Pop sensation, Beyonce, in her Grammy-winning song, “Single Ladies,” could not have sang it any better: “Cause if you like it, then you should’ve put a ring on it.” When the time is right and the love is ripe for the taking, why don’t you declare your love with a promise ring?

We may have heard of the wedding ring which is obviously exchanged during the matrimonial religious or civil ceremony. And you may also have noted of an engagement ring which is given in a period prior to the wedding date. A promise ring functions somewhat like a pre-engagement ring. When you give the ring to a romantic partner, you want to convey that you promise to stay true to your love for him or her.

A promise ring is in sum, a ring that symbolizes monogamy, even before the engagement period. There is no hard and fast rule which finger a promise ring is put on. But in the grand tradition of your typical engagement ring, it is best when worn in the left ring finger and occasionally the left middle finger (the latter is done so as to distinguish itself from the real engagement ring).

But just so you know, the promise ring is not the Jonas Brothers’ idea. It’s an old romantic tradition which goes back to the time when the literary work of “Romeo and Juliet” had just broken ground. They date as far back as the 1500s. Back in the day, this ring was completely named as “promise-to-marry” ring. But this gesture of undying love was also borne out of practicality—the poor lovers from the Middle Ages could not afford wedding rings with actual precious stones and so they made do with these promise rings which were crafted with lesser precious stones. The idea was that this promise ring would later be replaced by a fancier ring, once the lover would labor hard and earn it.

Besides being a cost-effective measure to profess one’s love, it was nothing short of romantic and poetic. The hard times did not stop lovers from engraving terms like “vous et nul autre” which translates to “you and no other” on the band of their promise rings. Another equally popular engraving reads, “a ma vie de coeur entire” which means “my whole heart for my whole life.” Who says poverty could stop you from making a poetic declaration of your love?

When you are ready to take the next step, go on and surprise your lover with a promise ring. You do not have to incorporate foreign language in the engraving. Instead, you can always personalize it with a message that comes from your heart. Also, you do not worry about blowing a whole paycheck on a promise ring you can barely afford. While you are still earning your keep and saving up for a future wedding, you can nonetheless bind your love to him or her with a modest promise ring. As always is the case, it’s the thought that counts the most.