Diamond "I Love You" Band in 14K White Gold from szul.com

Some will tell you that the commitment ring comes before the engagement ring, and some say that it comes after the engagement ring and before the wedding ring.

Others say it replaces the engagement and wedding rings, and shows a couple's commitment without all the hassle of a wedding - of course, these couples miss out on the gifts, but that's their loss!

So what's the real scoop? Well, logic might say the commitment ring should proceed the engagement ring; after all, if the couple can afford the engagement ring, why not skip the commitment ring and go straight for the engagement? Those who really like jewelry might say this is a wasted opportunity for another piece of bling, albeit much more subdued.

Whatever the proper order, the commitment ring (sometimes referred to as a promise ring if used in the heterosexual sense) is a sweet gesture that puts your sweetie on "hold" until you or both of you can afford the real thing. Or, if you choose not to wed, it at least lets everyone else still on the market know that your other half is not on the market.

But this brings us to another point of contention. On which finger is the commitment ring worn? Well, again, it seems logical that it's worn on the left hand ring finger, although some choose to wear it on the right, simply because it's not quite official, but almost (this is similar to, but not quite like, being a little bit pregnant). Those in the same-sex arena wear them on the left ring finger, because in this instance, it is the real thing.

Commitment rings tend to be less flashy than engagement rings (except for those in the movie-star sector) and are less expensive. They're more symbolic than flashy, and are worn primarily for the symbolism (of course, engagement and wedding rings once started out this way, so stay tuned for future developments...).

Where do you buy commitment rings? Almost any jeweler carries them, and if they don't, any ring will work that strikes your fancy. There are, however, some really nice designs specifically made for this purpose, so if you're off the market and in the market for a commitment ring, it may be worth your while to take a look. For starters, try szul.com, where they have a fabulous range of diamond rings starting from as little as $75.

Diamond Engagement Rings	Diamond Wedding Rings
Designer Engagement Rings	Celtic Engagement Rings