Celebrating a new milestone or simply wanting a new look? Upgrading your engagement or wedding ring is always an exciting experience. Not only does it reflect the growth and story of your relationship, but it also gives you the chance to express your personal style and taste.
In this blog post, we will discuss the top 5 engagement and wedding ring upgrades that are worth the investment and hold significant sentimental value.
What is an Engagement Ring Upgrade?
A ring upgrade is the process of modifying or enhancing your current ring to meet your preferences or to mark a special event in your life.
With an engagement ring or wedding ring upgrade, you can change the ring’s appearance by changing its design, changing the type or quality of the diamond, adding more diamonds or even changing the base metal. It’s a great way to keep your ring fresh and exciting over time. This is different from the process of simply making your gold look shiny and new through polishing or cleaning.
Why Do People Upgrade Rings?
There are many reasons for engagement ring upgrades or wedding ring upgrades. The answers vary from person to person. Here are some of the most common reasons why people upgrade their rings?
To celebrate a milestone: Whether it’s a special anniversary or reaching a significant point in your relationship like giving birth to a child, upgrading your engagement or wedding ring can be a way to celebrate and mark the occasion. There is no perfect answer as to when is the right time to upgrade your engagement ring or wedding ring. It could be 5 years, 10 years, or even 20 years after marriage.
Personal style change: As tastes and preferences can change over time, one’s style may also change. Upgrading your engagement or wedding ring allows you to alter its design so you can showcase your current style and preferences.
Financial situation improves: As the couple’s financial situation becomes more stable or their lifestyle changes, they may choose to upgrade their engagement or wedding rings to a more luxurious or stylish option. Some may upgrade the diamond or the gold itself. When a man or a couple first buys a ring, they may have been limited by budget constraints. However, as their financial stability improves, a better quality diamond or a bigger diamond for upgrading your engagement or wedding ring becomes a possibility.
Receiving a family heirloom: Some people may inherit rings from family members or be given the opportunity to upgrade a family heirloom ring. With an heirloom engagement or wedding ring upgrade, you will be able to preserve the sentimental value of the ring while giving it a modern and updated look.
To symbolize growth and resilience: Many couples decide to upgrade their engagement and wedding rings to symbolize their growth together. The upgraded rings remind them of their shared experiences and the love that has grown and evolved over time. The upgrade is symbolic of how they are also reinforcing the commitment they have to one another and their relationship. Some couples also choose to upgrade their engagement or wedding rings after overcoming a challenging period in their relationship, to celebrate their success and move forward together.
When Do People Upgrade Their Rings?
There’s no specific answer for when people decide to have an engagement ring upgrade or wedding ring upgrade. However, it usually coincides with special or pivotal moments in the couple’s life.
The ring upgrade typically happens during anniversaries, birthdays, or when there are significant milestones. For example, couples who celebrate their 25th year of being together may choose to add more diamonds to their wedding bands.
A period of significant financial improvements or lifestyle changes may also be a good time for an engagement ring upgrade or wedding ring upgrade. If semi-precious gemstones were used for a woman’s engagement ring, the couple may choose to replace them with diamonds.
Five Popular Engagement Ring or Wedding Ring Upgrades
1. Upgrade the ring’s center stone.
The most popular way to instantly upgrade your engagement ring is to upgrade the center stone. You can have a larger diamond or a combination of smaller diamonds altogether. Changing the center stone alone can dramatically change the ring’s appearance.
At Jensen Jewelers, you can select from a wide variety of high-quality natural and lab-grown diamonds. Our friendly staff can give you expert advice on the best type of diamonds you can choose for your budget and preference.
2. Add an additional band/ring stack.
Stacking or layering rings is another way to give your wedding or engagement ring a quick upgrade. Adding bands has gained popularity in recent years as it gives a more modern look to any engagement or wedding ring. You can stack multiple bands or mix different metals and designs for a personalized appeal.
Sometimes, changing the band style can also upgrade your ring. The width as well as the band finish may also be changed. The band styles can be straight, split, pavé, twisted, tapered, or customized in other unique ways according to your taste. As for the band finish, it can be polished, matte or a combination of both.
3. Upgrade to a new ring completely.
Sometimes, people want a fresh start when upgrading their engagement ring, so they go for a completely new piece of jewelry. This way, they can check out current trends, more durable metals, or styles that match their taste better. Of course, it’s important to keep budget in mind and ensure the new ring still suits the wearer’s style.
When it comes to the old ring, some choose to repurpose it into another accessory, keep it as a family heirloom, or trade it in to help pay for the new one. Remember, upgrading doesn’t lessen the sentimental value of the original ring; it symbolizes how a couple’s love and commitment have grown over time.
4. Change the metal.
The karat, color, and type of metal used for your ring may also be changed to upgrade your engagement or wedding. The karat or the purity of gold can be increased for a higher quality and more valuable ring.
For example, a 14k gold band may be upgraded to an 18k gold band. The higher the karat, the more valuable and also softer the metal is. You can also change your ring’s color and go for yellow gold, rose gold, white gold or two-tone.
5. Add side stones.
If you want to add spark or color to your rings, adding more diamonds as side stones is another great way to upgrade your engagement or wedding rings. This can instantly add brilliance to your rings or make them look more visually appealing.
For example, if you have a solitaire engagement ring, you can turn it into a trilogy ring by adding two side stones of the same or different colors. Another way is to add diamonds to the band itself. This is called pavé setting, where the band features smaller diamonds along the band of the ring to create a continuous sparkle.
Ready to upgrade your engagement or wedding ring?
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your center stone, add an additional ring or completely transform your current ring, Jensen Jewelers will work with you to bring your new vision for your engagement or wedding ring to life.
An upgrade is a special way to celebrate milestones and renew your commitment for one another. Our expert staff can guide you in choosing the perfect diamonds and design for your upgraded engagement or wedding rings, ensuring that it reflects your style and personal story that the rings represent.
Visit us today to get your engagement ring upgrade or wedding ring upgrade.