Promise ring
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A promise ring or friendship ring is a small, inexpensive ring given to a boyfriend or girlfriend, to promise not to court a rival. These indicate merely that serious courting is under way. No permanent commitment has been made by either party, but they give the partners an excuse for refusing social invitations from others.
A promise ring can be worn on any finger on the left or right hand, although ring fingers are far prefered. Most often it is the left ring finger, but due to engagement confusion, the right ring finger is finding acceptance in today's world.
In American society, a now-dead subculture in adolescent behavior existed. High school class rings (rings purchased to represent one's high school and year of graduation) were coveted by young women. "Wearing his class ring" meant that the couple was 'going steady' and that theirs was an exclusive relationship (if the young man wore a 'letter jacket' -- an overt symbol of athletic participation -- the young lady may have been gifted with that to show she's 'taken').
Some girls judge the seriousness of a promise ring by its value and by the size of its gem. In general, promise rings with a value of more than a half-week's pay might be considered engagement rings and are refused if the woman lacks a desire for a permanent relationship with the man.
In some cultures, young adults in partnership wear 'friendship rings' as a sign of their commitment to each other. Generally speaking, however, 'promise rings' are uncommon except for the very young.
In American Bahá'í culture, a promise ring may be given to a prospective engagement partner prior to the required consent of both individuals' parents. At that point, this ring can then be considered an engagement ring or can be replaced by another ring for that purpose.