A promise ring is any ring given and worn as a symbol of commitment. Wedding and engagement rings are promise rings. So are the signet rings worn by Catholic bishops and by the Pope, and the purity rings worn by evangelical Christian teenagers who have vowed to remain virgins until marriage. Friendship rings, exchanged by close friends and usually worn on the right hand, are also promise rings. More commonly, a promise ring is now defined as a pre-engagement ring. A young man gives one to his girlfriend as a sign that he considers the relationship serious and intends to be with her forever, but it is not an actual engagement. Instead of getting engaged to be married, the couple are getting engaged to be engaged. Though it is not as common, a woman may likewise give a promise ring...