How do you guys feel about upgrading your engagement ring?

[hyhbb]

Hi all, I'm new here.

I have a 1.30 CT I color VVS2 in the tiffany setting. My husband and I didn't have much when we first got married but he knew it's my dream to have a Tiffany setting as my engagement ring so he saved up for a long time to get me this ring and said that if I wanted a bigger stone down the road we can upgrade.

Now that we both have established careers and we are in a good place financially, he casually mentioned if I still wanted to go take a look at larger stones (I can't believe he didn't forget!!). Personally, I didn't even think much about upgrading much because I love my ring so much. Its a sentimental piece as this is what he picked out and proposed with. Also it reminds me of how far we've come as a couple.

I'm just wondering for those who upgraded their engagement ring with tiffany - how did you feel about returning the ring to them? Do you miss your old engagement ring at all?

Thank you.

 

[lill_canele]

Generally speaking, at this point in time, I'm probably too attached and like you I don't really think about upgrading my e-ring or making any changes. Mine is 1.51, not a Tiffany though. He initially wanted to get me a 2.0 but I didn't want him to spend a lot of money. Also, there's funny story tied to my e-ring so it is sentimental.

However, my husband has always been very open about updating my e-ring and saying I could use the old diamond for something else. (I was like what? He said: I don't know, maybe one giant earring? )

So I can't say on the experience of upgrading an engagement ring, but I am on the side (at least for now) who chose not to upgrade mine. No regrets (and offer is still on the table for an upgrade in the future anyway ) Maybe one day I'll get bored or feel like upgrading mine but at the moment I'm happy with it.

On a side note, I did get a new band for my e-ring last year. It had become dangerously loose and needed to be resized anyway, so my husband just had the jeweler replace the old one. I do love the shine of having a new band haha.

 

[Beauty2c]

If I were you i wold save the ring for your children and get a new one to celebrate a milestone wedding anniversary (e.g. 10th). By then you are well established to get a large stone with a fancy setting. Two rings instead of one.

 

[QuelleFromage]

I would keep the ring if you love it. I did an upgrade (it's in the e-ring thread) and didn't feel the same way emotionally about the new ring - it actually went back. We are making a new ring instead that incorporates the old ring, but that's only because my old ring didn't have a center stone. You have what sounds like a lovely center stone.

 

[Mairaculi]

I personally find the upgrade of an engagement ring a bit strange to be honest. For other pieces of jewelry I get it, but I couldn't let go of the ring. For sure let him buy you the beautiful new and shiny ring of your dreams as an anniversary gift, but I'd still hold on to the original engagement ring, especially since you love it and it's a sentimental piece. There might also come a time or place when you prefer a more understated ring again.

 

[poleneinblack]

Bigger isn't always better imo. My fingers are small so a larger stone would look silly. Plus, a larger stone means more weight and strain on the metal, and you don't want to risk losing the stone because the metal is too thin or anything like that. I have friends and family who bought new jewelry as anniversary pieces, instead of upgrading the engagement ring stone.

 

[hyhbb]

Thanks everyone. The reason my husband suggested it is because he knows that a 2ct+ Tiffany setting is my dream. He couldn't afford to buy a diamond from Tiffany of that size back then, and I agree a 1.30 CT is not small, but that's why he mentioned "we can always upgrade down the road".

I would love a larger stone to be honest, and potentially upgrade the specs (ie go from I color to G) if I could pick. But I don't think I can justify keeping the original engagement ring AND getting a 2 CT Tiffany diamond because at least by upgrading we can offset a portion of the cost. It's a bit tough because I could obviously get a non branded ring made if I wanted a larger stone, but I love the Tiffany setting so much, I almost feel like I can't imagine myself wearing anything else on my finger. Silly I know, but I still catch myself staring at my ring and admiring the side profile of the setting, even after being married for so long. It's just so beautifully made.

