Wedding Ideas

When the Christmas season rolls around each year, economists reveal the Christmas Price Index, which is a calculation of the cost to purchase all of the gifts in the popular holiday song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” This year, the Christmas Price Index checks in at a whopping $101,119.84 to purchase all of those French hens and maids-a-milking. However, if it is just golden budget wedding rings that you are looking for, you may be able to spend significantly less than this year’s Christmas Price Index.

Christmas is a popular time to propose marriage, whether you hide a set of diamond cluster rings in the toe of a Christmas stocking or have a waiter bring out a glass of diamond-studded champagne at your favorite restaurant. The best way to keep on a budget for both Christmas AND your wedding is to consider purchasing high-quality trio wedding rings sets that are composed of real diamond cluster rings.

If golden budget wedding rings are on your Christmas list (and in sets of three rather than sets of five), then here are a few options for you to consider:

1. Budget Wedding Rings: Floral

If your bride-to-be is a lover of gardens and all things floral, consider a trio wedding ring set that includes a cluster of diamonds on the engagement ring which is arranged in the shape of a stunning flower. This set includes not only the flower-centered engagement ring, but also two other diamond cluster rings: two wedding bands that are set with a more simple pattern of diamonds in a straight line in the 14 k yellow gold that will allow the engagement ring to really stand out. For only $836.99 for all three rings, you are sure to come in way under this year’s Christmas Price Index.

2. Budget Wedding Rings: Modern

For a more modern look, consider this set of budget wedding rings which features a large square-shaped cluster of diamonds in the engagement ring. All three rings in the set feature a pattern of angular lines to complement the visual statement of the engagement ring, and the wedding bands are both set with diagonal stripes of lustrous diamonds. At $1019.99, this set costs about one hundred times less than the Christmas Price Index for this year.

You put a lot of thought into choosing diamond cluster rings that fit both your style and your budget. Now that you have picked out and purchased your affordable wedding rings, how can you have some free fun with the beautiful rings that you picked out?

1. Get your affordable wedding rings cleaned.

One of the best ways you can take care of your diamond cluster rings is to periodically get them cleaned and inspected. Many jewelers offer free ring cleaning and inspection, especially if you take them to a local jeweler rather than a big jewelry chain store. Free ring cleaning is a very inexpensive thrill. Even if your ring didn’t look dirty to you, you will be excited to see the intense sparkle of your real diamond ring afterwards.

2. Get a manicure.

No, a manicure at an expensive spa is not a free wedding ring thrill. But if you get together with a friend and pool your nail care stashes, you can give each other manicures for free. File your nails, smooth them with lotion, and have a friend paint your nails with a long-lasting neutral shade. Now your hands will be ready to be grabbed by inquisitive friends and family who want to admire your engagement and wedding rings up close.

3. Take a photograph of your affordable wedding rings.

Once your diamond cluster rings are cleaned and your nails are manicured, get a friend to take several pictures of your sparkling fingers. Or, if you already have professional engagement or wedding photography planned, ask your photographer to take pictures of your rings on your fingers for your memories. Some couples like to have a picture of their hands to be enlarged and framed for their new home. Others like to have an informal snapshot of their ringed hand as a Facebook profile picture to announce their engagement or marriage.

Photo Credit: Flickr (powellizer)

The history of the wedding ring is not fully understood. Many sources cite ancient Rome as the original birthplace of the wedding ring, but others cite ancient Egypt as the home of the wedding tradition centuries before. And these ancient Egyptian rings were pretty different from today’s gold and diamond wedding bands. Brides wore rings woven from plants that grew alongside the Nile River. These makeshift rings, a far cry from a diamond cluster ring of today, usually did not survive very long with daily wear. Later, women were given more long-lasting metal rings. At the time, iron was the preferred substance to make these rings, but iron rings had the problem of growing rusty.

As the tradition of wedding rings passed from the Egyptians to the Greeks to the Romans, and all over Europe, the use of more precious metals and jewels became increasingly common. In fact, in Ireland, it was considered bad luck to use any metal besides gold for a wedding ring. Diamonds became popular due to their strength and durability. Interestingly, the use of more expensive materials to create wedding rings transformed the ring into a symbol of an economic contract between families more than a sacred contract between two people.

