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Benjamin’s Guide to Upgrading an Engagement Ring
Upgrading an engagement ring is a lot more common than you’d believe. Benjamin Khordipour, a GIA-certified gemologist, lecturer, author, and renowned jeweler, shares his expert advice on transforming, renewing or upgrading your engagement ring into something that you weren’t able to do the first time around.
Skip directly to guide on how to upgrade an engagement ring.
What Does “Upgrading an Engagement Ring” Mean?
Upgrading an engagement ring means positively modifying your ring (or buying a new one) to better reflect your current preferences or standing in life. This could involve replacing the center stone with a larger or higher-quality diamond, switching to a different precious metal for the band, adding intricate details, or purchasing a brand new ring.
Below we’ll go through a list of all the possible options you can implement to upgrade your engagement ring.
Is it Appropriate to Upgrade Your Engagement Ring?
Yes. It has been common practice for centuries to upgrade jewelry. In fact, its a part of the journey of the engagement ring, that it will continue to evolve along with the couple. Upgrading your ring is a healthy way to celebrate your life-changes and ensure it continues to reflect who you are today.
Most original engagement rings are limited by budget constraints. Additionally, style preferences usually evolve. Upgrading doesn’t diminish the original engagement ring. Instead, it’s a way to honor your journey by creating a piece that grows with you.
That being said, there are some who refuse to alter their original engagement ring, and will instead replace it with a new ring instead. They’ll usually keep the original for an heirloom or to wear as a pendant. There are no wrong approaches. It all depends on the feelings and personality of the couple.
7 Ways to Upgrade Your Engagement Ring
As mentioned, there are so many different approaches that one can take when upgrading their engagement ring. Here are all the options, including how to proceed with each plan.
1. Upgrade to Completely New Ring
Purchasing a new ring is one of the most popular options that we see couples making when they’re ready to upgrade. This option lets them keep the original ring intact while investing in a new piece that reflects their current style and financial standing.
The new ring can be designed from scratch or selected from an existing collection, giving them complete control over elements like the stone, setting, and metal. Some clients also choose to incorporate accents or motifs that subtly honor the original design.
Costs for a new ring vary widely as there is no limit or restriction on which direction the couple wants to go.
Pros: This option offers total creative freedom and allows you to keep your original ring intact as a keepsake or heirloom.
Cons: It’s often the most expensive option and can feel like a big departure from the original sentiment.
2. Upgrade the Center Stone
Upgrading the center stone is another very popular options for couples who want to add excitement into their engagement ring. And elevating the center diamond is a great way refresh the engagement ring while keeping its original design intact.
Switching out the center diamond is usually extremely easy and very quick. It involves replacing the current stone with a higher-quality diamond. If the dimensions of the new diamond stays the same and only the quality is upgraded, the process is even easier.
Almost all the price of the upgrade will be spent on the new diamond. The actual jewelry-work to switch the diamonds is a negligible cost.
Between sourcing the new diamond and switching them, most diamond upgrades take approximately 1 week to complete.
Pros: A more beautiful center stone. A very easy process. Not much risk to the existing ring.
Cons: This method will only improve the quality of the center diamond. It will not address your potential desire to update the style or feel of the ring. If you’re upgrade the size of the diamond, that could possibly require difficult and risky jewelry-work.
Example: We recently worked with a couple who wanted to replace their 1.50-carat diamond with an antique 3.50-carat old-European cut diamond. To accommodate the new size, our jewelers needed to rebuild the basket-gallery, reinforce the original prongs to hold the larger diamond securely, and then secure all the existing accenting diamonds.
Important Note: If the new diamond is even slightly different in size to the old diamond, upgrading it will be very difficult to do without risking its integrity. Do not use a jeweler unless you’re absolutely certain that they’re extremely proficient.
3. Add Accenting Stones
Adding accent stones is a subtle yet effective way to elevate your engagement ring. This involves incorporating smaller diamonds or gemstones around the center stone, shoulders or shank to create a new design.
Depending on the number, size, and quality of the accenting gemstones, this upgrade can typically range from $1,000 to $10,000 and typically takes 2–3 weeks to complete.
Pros: Accent stones can transform the look of your ring without requiring major changes to the original design.
Cons: Adding stones can make the ring more fragile or harder to maintain, depending on the setting.
Example: A couple recent asked us to help them add diamonds on the shoulders of their solitaire engagement ring for their 10th anniversary. It was a very simple upgrade, but it gave so much new life to it.
4. Switch the Metal of the Mounting
Switching the metal of the mounting of your ring is a great way to refresh its appearance. This upgrade can also reflect your evolving style, such as moving from yellow gold to a modern platinum finish.
