What to do with engagement ring from first marriage?

[GucciObsessed]

I am divorced after a 10 year long marriage. I am now looking at diamonds with my boyfriend and planning to get married next year. I still have my engagement ring from my first marriage. It's a pretty stone and I am not sure what to do with it and wondered what others did with theirs or suggestions? It is a 1.71 carat excellent princess cut, VS1 and J color. (Does not look yellow, looks white)

1.) I do have a young son I could leave it to. However, I have another 1.8 round brilliant passed down to me from my Mother and I plan to give that to him. Plus I think a ring from his now divorced parents is bad luck!

2.) I could have it made into a pendant. But think it might be bad karma PLUS at 1.71 carats it might be too big to wear often.

3.) I could sell it. The stone was purchased in 1997 for $7500. Any idea on what % I could expect from that. I do not need the money so this isnt a terrible appealing option. This would just be to get rid of it.

4.) Just keep it and do nothing.

5.) Using the stone again in my new engagement ring is out of the question. Neither me or my boyfriend want to do that!

Thank you!

 

[ame]

I would keep it and reset into a pendant or something. If you try to sell it you will MAYBE make 33% of what you paid/it's value. The secondhand market does not go well usually for diamonds or jewelry.

 

[Swanky]

I'd reset it as well.
You could try and find a matching stone and make earrings

 

[Phillyfan]

I would save it for son and give him or his future fiance the choice of the 2 stones.

 

[onegirlcreative]

i would give it to your son for when he gets engaged. no, i don't think it's bad luck at all—your marriage didn't work out, your ring has nothing to do with that.

 

[Hekate]

I think saving it for your son is a good idea: even if the marriage didn't work out, it had its upsides ... like your son himself! And if, when the day comes, he doesn't want that stone, you'll have your family stone in the wings. You'll always be able to sell it, after all.

Diamond Bistro seems like a thriving place to sell, if that's the route you take, now or later (hope it's okay to mention another forum on here).

Me? I'd put it in a box for a while now ... and if, eventually, you want to use it for a pendant or suchlike, go for it. My everyday pendant is a 1.3 pear in a chunky bezel, so probably similar size-wise, and it doesn't seem too big to me - on a long enough chain, anything can seem proportional.

 

[mrs moulds]

I have a wonderful "new" husband and he has purchased me a lot of great jewelry. I though about selling my rings or creating a fabulous new piece of jewelry; however, I've decided to give them to my daughter when she is older. So, if you want to pass the ring on to your son is a great ideal.

 

[nyc_cady]

I've been married before and am getting re-married next May so I've been where you are now! My first marriage didn't end well and I had two engagement rings. One was my grandmother's which I obviously kept regardless of the outcome of the marriage. The one that my ex gave me was a 1.50 carat emerald cut solitaire, very simple, but pretty. I ended up selling it because while I didn't need the money, I just wanted it gone and no reminders of what a cheater he was. I then donated the money to Dress for Success NYC. It made me feel better knowing that the money from a ring to a failed marriage helped one of my favorite charities!

 

[GucciObsessed]

Thank you all! I think for now I will do nothing and wait. Our son loves us both (and we both make him a priority and have an amicable relationship because of it) and I think he might appreciate having something from our marriage. Or he could sell it if he wants.

Although I LOVE Swanky's suggestion about making a pair of earrings! Of course a quick search on Blue Nile shows I would need to spend about $7000-8000 for another diamond and almost 2 carats in each ear might be a little big, no? Still love that suggestion!

 

[GucciObsessed]

NYCCady - that's a great story! And very generous of you! Your ex sounds just like mine, at least mine did the same thing (cheating) which is why in a way I don't want a reminder of him. I am in such a better place and happier. And thrilled that I found love again! Living well is the best revenge! Congrats on your marriage!

 

[mrs moulds]

I've been married before and am getting re-married next May so I've been where you are now! My first marriage didn't end well and I had two engagement rings. One was my grandmother's which I obviously kept regardless of the outcome of the marriage. The one that my ex gave me was a 1.50 carat emerald cut solitaire, very simple, but pretty. I ended up selling it because while I didn't need the money, I just wanted it gone and no reminders of what a cheater he was. I then donated the money to Dress for Success NYC. It made me feel better knowing that the money from a ring to a failed marriage helped one of my favorite charities!

What a wonderful jester!!!

 

[Swanky]

Your son can always give it to his 1st DD. My grandmother gave my sis her 1st diamond.

 

[OlgaMUA]

Our son loves us both (and we both make him a priority and have an amicable relationship because of it) and I think he might appreciate having something from our marriage.

then there's your answer.. keep it for him.

 

[kimber418]

Hi Gucci!

There is a designer I love that takes your stone and puts it into a contemporary setting that is stunning! She is awesome. I have a few rings of hers and I
am getting my first engagement emerald cut diamond (same husband but upgraded stone) made into one of her designs. I am going to do it soon.

Her name is Barbara Heinrich www.barbaraheinrichstudio.com

Here is an example of some of her work....but check out her site and look at each ring. She sells mainly out of artsy boutiques all throughout the country. My husband bought me my first one in Telluride Colorado at an art gallery.

Good luck! I think after you reset it into something totally different that you love you will forget about where it came from. Then you could pass down the ring to one of your children someday!

 

[originalheather]

I would reset it in a pendant. I don't think the diamond will be too big for that.