I guess my only concern is whether I would "miss" my old ring or regret after giving it back to them and swapping it with the new ring.

 

[A bottle of Red]

Does it need to be Tiffany or would you be open to going elsewhere (cheaper but same style ring)?

 

[viewwing]

Thanks everyone. The reason my husband suggested it is because he knows that a 2ct+ Tiffany setting is my dream. He couldn't afford to buy a diamond from Tiffany of that size back then, and I agree a 1.30 CT is not small, but that's why he mentioned "we can always upgrade down the road".

I would love a larger stone to be honest, and potentially upgrade the specs (ie go from I color to G) if I could pick. But I don't think I can justify keeping the original engagement ring AND getting a 2 CT Tiffany diamond because at least by upgrading we can offset a portion of the cost. It's a bit tough because I could obviously get a non branded ring made if I wanted a larger stone, but I love the Tiffany setting so much, I almost feel like I can't imagine myself wearing anything else on my finger. Silly I know, but I still catch myself staring at my ring and admiring the side profile of the setting, even after being married for so long. It's just so beautifully made.

I guess my only concern is whether I would "miss" my old ring or regret after giving it back to them and swapping it with the new ring.

From your post, it sounds like you’re gonna miss having your old ring. Hmm.. but just think for a moment, if you acquired a new 2ct ring, Will you still be missing your old one? Imagine with me that you’re now looking down at the new ring that’s bigger, shinier and brand new to commemorate how far you guys have come since you got married, do you think you will still miss the old ring? I’m sure, once you answer this question, you’ll know what to do.

 

[Tempo]

I felt the same way, although I didn't have any particularly sentimental feelings for my old e-ring, I was just used to it and didn't question it even though all my friends wear bigger ones. So when my husband surprised me with an upgrade, I thought at first that I wouldn't be able to wear it all the time anyway because of its size. So I just kept my old e-ring to wear when more restraint is called for. Long story short: You get used to the new ring so quickly that I now wear it almost always. And if it's really a bit too flashy I just leave my wedding band ring off or wear another ring at all. The old e ring sits at home in the safe. What a waste!

 

[A bottle of Red]

I’m not sure how much Tiffany will give you back for the original ring, but I know from my non Tiffany ring, I would have gotten a minimal amount by selling it. I also do feel sentimental about it, so I kept it .

 

[nicole0612]

I have done several things:

1) Kept the center stone and upgraded the setting (twice - and kept the old settings). Tiffany will reset the center diamond in a more different setting if you like, and this can make it look larger or just give a new look.
2) Change the bands I wear with the ER, statement bands, edgy branded bands, antique bands, fancy color diamond bands.
3) Purchased larger and more statement rings and wore them as RHRs, or alternately sometimes wear my ER on my right hand and a larger diamond on the left hand.

I would keep the original in some way.

 

[TitaniaWilliams]

I don't have an engagement ring and probably never will, but if I had one, just like all the other old things that remind me of a certain time of my life, I wouldn't change it for the world.
I know that this is probably a question that comes from a different cultural background and from a totally different perspective, but why should someone change something that's so important and unique?

 

[sparklebunny]

Maybe you should stop wearing your original e-ring for a week or two to see if you miss it or not. Not having it around could be the best way to tell.

 

[sparklebunny]

I have done several things:

1) Kept the center stone and upgraded the setting (twice - and kept the old settings). Tiffany will reset the center diamond in a more different setting if you like, and this can make it look larger or just give a new look.
2) Change the bands I wear with the ER, statement bands, edgy branded bands, antique bands, fancy color diamond bands.
3) Purchased larger and more statement rings and wore them as RHRs, or alternately sometimes wear my ER on my right hand and a larger diamond on the left hand.

I would keep the original in some way.

#1 is a great idea! You could consider doing a three-stone ring—keep the original stone in the center but have it be flanked by other diamonds on the side.

Three-diamond rings can be very striking from what I’ve seen.