Is upgrading your e-ring common?

[Eugin]

I've seen a lot of gorgeous upgraded rings here, and I'm wondering is this a common thing? I'm still in my 20's so my friends are more in the stage of getting an initial e-ring rather than a upgrade so its something I've only really heard about on forums. Was upgrading part of the plan from the beginning or an idea that developed later? Also, for those that do what do you do with your previous ring?

[glistenpearls]

I wasnt aware of any e-ring upgrade until I read threads about it, especially in pricescope. The idea seems ok to me, providing the finance permits at that time. I imagine say in 10 or 20 yrs time, we have more commitments (house, cost of raising children, school fees etc). So if we are comfortable with the money bit..haha I wont say NO! I say..bring it on

If I get the new one, I will keep the original and probably give to my daughter or something.

[pooh_girl]

i think upgrading is a great way to get the ring that you want eventually. i also think that it is pretty common for people to upgrade their rings now a days too. unless you are sentimental about things, i don't see a problem with upgrading.
my original ering, which i still have, is about 2.5 ct, so i am pretty happy with that, but someday i might plan on upgrading it.

[rosieroseanna]

My fiance and I got engaged whilst we were at Uni and I was 19 and he was 21. He bought me a ring that was 0.25 from F.Hinds which is a very cheap jewellers in England, at the time I was thrilled with it. After Uni he got a started working in banking so was in a different financial position to when he was at Uni so he bought me a heart shaped ring from Tiffany. I know loads of people who have upgraded their rings, I think it depends on your situation at the time.

[claudette2]

I'm not engaged yet, but my mother has gotten new (and larger) diamond rings throughout her 30 year marriage to my father. It was never spoken about as a replacement or "upgrade" to the first ring, merely an additional diamong ring for her collection. She wears her original wedding set on her left hand and one on her right hand, which she changes around, depending on her mood I guess.

[MPJ]

I think "upgrading" isn't the norm, but many people are doing it nowadays. Personally, I would never upgrade. My e-ring is symbolic of our engagement and it's gorgeous and exactly what I wanted. It's too meaningful for me to "upgrade" for a bigger stone. Also, I wouldn't want anything larger. I know it would really hurt my husband's feelings if I were to ask for something different, as he put so much time, effort, and money into making me the perfect ring, and I already love it so much. The one thing I'm considering is getting another band to accompany the one I already have. I love my wedding band, but I think the ring would look even more beautiful sandwiched between two bands. So instead of an "upgrade," I think he'll buy me another band in the future.

It's all personal choice...for many, their e-ring holds a significance apart from their marriage. For me, it's intrinsically tied-into our marriage, because we spent so much time picking it out.

Instead of upgrades, we've discussed diamond stud earrings, or a diamond necklace. But I will never give up my e-ring.

[Lola24]

I don't really agree with or understand the "upgrading" of an engagement ring....Why would I want to replace my original engagement ring, the one that I was married with, the one that holds the sentiment and closure of the engagement to marriage process??? That ring in my opinion should always stay with the marriage. If in years to come one wants a larger diamond or different ring I don't see anything wrong with an additional ring worn on a different finger but to call it your engagement ring just doesn't seem right and seems almost cold and superficial rather than the symbol which it was originally intended as. I don't mean to offend anyone, this is just my honest opinion.

[KristyDarling]

I kept my original e-ring, but DH gave me a new 3-stone ring 4 years into our marriage. I'm very, very lucky and I have a sweet and understanding DH. I told him I wanted a larger stone with sidestones, and after months of persuasion and the usage of other feminine wiles, he agreed. :) I'm very fortunate to have the best of both worlds: I still wear my original e-ring on my left hand, but these days I've been craving a little more bling so I often wear my 3-stone on my left hand instead.

[winternight]

I don't really understand upgrading either, but I've sentimental and I love my ring. I also like the idea of having something from when we started out as a couple together. Personally I'd just go for the diamond studs or a large tennis bracelet in a couple of years.

[Lola24]

Originally Posted by KristyDarling

I kept my original e-ring, but DH gave me a new 3-stone ring 4 years into our marriage. I'm very, very lucky and I have a sweet and understanding DH. I told him I wanted a larger stone with sidestones, and after months of persuasion and the usage of other feminine wiles, he agreed. :) I'm very fortunate to have the best of both worlds: I still wear my original e-ring on my left hand, but these days I've been craving a little more bling so I often wear my 3-stone on my left hand instead.

I respect this while keeping your original ring, three stone rings are very beautiful and I feel like they are more of an anniversary or celebration type ring...... I just don't get the trading in, selling, or completely altering the original ring. Plus, it's one thing if you really want a larger ring to wear but in my case I have small fingers so a larger ring really isn't a desire to me....I think sometimes women feel they HAVE to upgrade because they can afford it now and it's a reflection of who they are and what they can have...I've known very wealthy people in life who still wear their original engagement ring and I can't help but respect that so much more than people walking around with these so called upgraded engagement rings.....I love nice things but messing with you're engagement ring again just seems cold and materialistic, maybe I'm too sentimental but isn't that what marriage is about??

[fire_eyed_freak]

I think it's great! I think upgrading is fairly common, especially for anniversaries, birthdays, etc. I think many view the upgrade as a gift of love.

[FleurDeLis]

I have upgraded my ring 3 times. The first time I did not so much upgrade more like change the setting. It had to be done because my original setting was white gold and i could not wear that metal without causing a skin reaction so we had to get a platinum setting. I kept my original setting and put in a semi percious stone and can wear it occasionally but not for everyday use due to the metal issue. The next time my husband wanted to upgrade the stone . . . the sentimental value was gone since I already did not have the original setting as my engagement ring anymore. My wedding bands have stayed the same just the engagment ring has changed. I would say that about 40% of my friends have upgraded. some keep the original rings along with the new one and others use the original as part of a trade. I do not think that it has any indication about whether or not you have a good marriage. It is up to the couple. I feel that if both parties are ok with an upgrade then that is great, but on the same token if husband OR wife is not comfortable with the change for sentimental or other reasons then don't do it

[lorihmatthews]

I've only been married just under 3 years, so upgrading isn't really on my radar at this time. My mom has had her setting changed twice, and a few years back she had stones added on the side of her original engagement stone. It looks great!

[deweydrop]

Originally Posted by Lola24

I don't really agree with or understand the "upgrading" of an engagement ring....Why would I want to replace my original engagement ring, the one that I was married with, the one that holds the sentiment and closure of the engagement to marriage process??? That ring in my opinion should always stay with the marriage. If in years to come one wants a larger diamond or different ring I don't see anything wrong with an additional ring worn on a different finger but to call it your engagement ring just doesn't seem right and seems almost cold and superficial rather than the symbol which it was originally intended as. I don't mean to offend anyone, this is just my honest opinion.

I agree 100% with Lola.

but everyone is different and has their own views...there are no right or wrong answers here.

[Lola24]

Originally Posted by deweydrop

I agree 100% with Lola. but everyone is different and has their own views...there are no right or wrong answers here.

Yep, and everyone is totally entitled to their opinion, there is no right or wrong answer, it's what feels right to you. I would never give up my ring regardless, and if one day my husband wants to give me another diamond solitare type ring I would never consider it my engagement ring.