Should I upgrade my engagement ring?
- Thread starter lalame
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Sooo I actually already got a 2nd wedding band this year
my first one didn’t fit 1/2 the year due to how my finger grows and shrinks with temperature (too small during hot days). I think I’m good on the wedding band front but you would think a new band would’ve scratched the itch anyway...
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It would be one of these 2 bracelets.
Would be my first Cartier item, but I got a VCA Sweet Alhambra pendant necklace last year so this bracelet could be a nice compliment to that. Picking one is my next step after deciding on ring vs bracelet. 
Sorry, but don’t you have a thread about not keeping up with the Joneses? I can’t vote for the lab grown diamond just to keep up with or outpace the Joneses. As you said, the VCA pieces will only go up in price and lab grown diamonds are declining in value. The fact that your husband thinks it‘s a waste to upgrade a pretty much new ring is spot on. You have a great ring, so why downgrade for a bigger stone if you will lose a lot of money and then spend more to get the other stuff in a few years at increased prices anyway? Financially, this is not very sensible.
You said it yourself — the big ring at Tiffany isn’t what you’re buying. You want your stone to look like that, but at a small fraction of the price. If you are sure you are in the best financial position in the group, what is it about that assessment that is important to you?
You said it yourself — the big ring at Tiffany isn’t what you’re buying. You want your stone to look like that, but at a small fraction of the price. If you are sure you are in the best financial position in the group, what is it about that assessment that is important to you?
Yes, that thread was a reminder to myself not to keep up with the Joneses.
As you can see, I need a reminder from time to time.
I agree your current set is really beautiful. Wow, you must be hanging out with some wealthy friends if they’ve got bigger rings than 1.25 carats! Plus the halo and eternity band makes it look very spectacular!
I do understand about wanting to upgrade, but feel it is something worth saving for a special anniversary, like your 10th. Then you’ll have gotten more years of “use” of your original set, and by then chances are the value of gold and natural diamonds will have increased, and cost of lab-created might have further declined so you could even get something bigger, or three stone. Btw, I’m all for lab!
And you mentioned your DH isn’t really enthused with the idea... I know many hubbies can be touchy about the subject that what they proposed with isn’t loved as much anymore. My DH only agreed to change mine after I physically couldn’t wear the set anymore and it couldn’t be resized.
Get a bracelet now and plan for a wedding set upgrade in another few years is my two cents!
I do understand about wanting to upgrade, but feel it is something worth saving for a special anniversary, like your 10th. Then you’ll have gotten more years of “use” of your original set, and by then chances are the value of gold and natural diamonds will have increased, and cost of lab-created might have further declined so you could even get something bigger, or three stone. Btw, I’m all for lab!
And you mentioned your DH isn’t really enthused with the idea... I know many hubbies can be touchy about the subject that what they proposed with isn’t loved as much anymore. My DH only agreed to change mine after I physically couldn’t wear the set anymore and it couldn’t be resized.
Get a bracelet now and plan for a wedding set upgrade in another few years is my two cents!
However, I say do what makes you happy.
Personally I wouldn‘t want my newlywed husband to think he gave me a ring that didn’t measure up to other people’s standards. I know that’s not your intention but he might feel it comes down to that. Your set is beautiful and you must have been thrilled when you became engaged. You will always have friends with bigger diamonds because as time goes on, they’ll be upgrading, too. If it’s time for a new bauble I would go with something else on your wishlist for now especially if you plan to go the lab-grown route. There is nothing at all wrong with lab-grown and as you’ve already discovered you can get much for your money. But because the lab-grown market is still shaking out and becoming more mainstream, I would give it some more time as prices could decline further and more high-end designers could get into the game offering you more options. Lab-grown could also eventually cause mined diamond prices to decline. I wouldn’t want to be purchasing a major diamond right now either way. Good luck!
I agree with your husband (and I am in the same boat, if you wanna call it a dilemma 
). My friends all have bigger stones than me. We can afford an upgrade but I’d rather keep my original e-ring and grow my collection of “so many things I drool over” until there’s a big milestone... or we strike it so big that I wouldn’t blink at upgrading my ring. Whichever comes first.
). My friends all have bigger stones than me. We can afford an upgrade but I’d rather keep my original e-ring and grow my collection of “so many things I drool over” until there’s a big milestone... or we strike it so big that I wouldn’t blink at upgrading my ring. Whichever comes first.
I don't understand. Just get both? A natural 2ct diamond would cost more than the price of lab diamond + a bracelet. What I understand is that you could easily afford a natural 2ct but are getting a lab to save money, in which case that bracelet is calling your name (and I'd get the Love, of the two). 
I also wouldn't sell your current set. I know you're not sentimental, but what if you have kids, or just need a different look from time to time? A 2ct solitaire will be higher set and more likely to spin from the top heaviness, or bang into things and generally be a nuisance on days you're really working your fingers (ie typing a lot). Selling that beauty at a loss is just too sad.
Also your new band matches nicely with your current ring, but might look a tad small next to a 2ct.
I also wouldn't sell your current set. I know you're not sentimental, but what if you have kids, or just need a different look from time to time? A 2ct solitaire will be higher set and more likely to spin from the top heaviness, or bang into things and generally be a nuisance on days you're really working your fingers (ie typing a lot). Selling that beauty at a loss is just too sad.
Also your new band matches nicely with your current ring, but might look a tad small next to a 2ct.
This is what I was thinking too. If anything, the trends I see with my friends is smaller (vintage) diamonds or even stepping away from diamonds completely for different stones.