I am not one for the idea of promise rings. Yes they are pretty, but that is about it. More often than not the boyfriend and girlfriend break up and the promise ring and the principle behind it is rendered useless and the commitment is then broken between those two individuals. Our society does not understand what that word really means. Commitment. In the "good old days", word was law. When someone said they were going to do something, 9 times out of 10 they would. When someone gives an engagement ring they have decided for better or for worse, until death do us part. A promise ring should symbolize something similar, but often it is given by an eighth grader who is confessing his undying love for his girlfriend who then dates for a few more weeks and then splits up. It holds no value of commitment because usually very little thought and consideration is put behind the purchase of it and is usually bought in the height of emotion or because the girlfriend in the relationship wants one. If you really intend to commit to your boyfriend or girlfriend and want to show "promise" to your significant other before the big step of engagement, do it in your actions and in your words, not with a piece of jewelry. Tell them that you love them. Show them through your thoughtfulness. But do not buy a promise ring.