Although there is no mention of wedding rings in the Bible, some wedding ring traditions do originate from the Catholic Church. Indeed, in the 13th century, Pope Innocent III standardized marriage practices. One change he instituted was an expected waiting period between an engagement and a wedding. He also mandated that a different ring should be used to formalize each contract. That is why women generally have both an engagement ring and a wedding ring today.

For centuries, it was women alone who wore wedding rings. That changed in the twentieth century. World War II brought about the change for many countries. The tradition of wearing a wedding band expanded to men so that they would have a happy reminder of their lives back home with them when they went off to fight. Wedding ring traditions continue to grow and change around the world. In some cultures, gold and diamond wedding bands are traditionally worn on the toe rather than on the finger. In other cultures, it is traditional to give an additional diamond cluster ring for a major wedding anniversary.

Whatever your religious or cultural tradition, you can find a diamond cluster ring set that best reflects your own relationship, while continuing a tradition that has become an important symbol of the marriage vows.

Photo Credit: TMAB2003

Summer is almost here, and you’ve been thinking that you are ready to propose to your girlfriend. Pick out an inexpensive trio ring set that includes a beautiful real diamond engagement ring, and surprise your girlfriend with a proposal at your closest beach. Here are a few creative proposal ideas to get you started.

1. Find a large stick to write “Marry me!” in the wet sand close to the water. Be certain that your girlfriend reads your message before the waves wash it away. Slip the engagement ring from the trio ring set onto her finger when she says yes.

2. Take your girlfriend on a special picnic at the beach. Tie the engagement ring to the handle of her fork while packing the picnic, or hide the ring box in the picnic basket until the perfect moment to unpack it.

3. If you’ve got a bigger proposal budget, hire an advertising airplane to fly a banner over the beach that says “Will you marry me?” while you are splashing in the waves or soaking in the sun with your girlfriend.

4. Take a walk on the beach at sunrise or sunset with the engagement ring from the trio ring set in your pocket. Get down on one knee in the sand when the moment is right.

5. Get tickets for a short whale-watching trip or a dinner cruise if neither of you is prone to seasickness. When you are out on the water, find a private moment to pull your girlfriend aside and ask her to share your life.

6. Build a sand castle with your girlfriend. When she is not looking, put the ring box in her bucket, on her shovel, on top of the castle, or some other place where she will see it right away.

For more proposal inspiration, you may wish to read 5 Creative Proposal Ideas for Easter, Creative Proposal Traditions from Around the World, Creative Proposal Ideas from Books and Movies, or 10 Romantic Ways to Propose this Christmas.

In a previous blog post, we discussed the origins of the wedding ring and why it has been a significant part of wedding ceremonies for centuries now. However, there is also a great deal of significance to the shape, composition, and placement of the wedding ring, which also date back to centuries ago.

For one, the shape of the wedding ring is extremely significant and not to be taken for granted. The wedding ring and especially the wedding band signify a continuous level of commitment and faith in the relationship. Because a circle has no beginning and no end, it is seen as a fitting symbol for marriage, which in theory also has no end. The circle has been a symbol of eternity for many ancient cultures, including the Egyptians, who worshipped the shape in the form of the moon and the sun. The hole in the center of the ring is considered to be the symbol of a gateway leading to new things.

Many people place the wedding ring and wedding band on the third finger of their left hand, but don’t exactly know the reason behind this. The reason for this is that there was an ancient belief that the vein of the third finger traveled directly to the heart. The Romans adopted this legend, and called this the ‘vena amoris’, which is Latin for ‘the vein of love,’ and placed wedding rings on this finger to symbolize the romantic aspect of marriage. This concept that wedding rings lie within a direct path to our hearts is something that many couples find comfort in when they get married.

When the art of metallurgy came about, and rings were made as metal, they were often made of numerous different types of metal, including copper, brass and iron. However, iron tended to rust quickly, and was not a good choice. Other metals were experimented with, and eventually gold became the metal of choice for wedding rings. Part of the reason for this is that Irish folklore considered it bad luck to be married with a ring not made of gold, and a gold ring also showed that a groom trusted his bride with valuable property.