The process involves having an expert jeweler reset the existing stones into a newly crafted ring with your desired metal. The cost will depend on the metal and design but expect to pay between $2,000 – $4,000 for the cost of the metal and the jewelry work. This upgrade will take at least 2–4 weeks.
The jeweler will typically remove all the gemstones, create a copy of the ring, and then reset the gemstones into the new setting.
Pros: Switching metals will give a fresh feel to the ring. The style and vibe of the ring will stay identical to the original.
Cons: It’s a lot of work for a very minimalistic update.
Example: A few years ago we helped a couple upgrade their white gold ring to platinum for increased durability and a more polished look. There was also the added benefit that platinum is hypoallergenic and they wanted to eliminate her allergic reactions to the gold.
5. Redesign the Shank of the Ring
Redesigning the shank (the lower part of the band that wraps around sides and bottom of your finger) offers a nice overhaul to the ring’s style while keeping the top of the ring intact. This upgrade method illuminates most of the complications when upgrading your existing ring, while still giving an improved and modern feel.
Options include replacing the entire shank for another design or metal, adding intricate engraving, adjusting the band’s thickness, or choosing a twisted or split-shank design. The cost typically starts at around $1,500 but can go up based on complexity. The timeline will usually start at 1 week but can vary upwards depending on the workload.
Pros: Redesigning the band will enhance both the aesthetic and comfort of the ring. Gives the ring a fresh look. Avoids dealing with all the complications that arise when altering the center diamond and side accents.
Cons: Significant alterations may make the ring feel like a large departure from original design. Can get quite expensive.
6. Upgrading the Setting but Keep the Diamond
Upgrading the setting but keeping the diamond means that you will replace the entire mounting for a newer design and then set your original diamond in the center. This is a very popular option and many of our customers over the years are very happy moving forward with this choice.
The biggest advantage of this option is that the ring feels completely brand new, but the most expensive part of the ring (the diamond) is still the same.
Costs can range from $1,000 to $15,000, depending on the cost of the new mounting, and also depending if you’re handcrafting the new setting or just picking out an existing mounting.
Pros: A new setting can dramatically change the ring’s appearance and highlight the center stone. Because there isn’t any changes to existing jewelry-work, the integrity of the ring won’t be jeopardized.
Cons: Can be expensive. Will be a big departure from the original design.
Example: We recently upgraded a client’s engagement ring by switching from a prong setting to a sleek bezel setting. We took the round diamond out of the original engagement ring, placed it into the upgraded ring, and then gave them back their original diamond-less ring to keep as an heirloom.
7. Personalize with Meaningful Details
The final way to upgrade your ring is to personalizing it with meaningful details or meaningful messages. You can engrave special dates, initials, or even phrases onto the back of the band.
Additionally you can include subtle additions to the ring like hidden gemstones or special designed engravings. The cost is usually very low and can start at around $100 for simple message and take a day or two.
Pros: Very low cost and risk. Keeps the integrity of the ring. Very low risk
Cons: The back of an engagement ring usually has very limited the space, and the messages will need to be short. Can feel a little insignificant as far as upgrades go.
Example: A couple engraved their wedding date and initials inside their band, and added a hidden blue sapphire underneath the center stone that represented an inside joke between the two of them.
Afshin’s Top Tips for Upgrading Your Engagement Ring
I reached out to Afshin Shaddaie, who has been in the jewelry industry for over 30 years and asked for his top tips when upgrading an engagement ring. Here’s what he said:
- Set a clear budget for the upgrade. Decide on a comfortable budget before you start exploring your options. This will enable you to quickly see what is feasible and will avoid a lot of disappointment down the line.
- Consider long-term wear. Even if an upgrade sounds incredible, ensure that you also consider what will be durable and practical for everyday use. The engagement ring will be sitting on the top of your finger all day.
- Work with a trusted jeweler. Only collaborate with an experienced jeweler who you trust. Doing surgery on an engagement ring requires a lot of expertise. Be very careful who you use.
- Preserve sentimental elements on the ring. If possible, incorporate parts of your original ring, such as the center stone, into the new design.
- Think about future trends. You can only do so many changes to your engagement ring before it begin to fall apart. If you’re planning a big change to the ring, make sure that you opt for a timeless style that won’t feel outdated a few years later.
- Plan ahead and don’t rush. Allow plenty of time for designing, customization, and adjustments. Rush jobs are a bad idea. If you’re planning the upgraded ring to coincide with a special occasion, plan the jewelry work to start a long time before the event.
- Explore trade-in programs. Ask your jeweler if they have options to trade-in your existing ring (or metal or gemstones) to offset costs on the upgrade. Most jewelers will be happy to work with you to make the upgrading fees easier.
Consult with a Jewelry Expert
Have questions about upgrading your engagement ring? Fill out the contact form below. We will respond within one business hour.
