The Gift Guide to Heartfelt Promise Rings

By Roxanne Dudrick, Kyra Hensley
Published: 04/08/2021
Modified: 10/18/2022

Looking for the perfect promise ring for that special someone? We have the best style guide for you!

promise rings
The Gift Guide to Heartfelt Promise Rings
Featuring: JTV

On the hunt for the perfect promise ring? Presented as a romantic token of love, promise rings symbolize commitment and devotion in a serious relationship. Along with proclaiming your unbreakable bond, gifting a promise ring offers the chance to show your partner how well you understand their unique style.

This photo includes four silver rings with purplish blue stones at the center of each, accented with smaller clear stones.
Silver Rings with Tanzanite Stones

The Rich History and Symbolism of Promise Rings

A History of Promise Rings

The history of promise rings is said to date back to betrothal practices in ancient Rome. Hundreds of years ago, the precursor to promise rings (known as “posey” rings) were exchanged between lovers. These rings were often engraved with short poems and expressions of love to carry even when the lovers were apart from each other. 

Promise Ring Symbolism

Promise rings now represent a variety of promises. Most commonly, it’s a promise to the person you know who you want to spend the rest of your life with. But it can also be a promise to yourself and your commitment to a particular way of life. Regardless of what the promise is, the powerful expression and daily reminder of a promise ring is too powerful to ignore. 

Alternative Gemstones for Promise Rings

Traditionally, couples tend to gravitate towards the more popular diamond and gold promise ring but there is nothing wrong with shopping for alternative gemstone promise rings for a more personalized experience. 

The promise ring for your special someone should be something with a unique flair and colorful gemstone promise rings will mean the world to someone who wants a creative expression of love that comes from the heart and not from simply following what’s always been done. From fiery moissanite to dainty morganite, find the alternative gemstone promise ring that speaks to your love for them. 

Tanzanite Promise Rings

If you're seeking a rare gemstone to represent your once-in-a-lifetime love, look no further than a tanzanite promise ring. This precious gemstone is naturally found in only one location on Earth: Tanzania. This single-source gem is believed to be one thousand times rarer than diamond and continues to grow in popularity due to its exotic violet blue hues. 

Show your special someone how much you care with an impeccable blue tanzanite ring. Tanzanite is recognized as one of the four December birthstones, adding an extra sentimental value for those who celebrate a birthday, anniversary or special memory from that month.

Shop tanzanite rings at JTV for a promise ring that shows just how unique your love is. 

Moissanite Promise Rings

For something traditional with a twist, give the shimmering gift of a moissanite promise ring. These dazzling jewels are synonymous with intense sparkle at an affordable price, so you can't go wrong with any choice from our diverse selection of moissanite shapes, cuts, and settings. 

Moissanite is second only to diamond when it comes to hardness, which means it’s a gemstone perfectly suited for everyday wear. Not only that but moissanite has two times the fire of average diamonds and a brilliance unlike any other gemstone. 

Shop moissanite rings at JTV for a fiery gemstone that is perfect for a dazzling declaration of love.

This is a photo of four classic engagement rings stacked on top of each other photographed on a pink background. Each ring is silver with clear stones of different shapes and sizes.

Blue Zircon Promise Rings

Zircon is the oldest known gemstone with crystals dating back four billion years. What could be a better way to show them that your love is eternal? 

A sophisticated blue zircon ring is a wonder of fine craftsmanship, but zircon is available in a wide range of colors, making it easy to specialize a ring to her unique interests. White zircon is even an option if you’re looking at different colorless gemstone options. 

Make a bold statement of commitment with this intricately detailed promise ring fit for a queen. Shop zircon rings at JTV. 

Pink Morganite Promise Rings

There’s something especially romantic about the combination of rose gold and morganite. This pale pink gemstone is full of grace and elegance, perfect to make your special someone feel like a princess. 

Named for the financier and gem enthusiast JP Morgan, morganite has wonderful qualities: it's durable, has a high luster, is available in relatively large stones and is quite brilliant. Shop morganite rings at JTV. 

This is a close up image of a circular cut silver ring with a teal blue gemstone in the center surrounded by very small clear gemstones on the outside.
Silver Ring with Blue Zircon Gemstone
This is a close up image of a rose gold ring with a rose gold band and rose gold stone, photographed on a light pink background.
Rose Gold Ring with Morganite Stone

Promise Ring FAQS

What is a promise ring?

A promise ring is a sign of devotion, affection and commitment to your relationship. While some people consider engagement rings to be the first step in making a relationship official, a promise ring can be given sooner than an engagement ring as a first step in making all the promises of a lifelong relationship: to love and cherish, to have and to hold.

What finger does a promise ring go on?

Promise rings can be worn on any finger of any hand, but there are a few traditions people like to follow to make their promise ring tradition more meaningful. Wearing your promise ring on the fourth finger of your left hand is standard for many people. Once a proposal happens or the wedding bells have rung, people will switch their promise ring to their right hand. 

But as we said, you can wear your promise ring on any finger. Some even choose to wear their promise rings on a chain around their neck to avoid confusion about whether or not the couple is already engaged. 

How much should a promise ring cost?

The cost of promise ring can vary but typically, the range of promise ring costs is anywhere from $100 to $500. Depending on the materials used, a promise ring could cost more or less than this range. Higher end gemstones or purer metals like 18k gold will increase the price slightly. 

Shop promise rings at JTV for affordable prices within your budget. 

When should I give a promise ring?

Promise rings are a sign of commitment (AKA. a promise) to the one you want to spend the rest of your life with. And while it’s possible to know from the moment sparks begin to fly that they’re the one, promise rings are typically presented after being in a relationship for anywhere from six months to a year. 

Promise rings can also be given later in the relationship, but they’re not to be confused with an engagement ring, which signifies the beginning of starting your life and your marriage together.

This is a close up photo of a gold banded ring with a large, oval purple stone in the center surrounded by much smaller clear stones on the outside.
Gold Tanzanite Ring

How do I gift a promise ring?

Gifting a promise ring can be a simple gift or a romantic overture; it really depends on what your partner is looking for. Some enjoy the surprise of being presented with a ring while others don’t like surprises at all. If she’s more fashion inclined, she might want to be involved in the selection of a promise ring. But there are others who would be happy to receive a classic promise ring that effortless blends into any outfit. 

Remember to be specific about the intent of the ring. If they’re expecting your gift to be an engagement ring, the magic of the moment can be lost in the confusion.

Is a promise ring the same as an engagement ring?

Promise rings and engagement rings are not the same but they come from a similar perspective of naming a commitment to the person you love before you are married to them. While engagement rings are recognized as being a formal part of a marriage proposal, promise rings are just as romantic. 

Is a promise ring the same as an eternity ring

While promise rings and eternity rings are both beautiful expressions of love, their occasions are slightly different from one another. Promise rings are seen by many as a precursor to an engagement ring for couples that know that their love is strong but the time to pop the question? Not quite yet. 

Eternity rings are typically presented after the couple has been engaged or married to mark a milestone in their relationship. Whether they’re celebrating a wedding anniversary, the birth of a child, or becoming empty nesters, couples who choose to celebrate with eternity rings are adding to their collection of symbolic rings with new meaning and new stories attached. 

Where should I buy a promise ring? 

Whether you're shopping for your significant other or browsing rings for yourself before dropping a hint or two, there's much to explore at JTV. Shop our full selection of sparkling ring styles in a rainbow of captivating colors here!