Get All the Juicy Insider Secrets to Buying Promise Rings
Don't Buy an Engagement Ring Lookalike
If Terry would have surprised me with a promise ring that looked like an engagement ring, I would have thought he was proposing. If he then told me that it was just a promise ring, I would have felt embarrassed for jumping to such extreme conclusions. Your girlfriend will likely have the same reaction. To avoid potential embarrassment, arguments, "the talk" and even potentially being guilted into marriage, avoid engagement ring lookalikes at all costs.
Opt for a Gemstone Ring
Consider buying your girlfriend a promise ring with her birthstone as the gem. Gemstone promise rings are not likely to be mistaken for a promise ring. They will help you avoid the sticky situation mentioned above. Get her a promise ring set in her favorite metal and have her gemstone as the setting. Personally, me and Terry opted for gemstone promise rings. My gemstone is Aquamarine and his is Blue Topaz, both are light blue so they look like a set. A quality gemstone promise ring will run you anywhere from $50 to $350. Don't be fooled by the price range, just because a ring is priced at a higher price doesn't mean that it will be of better quality. I learned this from experience, I purchased his ring towards the top of this price range, and less than a year later his ring is starting to show signs of wear.
Buy a Diamond Promise Ring
I know it may seem as if I'm contradicting the advice I have already given you, but hear me out. There is one exception to buying a promise ring that looks like an engagement ring. It's okay to buy your girlfriend a promise ring that looks like an engagement ring only when she is aware of the fact that you are buying her a promise ring. This is because she won't be caught off guard and immediately assume that the promise ring is indeed an engagement ring. You can opt for a real diamond engagement ring if your budget allows and simply present it as a promise ring, but engagement rings tend to have a scary price tag way into the thousands. If you want to buy a promise ring that looks like a diamond ring, opt for a CZ promise ring. A CZ promise ring is a simulated (man-made) diamond. CZ rings get a bad rap because they are often sold at cheap-o shops like Claire's and Spencer's, but if you purchase a CZ promise ring that is set on an 18k gold band, the ring will look very high quality and expensive. Expect to pay in the range of $35 to $55 for a quality CZ promise ring.
Source: Lehticia Leo, Yahoo Contributor Network
Don't Buy an Engagement Ring Lookalike
If Terry would have surprised me with a promise ring that looked like an engagement ring, I would have thought he was proposing. If he then told me that it was just a promise ring, I would have felt embarrassed for jumping to such extreme conclusions. Your girlfriend will likely have the same reaction. To avoid potential embarrassment, arguments, "the talk" and even potentially being guilted into marriage, avoid engagement ring lookalikes at all costs.
Opt for a Gemstone Ring
Consider buying your girlfriend a promise ring with her birthstone as the gem. Gemstone promise rings are not likely to be mistaken for a promise ring. They will help you avoid the sticky situation mentioned above. Get her a promise ring set in her favorite metal and have her gemstone as the setting. Personally, me and Terry opted for gemstone promise rings. My gemstone is Aquamarine and his is Blue Topaz, both are light blue so they look like a set. A quality gemstone promise ring will run you anywhere from $50 to $350. Don't be fooled by the price range, just because a ring is priced at a higher price doesn't mean that it will be of better quality. I learned this from experience, I purchased his ring towards the top of this price range, and less than a year later his ring is starting to show signs of wear.
Buy a Diamond Promise Ring
I know it may seem as if I'm contradicting the advice I have already given you, but hear me out. There is one exception to buying a promise ring that looks like an engagement ring. It's okay to buy your girlfriend a promise ring that looks like an engagement ring only when she is aware of the fact that you are buying her a promise ring. This is because she won't be caught off guard and immediately assume that the promise ring is indeed an engagement ring. You can opt for a real diamond engagement ring if your budget allows and simply present it as a promise ring, but engagement rings tend to have a scary price tag way into the thousands. If you want to buy a promise ring that looks like a diamond ring, opt for a CZ promise ring. A CZ promise ring is a simulated (man-made) diamond. CZ rings get a bad rap because they are often sold at cheap-o shops like Claire's and Spencer's, but if you purchase a CZ promise ring that is set on an 18k gold band, the ring will look very high quality and expensive. Expect to pay in the range of $35 to $55 for a quality CZ promise ring.
Source: Lehticia Leo, Yahoo Contributor Network