History of Promise Rings
Promise rings have been around since ancient times. Roman brides wore promise rings during the 2nd century BC as a symbol of a promise of marriage, since law stated that couples must wait a certain period of time from announcing an intention to marry to the ceremony itself.
Posy rings, rings featuring an engraving of a romantic poem, were popular in England from the 15th to 17th century as symbols of romantic affection and devotion, and even survive in abundance today, indicating a lasting trend as opposed to a centuries-old fad.
Posy rings faded in popularity, though, as Acrostic rings rose to prominence in the Georgian and Victorian eras. Acrostic rings spell out a word -- such as “regard” or “love”-- in gemstones and served as a token of romance between couples.
Jewelry and rings have continued to act as a promise of commitment throughout time, as with the mid-century American tradition of high school boys giving their girlfriends their pin or class ring as a sign of “going steady.”
In the last decade, as celebrities like Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers wore promise rings as symbols of their commitment to purity and chastity, promise rings have risen in popularity.