
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 15, 1995                   TAG: 9503150065
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                 LENGTH: Short

CHILD RINGS INCLUDE CHASTITY VOW

The newspaper ad beseeched parents to present their daughters with ``a special symbol of her important promise.''

Chastity rings, the brainchild of the giant Louisiana jewelry caster Stuller, are making their debut in jewelry stores across the country.

Fashioned of 10- or 14-karat gold, the delicate rings come in two styles: ``The Unblossomed Rose'' and ``The Gift-Wrapped Heart.''

``It's not my idea,'' said Charles Peddicord, of Charlie's Jewelry in Newport News. ``They sold out of these rings nationally. I bought the last few that they had.''

The rings come complete with a pale pink pledge card for girls that bears the words, ``Gift wrap your heart and give it to Jesus. You'll be surprised when he opens it.'' A similar pledge card for boys is pale blue.

On the back is a written pledge to God to ``remain sexually pure until the day I give myself as a wedding gift'' to a bride or groom. Beneath the pledge are blanks for ring recipients to sign and date.

Since Peddicord accepted his shipment of rings last month, one father has bought one for his daughter. But the dad wasn't sure what he would do with the pledge card.

``It's a little too strong for a lot of people,'' Peddicord said. ``The gentleman who bought one said, `I'll keep the card.' He didn't know if that would be a little bit too much. I mean, his daughter's only 10.''

by CNB