Or that's what I hear, anyways. So the first question after 'how did he propose?' is what does the ring look like? And well, the best way I can describe that is to by saying "it looks like my ring."
But if you really wanted to know, I'm sure I can help you out with that.
It's blindingly sparkly.To describe it using my handy dandy Wedding Book it is a three stone ring - three round stones (the most popular and traditional shape gets its unparalleled shimmer from fifty-eight perfectly angled and proportioned facets. Maximum sparkle!) in illusion set (a built-up, ornate box surrounding the stone to make it appear larger), with the middle stone being slightly larger than the others, all on a simple white gold band (because it is my most favorite colour of gold).
Also interestingly, three-stone rings have a lot of symbolism attached to them. They can symbolize the past, present, and future and are also called trinity or trilogy rings. This sort of ring has been around for thousands of years and part of their appeal comes from the light bouncing back and forth off of each stone (I have been getting a few complaints from customers that my ring is blinding them. Actually only one grumpy customer. Most of them praise the sparkliness of the ring and are excited for me.) I am not quite certain why Nathan chose this ring for me, but I do know that I have a hard time leaving it off. I only take it off to shower, and unconsciously put it back on right afterwards.
For me, diamonds (or rings, in that matter) are not my best friends. I've never been a fan of wearing jewelry, but I am very proud of this ring, and I love being able to say that 'yes, I am engaged, we are getting married next year and I am so excited!' It has gotten very comfortable to wear, and so far I have only needed to buy one new pillow case (I hug my pillow in my sleep sometimes and.. yeah.) Also, I have learned not to scratch at my face in the morning with my left hand, after scratching it with the ring (nothing like seeing a lil red in the morning to wake you up fast).
It is interesting, while reading the book, to learn the backgrounds of some wedding (or pre-wedding) tradtions. In the case of the engagement ring, the concept came from the Romans, but the pharaohs of ancient Egypt (which the Romans probably picked up the idea from, as Romans did for all things, even their gods) saw rings as great symbols of eternity, as they have no beginning or end to them. And diamonds are also great symbols for marriage, as they are enduring, unbreakable and brilliant (for starters), so it's no surprise that they are often found on these rings.
Diamonds were first found in India around 400 B.C. Back then, people believed these stones held magical powers within. Now we know better (I think.) And I think back to the movie 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' when I learned that their name derived from the Greeks, who called them adamas which means, 'the unconquerable'. And they believed that the adamas were precious particles of stars that had fallen to Earth.
The first ever diamond engagement ring? Good question (even though you didn't ask, I'll tell you anyways, cuz I love you.) It was offered by Archduke Maximilian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy in 1477. At that time, rubies (which with their colour, symbolized the heart, love and passion) and sapphires (symbolized fidelity and the heavens) were the popular choice for engagement rings (if you could afford such nonsense in those days) but diamonds were rare and costly (so a great way to flaunt your wealth) and believed to ward off evil like snakes (but I like snakes..), fire (a good thing to ward off when most things are made of flammable materials) and poison (a good thing to ward off when you are nobility. Or you can just have a food taster. Flaunt that cash!). For 400 years these bad boys were so rare only royalty and aristocrats could afford these things, until they found huge deposits of them in South Africa. Then everyone could have them. Beautiful blood diamonds. Oops, the PC term is now 'conflict diamonds'. Or something.
Now boys and girls, here is a great question - why do people wear their engagement/wedding rings on their fourth finger? Well, that's up to argument, and seriously, I would think you wear em on whatever finger they can fit on. Or just wear them til you lose them down the drain one day (No worries Nathan, I promise not to lose it... anytime soon). But historians will argue it's because the ancient Egyptians believed that the vein of love ran from that finger right to the heart. And that is a sweet sentiment, no?
And if you are wondering about the wedding bands, well too bad, you don't get to see those til they are on our fingers. But Nathan has bought mine already, as they came in a matching set, and he has picked out his - which I will tell you is made of tungsten, a metal that is only rivaled in durability by diamonds.
Next time, I'll discuss Bridal Shows! Dun dun dunnnnnn!
Melody
Also interestingly, three-stone rings have a lot of symbolism attached to them. They can symbolize the past, present, and future and are also called trinity or trilogy rings. This sort of ring has been around for thousands of years and part of their appeal comes from the light bouncing back and forth off of each stone (I have been getting a few complaints from customers that my ring is blinding them. Actually only one grumpy customer. Most of them praise the sparkliness of the ring and are excited for me.) I am not quite certain why Nathan chose this ring for me, but I do know that I have a hard time leaving it off. I only take it off to shower, and unconsciously put it back on right afterwards.
For me, diamonds (or rings, in that matter) are not my best friends. I've never been a fan of wearing jewelry, but I am very proud of this ring, and I love being able to say that 'yes, I am engaged, we are getting married next year and I am so excited!' It has gotten very comfortable to wear, and so far I have only needed to buy one new pillow case (I hug my pillow in my sleep sometimes and.. yeah.) Also, I have learned not to scratch at my face in the morning with my left hand, after scratching it with the ring (nothing like seeing a lil red in the morning to wake you up fast).
It is interesting, while reading the book, to learn the backgrounds of some wedding (or pre-wedding) tradtions. In the case of the engagement ring, the concept came from the Romans, but the pharaohs of ancient Egypt (which the Romans probably picked up the idea from, as Romans did for all things, even their gods) saw rings as great symbols of eternity, as they have no beginning or end to them. And diamonds are also great symbols for marriage, as they are enduring, unbreakable and brilliant (for starters), so it's no surprise that they are often found on these rings.
Diamonds were first found in India around 400 B.C. Back then, people believed these stones held magical powers within. Now we know better (I think.) And I think back to the movie 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' when I learned that their name derived from the Greeks, who called them adamas which means, 'the unconquerable'. And they believed that the adamas were precious particles of stars that had fallen to Earth.
The first ever diamond engagement ring? Good question (even though you didn't ask, I'll tell you anyways, cuz I love you.) It was offered by Archduke Maximilian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy in 1477. At that time, rubies (which with their colour, symbolized the heart, love and passion) and sapphires (symbolized fidelity and the heavens) were the popular choice for engagement rings (if you could afford such nonsense in those days) but diamonds were rare and costly (so a great way to flaunt your wealth) and believed to ward off evil like snakes (but I like snakes..), fire (a good thing to ward off when most things are made of flammable materials) and poison (a good thing to ward off when you are nobility. Or you can just have a food taster. Flaunt that cash!). For 400 years these bad boys were so rare only royalty and aristocrats could afford these things, until they found huge deposits of them in South Africa. Then everyone could have them. Beautiful blood diamonds. Oops, the PC term is now 'conflict diamonds'. Or something.
Now boys and girls, here is a great question - why do people wear their engagement/wedding rings on their fourth finger? Well, that's up to argument, and seriously, I would think you wear em on whatever finger they can fit on. Or just wear them til you lose them down the drain one day (No worries Nathan, I promise not to lose it... anytime soon). But historians will argue it's because the ancient Egyptians believed that the vein of love ran from that finger right to the heart. And that is a sweet sentiment, no?
And if you are wondering about the wedding bands, well too bad, you don't get to see those til they are on our fingers. But Nathan has bought mine already, as they came in a matching set, and he has picked out his - which I will tell you is made of tungsten, a metal that is only rivaled in durability by diamonds.
Next time, I'll discuss Bridal Shows! Dun dun dunnnnnn!
Melody