The wedding ring is the most prominent symbol of love, devotion and fidelity today, and the exchange of rings is highly regarded as one of the key pieces of any wedding ceremony. However, no matter what the origins of the ring or superstitions out there, it is important to get the ring that you want, and one that you will be proud to wear for the rest of your life.

While there is a rising trend today of wedding ring upgrades, it is important to make a careful and well thought out decision when choosing a his and her wedding ring set. There are many things to consider, so when shopping for an engagement ring on our website, feel free to email questions, or to engage with a customer service representative through live chat.

The wedding ring, whether or not as a trio ring wedding set, is a ubiquitous symbol of love, devotion, and faith. However, not many know how the concept of a wedding ring originated and why it is significant. The wedding ring has a long and mysterious history, and has evolved from humble beginnings. The concept of a wedding ring has been around for centuries, and is now a mainstay within most cultures and religions today. It is the most prominent symbol of the institution of marriage, but many don’t know the true meaning or beginnings of it and simply take the ritual for granted.

The wedding ring has roots in Ancient Egypt, where the custom was established of placing a ring on the finger of the bride, as a sign that the groom had confidence in the ability of the woman to take care of his house. These first wedding rings were made of reeds and plants growing on the banks of the river Nile, which were twisted and braided into shape.

In the Middle Ages, marriage was largely a financial arrangement, and the wedding ring served as a crude sort of deposit on the bride. Arrangements for weddings were made far in advance, so the groom presented the bride and her parents with a valuable wedding ring as a sign that he was committed to the marriage and would not back down. The family would safeguard the ring until the wedding, when the ring would be presented to the bride.

The ritual carried on but gained momentum in the 9th Century when Pope Nicolas I made a gold ring a wedding requirement as a way to show wealth to prove the groom’s ability to care for a wife. The first recorded diamond engagement ring dates back to 1477, and was given to Mary of Burgandy by Archduke Maximillian of Austria. At this time, diamonds were considered to have almost magical powers to help make the marriage more stable and pure.

While engagement rings have been around for centuries, the men’s wedding band is only a recent trend. The men’s wedding band gained momentum during World War II, when men who were faced with separation from their brides wore rings as reminders of their commitment to their loved ones. While the first wedding bands were simple gold rings, they today tend to be intricate and diamond studded to help signify the level of commitment the man has to his wife.

While the origins and the significance of the wedding ring has evolved drastically over time, the core message remains the same. A wedding ring is proof of a commitment, selflessness, and devotion. Each person and each couple has a different take on the ritual, and try to find ways to personalize their experience. For example, many customers at My Trio Rings request that their rings be engraved with a personalized message. This helps make couples feel more involved in the process, and shows an extra level of caring and commitment to their loved one.

No matter what your motivations and aspirations for your upcoming wedding, My Trio Rings has a wide selection of diamond and gold his and her wedding ring sets. To help ensure that your experience happens exactly the way you always pictured it, we are happy to customize your experience for you. This includes custom engraving, unique ring boxes, and the ability to mix and match wedding ring sets to come up with the combination that works best for you. Whatever your concerns, feel free to contact us to help you write your own wedding ring history.

It’s not a secret that there are many reasons to buy jewelry online. I’m sure you’ve heard, “Often you can save 50 percent or more buying online because e-commerce retailers have lower overhead costs than brick-and-mortar stores, and can pass the savings on to you.”

But what should you know when buying jewelry online? Anywhere you look they will tell you the same thing, and we agree with them! Here are the top 4 tips:

1. Know your stuff

Doing good research can help you make sure you get the ring that is best for your partner and the quality you expect! When it comes to buying diamonds online, you want to understand the 4 C’s - cut, color, carat, clarity. Our site has a guide to this here. Understanding the terms can be a critical "must" for such an important purchase. Make sure before you buy anything online you understand what you are buying.

2. Call the Company

There is a wealth of information available online, but you can also learn a lot by calling the company, emailing them, or talking to them on their live chat. This is especially true if they have good customer service! Click here to see where we stand on this. When you have an idea what you want, you should call. It is better to ask in advance and get exactly what you’re looking for, rather than order and have to return an item. This can save you time and shipping costs!

3. Reputation and Guarantee

Once you find an online store that has the jewelry you want, how can you tell if they are the real deal? See that they offer a guarantee, a good return policy, and that the site has secure ordering. Also see if you can find a section for testimonials or customer feedback, where you can learn what other real people think! And, calling the company to let them convince you of their reputation and guarantees is not only perfectly fair, but they should be happy to!

4. Comparison Shop for Price

Search various online retailers in order to get an idea of what a competitive price should be. If you know the details of what you want, shopping and price comparison sites such as Shopzilla.com, Nextag.com, or Bizrate.com can be really helpful. And look for a company's specials! This can be a great way to find a bargain.

Conclusion

No matter which type of engagement ring you end up buying, making sure you follow certain tasks and approach the purchase in an educated fashion can ensure you will be pleased.  In the end this is an investment that will grow in value just as your love continues to grow throughout your marriage.

When looking for a trio ring set, the first choice to make is between White Gold and Yellow Gold. Everyone knows about yellow gold, but not as many people are familiar with the concept of white gold, which has been gaining popularity and recognition in recent times. Gold, when naturally mined and extracted has the traditional metallic yellow color. This image of gold as yellow comes from classic depictions of gold as yellow in classic movies and images. When one thinks of mining for gold and gold nuggets, it is the classic yellow colored gold that comes to mind.

White gold is made of the same materials as yellow gold, but is mixed with different metals to give it the silver color. A 14 Carat white gold ring has exactly the same amount of pure gold as a yellow gold ring, at 58.3%. A piece of jewelry will never be pure gold because pure gold is too delicate and soft for manufacturing. That is why jewelry is combined with other metals to reinforce it and make it durable enough to be worn daily as jewelry. Yellow gold is combined with copper and zinc to give it the yellow color, while white gold, which is typically combined with palladium and silver to give it the silver color. Nickel used to be used in white gold in the past, but isn’t anymore because many people have allergic reactions to nickel on their skin.

White gold was originally developed to create a different look and feel to jewelry and wedding rings. It is a popular choice for wedding rings because it has the same look and feel as more expensive and luxurious metals such as platinum and titanium. This silvery gold also accentuates diamonds in a wedding ring and creates a striking effect in combination with well cut diamonds. White gold rings traditionally are also more durable and scratch resistant than their yellow counterparts because of the stronger metals that are used to make them.

However, yellow gold still remains very popular today because it provides a very classic and traditional feel to wedding rings. Yellow gold has a timeless property to it, in that it is always in style and is immediately associated with pure gold. Yellow gold also provides a greater contrast in terms of the white diamonds that are placed in it tend to shine better in certain lights. Many antique wedding rings are yellow gold, and are considered beautiful in all cultures and regions of the world.

Ultimately, yellow and gold rings of equal Carat weights have the same dollar value. The real differences between the two are based purely on personal taste and preference. As the age old saying goes, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder", and some prefer the classic and timeless beauty of a yellow wedding ring, while some prefer the modern yet bolder look of a white ring. Either color makes for an equally attractive ring that with the right mix of shapes and setting of diamonds make for an unforgettable symbol of love and devotion for a life-long partner.

Check out the diamond trio wedding ring selection at My Trio Rings for a large selection of both white gold and yellow gold wedding ring sets.

- Puneet Lakhi, www.MyTrioRings.com, New York, NY

Since no ring is complete without the right box, we are pleased to introduce a classy velvet ring box with every order at no additional cost to you! We know that there are just so many things to be thinking about when preparing for the big day, so we want to make sure that we can take care of all your wedding jewelry needs.  Hopefully the wedding ring box is just one less thing you have to worry about. At this point we are only offering the one type of black velvet ring box. Would you like us to carry other types? Let us know below!

Thanks for checking out our new MyTrioRings.com blog! In the last few weeks, we have reached out to many of you to get feedback on what you wish to see at MyTrioRings.  A special thank you goes out to everyone who let us know what you liked and what you didnt like.  We have listened to your feedback and have started to make the changes that youve asked for.

We found out that many of you would love to see a blog on MyTrioRings.  Check back every few days and you will see:

- Wedding tips and suggestions

- Wedding ring news and information

-  and lots more...

If theres something more you would like to see, just let us know!