Going for a Promise Ring? Try White Gold

If you're considering a promise ring to reach a plateau in your relationship and relax a little, perhaps stimulate the economy a little bit by spending some money and helping us all get out of the recession, then I'd suggest not getting something too overly swanky.

Chances are, if she's ready for a promise ring but not an engagement ring, she may get a little jumpy if the ring is a little more valuable than she had in mind. Value means commitment, and if you're not at the point of an engagement ring, you're probably not at the point of a promise ring with the value of one.

At the same time, don't just get her a stainless steel band or something. Silver is an option, but it is a bit on the cheap side and it tarnishes easily if you don't constantly take care of it. Platinum is out of the question, and rhodium is totally whacked out. (Over $80,000 a kilo. Don't go near it.) Yellow gold is a sensible option, but it's too obvious and indicative of some intended move, know what I mean?

In my head white gold is the most sensible metal to pick for these types of gifts. It doesn't scream gold, it isn't as cheap as silver, and it's not as swanky as platinum.

Though when buying white gold, be careful to make sure that your girl is not allergic to nickel. Even if she isn't try staying away from nickel alloyed white gold jewelry, since allergies have been known to develop. Instead, stick with either palladium or manganese, both of which make a beautiful white gold alloy. Silver can do the trick as well.