring mean" and "what does an engagement ring mean"? Depending on the relationship you are in, a promise ring can have infinite applications and meanings, while an engagement ring has only one specific and tenacious meaning - to convey the intention to get married.

● What does a promise ring mean?

A promise ring, as the name suggests, denotes a commitment to another person. Whether you are committed to getting engaged on the road or are in a special and lasting friendship, you are allowed to give a promise ring to someone you love. In this case, a promise ring has a unique meaning to the wearer.

Pre-engagement: When you has the idea of getting married but is forced by some practical reasons such as finances, career, and health to not be ready to actively start planning the wedding, you can indeed use a promise ring for girlfriend to show your intention to get married at some point in the future. In this case, a simple promise ring for her makes sense as a symbol of commitment, exclusivity or monogamy. Additionally, if you are not quite sure if marriage is in line with your values or belief, but still want to prove that you are in a committed relationship, then a promise ring may be the perfect choice. Of course, there are many people who will choose to wear a diamond promise ring instead of an engagement ring simply because they have a similar meaning of commitment to another person.

Friendship: If you are in the midst of a special and lasting friendship at this time, you may choose to give a promise ring to your best friend to show your support and commitment of love to each other. If you are going your separate ways geographically or celebrating a special moment in your friendship, a promise ring can be a constant reminder of the memories you share together.

Love for children: Promise rings can also be given by parents to their children as a sign of their unconditional love for them.

Religious commitment: When you believe in and follow a religion, such as Christianity, you can wear a promise ring to declare your belief in that religion and to remind you of your religious goals and commitments on a daily basis.

Abstinence: When making a promise of abstinence until marriage, you can wear a promise ring as a statement or reminder. Some celebrities who publicly mention their personal commitment to celibacy prior to marriage also choose to wear a promise ring to prove their commitment to the public.

● What does an engagement ring mean?

Unlike a promise ring, an engagement ring has only one firm meaning - when you give a diamond engagement ring to someone, you are making a romantic and faithful promise to your relatives, friends and the public that you will join together in marriage and stay with each other for the rest of your lives.

2. Promise Ring vs Engagement Ring：Presentation

How to give a promise ring depends on the relationship you are in, but it is not as grand as an engagement ring, which marks a change in the couple's life, but is always a relaxed and low-key affair. Given that there is no exact agreement on a promise ring, you can be completely creative in offering one. You can wrap it in a jewelry box and give it to her/him as a surprise while watching a movie in the living room, lying in bed or in the car after work. The options of how to give a promise ring are endless.

Giving an engagement ring requires more planning and forethought than a promise ring, as it marks a change in the couple's relationship. The setting for the engagement ring presentation will typically be a fancy restaurant, surprise party, or a place that is special to both of you and where the proposing party will usually get down on one knee as a sign of sincerity and solemnity. In this case, there may also be many close friends and family members involved in the engagement to witness your special moment.

3. Promise Ring vs Engagement Ring：Design

Compared to engagement rings, promise rings are much simpler in design and usually consist of just an inexpensive metal band of silver, tungsten cobalt, titanium or stainless steel, so they can be much less durable. The metal band of a promise ring can be engraved with a meaningful message or designed in a shape that has additional significance. Diamonds can also be set into a promise ring, but they will usually be much smaller than in an engagement ring.

Engagement rings typically follow a specific design and will have at least one diamond set in the center of the ring. Gold and platinum are the most common materials used for diamond engagement ring bands. In addition, diamond engagement rings are given more design possibilities such as the diamond cut, the diamond color, the setting of the diamond, the style of appearance, etc. As a result, diamond engagement rings are more ornate and intricate in design than promise rings. Because of the wide variety of diamond engagement rings available and the fact that many ring brands, such as Darry Ring, offer unique diamond engagement rings, it is easy to find a style that matches your personal style.

4. Promise Ring vs Engagement Ring：Wearing Style

There are actually no clear rules about what finger does a promise ring go on. While people usually choose to wear a diamond promise ring on the ring finger of their left hand. You are more free to wear it on any finger of any hand. Besides, a promise ring can be worn as a pendant for a necklace.

For diamond engagement rings, custom dictates that the engagement ring be worn on the ring finger of the left hand, due to the belief that the ring finger of the left hand is closely connected to the heart. If a diamond promise ring has previously been worn on the left ring finger, couples will often transfer the promise ring to the right ring finger after the proposal.

5. Promise Ring vs Engagement Ring：Price

As mentioned earlier, diamond engagement rings are more intricate and ornate in design style than diamond promise rings, and the diamonds in engagement rings are larger than those in diamond promise rings. In addition, the metal band of a diamond engagement ring is more expensive and scarcer than the metal used in a diamond promise ring. As a result, diamond engagement rings are much more expensive than diamond promise rings.

A Diamond Engagement Ring or A Diamond Promise Ring?

Now that you understand the key features between these two rings, you must have a better idea of whether you should choose a diamond engagement ring or a diamond promise ring. If you are planning to propose and wish to further cement your relationship, then you should prefer a diamond engagement ring, since wearing them symbolizes a lifetime commitment.

Choosing a diamond engagement ring as the Darry Ring is a very meaningful and loyal decision, because Darry Ring is dedicated to guarding every true love by promoting the brand philosophy that one person in his life can buy the only one DR diamond engagement ring for his or her loved one. At Darry Ring, we offer different styles of diamond engagement rings in modern and vintage styles to match your unique personality. Wearing a DR engagement ring means that you will be together at any moment in this life, which is a lifetime commitment, loyalty, and responsibility.