What is a purity ring?

A purity ring is a ring that symbolizes a commitment or a vow to abstain from sex until marriage. A purity ring is usually worn on the left ring finger, the same finger that wedding rings are traditionally worn on.

The tradition of purity rings originated in the 1990s in the United States and was driven by sexual abstinence groups with Christian affiliations. Purity rings are also known as abstinence rings or chastity rings. A person wearing a purity ring typically also swears a religious vow to commit themselves to abstinence before marriage. As of 2014, celebrities who have been seen wearing purity rings include Jessica Simpson, Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers.