The answer to this question is simple: whenever you want! Many people upgrade their wedding ring in order to honor a special moment in time like a milestone or special wedding anniversary. Others choose to upgrade in order to have a ring that’s more in-line with their current style (what you loved several years ago might be different than what you love today!). Let’s explore when and how to upgrade your wedding ring by considering all of the important factors that should be considered when making changes to such a special piece of jewelry!
Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Wedding Ring
Upgrading your wedding ring is a personal decision and should not be rushed. The truth is: there is no “right” time. The “correct” time to upgrade is whenever it feels right for you. Whether it's a bigger center stone, a fresh design or a higher quality diamond or metal setting, an upgrade can happen!
Anniversary or Special Milestone
An anniversary or another special milestone in a couple’s relationship often feels like a natural time to upgrade or make changes to a ring. Maybe the upgraded diamond ring includes a larger stone, more stones (while incorporating the original stone) or a different metal color? There are so many ways to deviate completely from the original ring’s look and ways to pay tribute to the original design while adding size or setting changes. Sometimes the upgrade is a drastic change or a subtle change – the choice is always yours!
How to Choose the Right Upgrade for Your Wedding Ring
Upgrading your engagement ring is a significant and personal decision! It’s important to consider what aspects of the ring you’d like to enhance. Are you thinking about a larger stone size, or perhaps a new diamond shape that better reflects your current style? We always encourage anyone considering an upgrade to explore all of their options before making a final choice. And don’t forget to try on various rings settings and stones before making a final decision!
Popular Options for Wedding Ring Upgrades
There are so many things to consider when upgrading your ring! We suggest thinking about the following when it comes to options.
-Do you want a larger diamond or an upgrade in carat size?
-Would you prefer a different diamond shape?
-Would you like to add side stones or a pave band?
-Are you happy with the size of your current stone but find yourself wanting a higher quality diamond?
- Do you want a diamond with higher clarity, color, or brilliance?
-Maybe your taste in metal color has changed?
-Do you want to keep your original ring and simply custom design a new band to stack or pair with it?
While many people upgrade to a larger or higher-quality diamond, the upgrade can also be more simple like changing the ring’s setting to something less traditional, adding side stones or just switching metal colors.
Budgeting for Your Wedding Ring Upgrade
Budgeting for an upgrade is all about finding a balance between your financial goals and what feels meaningful to you. Remember: a larger diamond doesn’t mean that the diamond will be higher quality so it’s important to distinguish if you’re looking for a stone that’s simply larger or if you’re upgrading the quality as these things don’t always go hand in hand! The following are a few reminders:
-Diamond size refers to the carat weight of a diamond, which is one of the key characteristics in determining its value. The ‘carat’ is a unit of weight, not size, so two diamonds of the same carat weight can look different in terms of size depending on how they are cut.
-The shape of a diamond refers to its outline or silhouette and directly influences its appearance.
-When you’re selecting a diamond it’s all about finding the right balance of size, cut and shape that reflects your taste and fits within your budget!
By carefully researching, prioritizing, and planning, you can create a beautiful upgrade that fits your budget.
When to Upgrade vs. Re-set Your Existing Ring
Resetting your diamond is a fantastic way to refresh your ring! Consider resetting your current ring if your priorities are more along the lines of:
-Wanting to change your ring’s metal color.
-Wanting to add side stones.
-Wanting a new setting – i.e. halo, texture, bezel, pavè, etc..
We recommend a full ring upgrade if you’re looking for a more drastic change along the lines of:
-Wanting a larger diamond.
-Wanting a completely different diamond shape.
-Wanting a higher quality diamond.
The idea of changing up a piece of jewelry that’s so special is and should be an exciting process! If it feels at all stressful, put the thought on pause and rock what you’ve already got! Otherwise, dive in and enjoy the creative process. Your jewelry tells a story – there is no right or wrong way to upgrade a ring – it’s very important to honor your intentions by staying true to yourself. We love discussing upgrade options on large and small scales so please come see us in person or virtually - it’ll be fun!
