That is true. I was actually looking forward to wearing my wedding ring for the rest of my life, until Zales LOST IT when I sent it in for polishing. Although they offered a replacement (same model / reference number) the replacement ring looks very different to me (diamonds further apart, inclusions, channel has a square quality to it instead of nicely rounded) and I really want my original ring back.
Updating engagement/wedding rings - why?
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I reset my original diamond from my original engagement ring (which was just a very plain solitaire) after I lost my original band. I had always fantasized about plopping my diamond into the center of my band. So I designed a band to honor my original lost band and bezel set my original diamond right in the middle 
I love it. Our anniversary is on the 18th so I had 18 pave diamonds put on the band.
Then, wouldn't you know it, I found the original band a year later. It had fallen behind our loose kitchen backsplash. Sigh. Now I love all of my wedding rings 
I'm super sentimental. I don't think I'd ever upgrade my diamond. But, to each his own.
I love it. Our anniversary is on the 18th so I had 18 pave diamonds put on the band. Then, wouldn't you know it, I found the original band a year later. It had fallen behind our loose kitchen backsplash. Sigh. Now I love all of my wedding rings
I'm super sentimental. I don't think I'd ever upgrade my diamond. But, to each his own.
why? because you can. No one needs to explain why they want to update or upgrade. Why judge? Seems kind of petty or even jealous if you ask me.
Some people aren't that sentimental, and that's okay. As we get older, we gravitate to something different, maybe. And the delicate pieces of our youth don't make as much of a statement.
I agree with you. When my hubby upgraded my ring, my friend's wife, was and is still jealous of my ring. It's been years and she still can't get over it. I personally am happy to see others upgrade to bigger and nicer rings.
I upgraded at our 10th anniversary. I love my engagement ring setting (we chose it together!) but I was open to upgrading the stone (diamond shrinkage and all). That's what we ended up doing - same setting, bigger stone - and I am happy that we did!
Before the upgrade, I spent a lot of worrying - what others may think, would I come off as too materialistic? Not sentimental enough? Would they judge me? Is there something better we could use the funds for?
Then I admitted to myself and hubby that I really did want an bigger stone. I wanted it for my own pleasure, and my hubby was more than open to it (he of course wants me to be happy but I also think he is proud that he could provide an upgrade). I had to move away from caring what people thought - especially my MIL, though I'm not even sure she could tell that I upgraded. I shared the news with a few friends who I know would appreciate it and not judge.
Long story short, I upgraded because I wanted a bigger diamond and hubby was supportive!
Before the upgrade, I spent a lot of worrying - what others may think, would I come off as too materialistic? Not sentimental enough? Would they judge me? Is there something better we could use the funds for?
Then I admitted to myself and hubby that I really did want an bigger stone. I wanted it for my own pleasure, and my hubby was more than open to it (he of course wants me to be happy but I also think he is proud that he could provide an upgrade). I had to move away from caring what people thought - especially my MIL, though I'm not even sure she could tell that I upgraded. I shared the news with a few friends who I know would appreciate it and not judge.
Long story short, I upgraded because I wanted a bigger diamond and hubby was supportive!
My take is~~
Its not a tradition or a need but a way to celebrate and commemorate an anniversary and/or wedding vow~~
I find that..unless you are bragging to strangers or to acquaintances..sharing to family and friends is normal~~
I often hear from others who are not that into jewelry , bag, watches, etc...that ppl are bragging or being materialistic
Just like a large house or traveling..ppl enjoy things to bring them a sense of wellness and even accomplishment..
But those ppl do not buy with their earned income to "show off" or have a sense of wow from others..why would they spend that much money for a response is my thought
Its self satisfaction with an item they love and will enjoy for years to come and may pass down down to their children even
Its not a tradition or a need but a way to celebrate and commemorate an anniversary and/or wedding vow~~
I find that..unless you are bragging to strangers or to acquaintances..sharing to family and friends is normal~~
I often hear from others who are not that into jewelry , bag, watches, etc...that ppl are bragging or being materialistic
Just like a large house or traveling..ppl enjoy things to bring them a sense of wellness and even accomplishment..
But those ppl do not buy with their earned income to "show off" or have a sense of wow from others..why would they spend that much money for a response is my thought
Its self satisfaction with an item they love and will enjoy for years to come and may pass down down to their children even
Hell yeah, I've upgraded my wedding rings over the years.
We were dirt poor when we got married, I was lucky to get some diamonds in my engagement ring. And hubby had to make payments for my e-ring, we married with just our wedding bands as he was still making payments of the e-ring.
I then continued to upgrade my ring every 10 years.
I kept all the diamonds from the rings over the years and finally have had 2 beautiful rings made at year 40.
We were dirt poor when we got married, I was lucky to get some diamonds in my engagement ring. And hubby had to make payments for my e-ring, we married with just our wedding bands as he was still making payments of the e-ring.
I then continued to upgrade my ring every 10 years.
I kept all the diamonds from the rings over the years and finally have had 2 beautiful rings made at year 40.
For some people, the "upgrade" is really a change so that the ring can be worn with their lifestyle and not sit in a box all the time. I am in healthcare and change my gloves 50+ times per day at my current job. I don't wear my ring daily, but probably could wear it more because I chose a low-profile round diamond solitaire style when my husband and I started looking at rings (yes, I helped him because we had seen too many friends get beautiful but unpractical rings and then never wear them). My colleague has a micropave halo ring and has lost SO many stones while working. She absolutely cannot wear her ring to work. Her husband picked it out and she desperately wants it re-set so that she can wear it regularly. In all honesty, I probably should've chosen an even lower profile diamond (i.e. cushion). I'm not doing anything messy with my hands but just have to change gloves a lot. I would've never thought 15 years ago that I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing anything other than a platinum band but hospital policies change and jobs change. It would be a shame to just keep a ring in a box forever and only wear it for special occasions.
For me, I just happen to love diamonds and gemstones. I think I was Victoria Beckham in another dimension, she has 13 different rings! I will upgrade mine in 2 years now that I know what I love and what is practical. My wedding set is gorgeous, but it's not the most comfortable. If anyone follows the MUA on YouTube, Jaclyn Hill, she has a beautiful BEAUTIFUL round in a cushion halo and a very thin wedding band, very dainty and delicate--I think I will go that route and unsure if I'll upgrade again after that....but never say never! 
I've learned that I do not attach a lot of sentiment to "things". It's about the thought behind them. When my husband wanted to get me a bigger diamond for our 25th anniversary, and then again for our 35th, it was fun and exciting to go together to find "the one" and then find a setting that we both like to make it our special piece. It's the memory of the experience that I hold more dear than the actual ring, and I was touched that my husband wanted me to have the diamond of my dreams as we got older and more financially stable. I'm a cancer survivor who underwent 38 chemo treatments and survived so I've learned to just enjoy life. My new ring gives me much joy but it's still just a thing. Hubby wanting to do something special for me is what makes it amazing.
I tried to update my ring at my husband's request. 20 year anniversary is coming up and he says I'm too difficult to shop for. I spent a fair amount of time and decided to design a new unique ring with my current stone. The jeweler sent me a drawing/photo of what it would like. I then saw a similar ring on a billboard. Nope. So I changed my mind to do something more standard classic, more/larger stones. I bought a $35 knockoff on Amazon and wore it for a few days. EVERY time i looked down at my hand, I was a little shocked (not in a good way). I guess after wearing the same ring EVERY day for 20 years, it has become a part of me. I don't think I'm sentimental. I'm keeping my old rings!