Your engagement ring is probably one of your most prized possessions and you’ve kept it close to your heart for years. Yet, you wish you could give it a little something new. There’s nothing wrong with thinking about changing your engagement ring. In fact, it’s becoming increasingly normal with so many new styles flooding the market. Your style can change immensely over time, which is why your taste in jewelry does as well. Instead of wishing you could change something about your ring, act on it. An engagement ring upgrade doesn’t need to be a huge investment. A little tweak here or a new stone there can take your ordinary ring and transform it into a totally new style.
If you have your heart set on upgrading your ring—whether it’s a diamond or simulated diamond engagement ring—learn about some of the most common upgrades for engagement rings. From setting adjustments to new metalwork, your imagination is the limit. If you’re planning an upgrade soon, take these tips into consideration to ensure your new ring turns out exactly as you envisioned.
10 Ways to Upgrade Your Engagement Ring
Whether you’re looking for a simple update or a complete redesign, there are endless options for upgrading your engagement ring. If you’re thinking about changing everything—or just one detail—we have all of the top ideas to get you started with the process. If you see something you’re interested in, let us know and we can make it happen. Here are the top ten ways to upgrade your engagement ring:
1. Change Your Center Stone
The simplest option—although sometimes one of the most expensive—is to upgrade your center stone. Is your classic Round Brilliant somewhat too traditional now? Or have you had your eye on something a little more colorful like a sapphire? Now’s your chance to get something you’ve always wanted. This is a great option if you’ve been saving for something a little more expensive. Say you purchased a simulated diamond ring—like the Nexus Diamond™ alternative—but you’re ready to make the switch to a man made diamond. With our sister company 12FIFTEEN Diamonds, anything is possible.
2. Update Your Setting Style
On the other hand, if you’re not sold on the idea of altering your center stone, try adjusting your setting. This can be a little tricky at times—say if you have a halo setting now—but you can usually swap out your setting and keep your stones. A simple solitaire can be transformed into an accented sparkler and classic rounded prongs can be turned into fierce double claw prongs. Whatever you’re imagining, it can most likely be done.
3. Add a Pop of Color
If you’re already open to changing out a stone or two, consider replacing colorless stones with more colorful tones like sapphire, ruby or emerald. This is a great choice for three stone engagement rings or designs with accents. Choose birthstone colors to represent your children, significant other or someone else dear to your heart. Not only will colored stones totally revamp the look of your ring, but it can add a very personal meaning, too.
Do you have a few accents on either side of your center stone, but have always wanted a little more sparkle? Adding accents to the entirety of your shank can completely change the style. Simple transforms into glam and it will surely be the center of attention. You can also incorporate peek-a-boo accents into the profile view, creating a little something extra for the wearer.
5. Change Your Metal Type
Did you choose a basic metal type that you’re just tired of? Or, is your rose or yellow gold hard to match with your wardrobe? Then you may consider completely changing the metal color. This will probably mean needing to start from scratch with your setting, so take advantage of any other changes you would like. Yellow gold is the new modern metal type, but others—such as platinum—are safer for those with metal sensitivities or allergies.
Whether you went classic with a Round Brilliant or Princess, or modern with an asymmetrical or elongated shape, sometimes you just need a change. You can swap out your center stone shape with one that better suits you in this stage of life. Some companies offer a trade-up policy, where you can trade in your old stone for an updated one—while this is rare, you can take advantage of this feature at Diamond Nexus.
7. Repurpose Your Stones
If you’d like your setting updated, then think about repurposing your current stones while adding new ones. Shifting from a solitaire to a three stone design can seem like a large transformation, but reusing your current center stone and opting for new side stones will keep the cost down. This is especially true if you choose affordable diamond simulants to upgrade your design.
8. Change or Add a Wedding Band
If you’re unsure if upgrading your engagement ring is the right decision but you still would like to change something, consider changing or adding a wedding band. Add a few more accents to your existing shank or add new styles to give your wedding set a new look. Since stackable wedding bands are extremely popular, you’ll have a wide variety to choose from. Choose an accented style for enhanced dazzle or choose some with and some without to give a unique look. This is a much easier—and typically more affordable—route when upgrading your wedding ring set.
Many women have someone dear to them that carries a family heirloom with them—whether that be an engagement ring or another type of jewelry. If they’re looking to repurpose it, then this is a perfect time to incorporate it into your design to keep the tradition going. Sapphires, rubies, emeralds, diamonds and simulated diamonds are of the most common heirloom-quality stone types that are most popularly used in this type of upgrade.
10. Start from Scratch
If none of these types of upgrading catch your eye, then you might want to consider starting from scratch. While this may be scary as your ring is such a cherished adornment, it doesn’t mean you have to get rid of your current ring. If repurposing your stones into your new design isn’t something you want to do, you can either wear your current ring on your right hand for a cocktail ring or hand it down to someone in your family. This will keep the tradition alive without having to stick with your same-old engagement ring design.
Engagement Ring Upgrade: How to Get Started
While there really are endless options for upgrading your ring design, there are some top tips to tweaking without spending an outrageous amount of money or opting for engagement ring financing. A slight stone change or additional metalwork can completely alter the appearance of your ring without requiring a total redesign. Although, many women decide to opt for a completely new design when they want a fresh new look. Either way, there is nothing wrong with feeling like you need a little change.
So, if you’re sure that you’re going to be upgrading your engagement ring—whether you decide to go simple or intricate—there are some decisions you should make beforehand. From deciding on your budget to choosing the right jeweler, you want to be sure you’re making all of the appropriate decisions. Here are some decisions you may want to make to get you started on your upgrade:
Decide on your budget. Knowing the type of upgrade you want will allow you to estimate what it might cost. You may want to do a little research into which jewelers offer the best pricing or ways you can keep the overall cost down.
Talk with a jewelry expert. Now that you know what upgrade you want and the price you’re willing to pay for it, you can get into the specifics with your jewelry. Depending on your current ring style, some things may need to be compromised to ensure the safety of your ring components. Talking with a jeweler will give you more insight if such things arise.
Should You Upgrade Your Ring?
Whether or not you should upgrade your engagement ring is completely up to you and your significant other. It’s essential to ensure that you are both comfortable with the decision and can afford or budget for an engagement ring upgrade. Since there are so many different options when it comes to upgrading, the price point will differ immensely. Asking for a quote from the jeweler you’re purchasing from can help alleviate any financial concerns you have about this project. In the end, if you feel it’s important, then upgrading might be the right option.
Since your engagement ring is such a cherished part of your everyday life, it can be hard to part with it—even if it’s just a small change. You should know that it’s a completely normal and even popular avenue to embark on and you should feel proud of your decision. Your style changes throughout all stages of your life and it would be silly to assume the same wouldn’t be true for your engagement ring style. There are many different reasons someone might want to upgrade their design, so whether or not it’s the right decision for you will depend on your specific situation.
*Here at Diamond Nexus, we strive to provide valuable information while being clear and honest about our products. The Nexus Diamond™ alternative is a patented lab created diamond simulate that, among all simulants, most closely imitates the look, weight and wear of a diamond, with two exceptions – it is absolutely perfect in every way, and it costs significantly less. Price points and environmental facts expressed in this blog were taken from popular online retailers and may vary. Learn more about the environmental impact of mining by visiting our blog.