A promise ring is the symbol of your love for another person and it should be special and personal, but it should also reflect the wearer's style. In this guide, we're going to provide you with a few pointers on how to choose a promise ring that she will rave about because it shows that you really "get" her.

Americans are increasingly likely to delay marriage, but why?

Financial stability is a big factor, but it's not the only one. Research also indicates that people who marry in their late 20s and early 30s are less likely to divorce than those who get married earlier or later.

As the marriage age changes, it makes sense that the way we define commitment will as well. Promise rings are ideal for those couples who want to express their devotion to one another without an official engagement.

If you're not sure how to choose a promise ring, you've come to the right place. Shopping for a promise ring is similar but not identical to shopping for an engagement ring.

So how do you choose a promise ring that fits hers style?

Read on to find out more about promise rings.

Not all couples follow it, but recent tradition dictates that an engagement ring should cost two months of a man's salary. That came about thanks to a series of ads in the 1980s with lines like "You can't look at Jane and tell me she's not worth 2 months' salary."

For promise rings, there's no similar set price point. But since a promise ring represents a different level of commitment, it makes sense that it would also cost less than an engagement ring. How much less is up to the person buying the ring.

If you and your beloved are waiting until you can save up a little more money for an official engagement and wedding, then stick to that. There are multiple promise ring styles that won't mess up your budget.

A promise ring can be romantic and practical at the same time. It should be something that your partner will cherish as well as a piece of jewelry they won't mind trading in when the proposal does come.

First off, decide if you want to go for a diamond or something else. A diamond is a classic for a reason, but for some couples it makes sense to save the diamond for the engagement and go for an alternate gemstone like a sapphire or emerald.

Buying a ring with her birthstone is another idea. If she was born in April, then her birthstone is actually a diamond.

If you do decide to go with a diamond, there will be a few shapes to pick from, among them round, princess, pear, oval, and heart.

Round is the most popular style. It's a classic for a reason: The round shape can usually be cut in a way that maximizes sparkle.

Think about the ring after it's been slipped on your girlfriends' finger. How do you want ring to look when the light hits it? You can always amp up the brilliance later, but for promise rings, a little sparkle goes a long way.

A narrow sterling silver ring band works well for promise rings. Gold and rose gold styles are also popular. Rose gold in particular is a color worth paying attention to, as it can be flattering for a variety of skin types.

Think about the weight of the gem when you're considering the ring band, too. Promise rings tend to be less weighty, and so a narrow band is more likely to complement a one-eighth or one-tenth karat ring.

Don't forget that it's the year 2018, and the woman doesn't have to be the only one sporting a promise ring. A man can wear one too, and you and your sweetheart may even want to get matching promise rings.

Most promise rings are not going to be presented via an elaborate show, which takes some of the pressure of surprise away from the whole thing.

A promise ring can appear seemingly out of nowhere, or it can be something that you both know is on the way.

Make sure you have some idea of her ring size before you go jewelry shopping, though. Too many men focus on things like color and shape, only to end up with a ring that simply doesn't fit.

The best way to find out your girlfriend's ring size is to ask her. If that's too straightforward, you can always try to measure her ring hand while she's asleep, but that's a riskier move.

Save the riskier stuff for the public proposal, assuming you both want a public proposal. For the promise ring, either ask her size or take her to a jewelry shop to get measured.

Choosing the latter option also lets you observe her as she roams around the shop. What kind of gemstones is she drawn to? What's her sense of personal style, and how does that relate to the type of promise ring she'd feel most comfortable wearing?

If none of the types of promise rings you look at seem to fit, you can opt for a more personalized route by getting a bespoke ring.

Don't be alarmed by the word "bespoke," since it just means a ring that's been customized. It's not something you can buy off the shelf, so to speak.

One of the most intimate ways to personalize a promise ring is to engrave something on the inside of the band. It could be both of your names. It could be a special date, like the day you met or the first time you went out together.

Adding a date to your promise ring is a perfect way to create symmetry when you eventually trade it for a wedding ring. If your promise ring has the day you first met engraved on the inside, getting your wedding date engraved on your wedding rings will be a tangible reminder of just how far the two of you have come together.

Now that you know the basics of how to choose a promise ring, it's time to move on to more advanced studies.

We take the "promise" in promise ring just as seriously as you do, and we have a variety of resources to help you find the perfect match.

We'd love to play a part in your unique love story, so contact us today to see what we can do.