subject: Promise and Engagement Rings: Why Size Matters [print this page] Promise and Engagement Rings: Why Size Matters
The clich is sometimes true: nothing inspires envy among women quite like the big, shiny, multi-carat engagement ring. If engagement is seen as a sign of a woman's success in dating and relationships, then the bigger the ring, the greater the victory.
While the social pressure to get engaged and married adds to the appeal of engagement and promise rings, evolutionary psychology is a factor, too. Some experts believe that the female brain is hardwired to seek male protection a holdover from early societies in which women and children were physically vulnerable. An engagement or promise ring is a non-verbal way for a woman to signify to her peers that she has been successful in attracting and securing a male provider. And the bigger and more expensive the ring, the more likely her provider is to be of high status an alpha provider that puts her ahead ofher peers in the race to gain security.
While humans have come a long way from our origin, we still enjoy communicating our status to one another using symbols such as diamond promise and engagement rings. Men who are considering buying a promise or engagement ring for their sweethearts will do well to consider not only what message they are sending their lovers but also, what message the gift will send to other women.
Can't afford something big and flashy? Try a ring with multiple colourful stones that have a personal meaning, such as birthstone gems, or a poetic touch like heart details or an engraved band. In addition to getting a meaningful gesture of love from you, she'll have a personal symbol she'll be proud to show off now as much as ever.
