How often for an upgrade?

[soxfan]

I don't even have my 2 carat upgrade on my finger yet (September) and I'm already thinking about the next one. How often do you upgrade? 5 years? 10? 20? Just curious....

 

[Dreamer_D]

I upgraded every year for four years to get my ideal size -- so it was four years from ring one to ring five.

I started at 0.80ct in 2008.
Upgraded to a 1.16ct in 2009.
Then 1.2ct in 2010 (color upgrade).
Then 1.66ct in 2011.
Then 1.89ct in 2012 (changed cut style and a got little more size).

 

[msop04]

I don't even have my 2 carat upgrade on my finger yet (September) and I'm already thinking about the next one. How often do you upgrade? 5 years? 10? 20? Just curious....

Well, since the hubs has very blatantly indicated that I will NOT be able to upgrade, these are only my thoughts and, unfortunately, not my reality. <a moment of silence as I mourn...>

My ideal upgrade timeline would look like this:

A) First engagement ring @ 33 years of age - 2.43 ct in halo *that I love*
B) 1st upgrade @ the birth of our last child (at about 6-8 years of marriage) - 3ish ct solitaire
C) Final upgrade @ 25 year anniversary OR retirement - New diamond, maybe 10mm and upgrade in color with new setting (TBA)

And then I wake up.

 

[msop04]

I upgraded every year for four years to get my ideal size -- so it was four years from ring one to ring five.

I started at 0.80ct in 2008.
Upgraded to a 1.16ct in 2009.
Then 1.2ct in 2010 (color upgrade).
Then 1.66ct in 2011.
Then 1.89ct in 2012 (changed cut style and a got little more size).

Well played, Dreamer!! Can your husband have a little chat with mine?

 

[SB621]

3 year anniversary upgraded from a .76ct RB to a 2.04ct RB
5 year anniversary upgraded setting to a VC Emilya halo
6 year anniversary upgraded from 2.04ct RB to a 5.06ct antique cushion with new VC Emilya Halo

I'm pretty much done upgrading. I have my dream ring so I'm very happy. For future birthdays and anniversarys I will just get pieces to add to my collection or perhaps a new stacker to add to my wedding set.

 

[yssie]

3 upgrades during our 1.5yr-ish engagement, and I've had the "marriage stones" for three years now. I've switched settings a handful of times.

 

[momhappy]

I guess it all depends on the woman wearing the ring. Personally, even though our bank account has grown considerably over the years, I don't feel the need to upgrade. We have a nice house and a fabulous family and spending money on extravagant jewelry just doesn't appeal to me as much any more. I recently did a re-set that cost me more than I had initially bargained for, but that was more about wanting a style of ring change as opposed to needing a bigger size. Sure, I have a fancy yellow diamond (my ultimate upgrade) on my wish list someday, but I don't know that I'll ever get back to a place where I feel comfortable spending thousands of dollars on a single piece of jewelry.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I upgraded every year for four years to get my ideal size -- so it was four years from ring one to ring five.

I started at 0.80ct in 2008.
Upgraded to a 1.16ct in 2009.
Then 1.2ct in 2010 (color upgrade).
Then 1.66ct in 2011.
Then 1.89ct in 2012 (changed cut style and a got little more size).

Well played, Dreamer!! Can your husband have a little chat with mine?

My husband would say, "happy wife, happy life." I would say, just get a job that pays more than your husband and assume 100% control of the finances (with his support and blessing) -- budgeting, bill paying, the whole enchilada -- and then you would be amazed what you can get away with!

In all seriousness, marriage is long. He may change his tune later on. Many many tunes can change over the years!

 

[soxfan]

3 year anniversary upgraded from a .76ct RB to a 2.04ct RB
5 year anniversary upgraded setting to a VC Emilya halo
6 year anniversary upgraded from 2.04ct RB to a 5.06ct antique cushion with new VC Emilya Halo

I'm pretty much done upgrading. I have my dream ring so I'm very happy. For future birthdays and anniversarys I will just get pieces to add to my collection or perhaps a new stacker to add to my wedding set.

do you sell your old set or keep them?

 

[diamondringlover]

engaged with a small band of rubies and diamonds in 1983, 2 years later upgraded to a .18 ct round diamond in 1985, my last upgrade is to a 1.01 princess in 2001..I hope to upgrade again but I cant justify spending that much money..the one thing I really want to do is reset my rings, that is a much cheaper alternative

 

[two_little_birds]

My husband would say, "happy wife, happy life." I would say, just get a job that pays more than your husband and assume 100% control of the finances (with his support and blessing) -- budgeting, bill paying, the whole enchilada -- and then you would be amazed what you can get away with!

This is exactly us... couldn't have said it better myself. Plus what's mine is his and vice versa, we paid for my upgrade together.

 

[Missy]

Honestly if I wanted to upgrade now (even though I just upgraded in January) and our finances allowed for it my dh would be happy for me to. Though he would probably think uh oh here we go again because I do go on and on when I am upgrading about what the choices are and I think his eyes just glaze over from all the diamond talk. He is a very supportive dh though because despite almost zero interest in diamonds he knows I love them and he appreciates that it makes me happy. Just like Dreamer's dh my dh lives by the saying happy wife happy life. Though sometimes I might have to remind him LOL.

So to answer your question we have no set time frame for upgrades and I think within the first year I upgraded and then a few years later and then a couple of years after that but it's hard to keep track now that the time is going so fast. My memory is not great. Too much stuff crammed into my brain these days. But I totally understand your desire soxfan of wanting to upgrade even though you just got one. That happened right after my first upgrade and I remember thinking my dh will think I am crazy. Now he just knows I am.

 

[soxfan]

I don't even have it yet! LOL! right now, I am trying to decide between solitaire or halo. It's driving him nuts- all my diamond talk!

 

[soxfan]

I partially blame Pricescope too.

 

[AprilBaby]

One upgrade in 33 years, from .35 to .41/1.21/.41 three stone.

 

[Missy]

I don't even have it yet! LOL! right now, I am trying to decide between solitaire or halo. It's driving him nuts- all my diamond talk!

Haha, I can still totally relate. Hmm, maybe we should have our dh's start a support group for the spouses of PSers.

Hope you love your new ring whatever you decide...and remember it doesn't have to be your forever ring. You have a blingy future ahead of you hopefully and preferences do and will change over time.

 

[soxfan]

I don't even have it yet! LOL! right now, I am trying to decide between solitaire or halo. It's driving him nuts- all my diamond talk!

Haha, I can still totally relate. Hmm, maybe we should have our dh's start a support group for the spouses of PSers.

Hope you love your new ring whatever you decide...and remember it doesn't have to be your forever ring. You have a blingy future ahead of you hopefully and preferences do and will change over time.

I only want ONE upgrade after this. A 4 carat antique cushion with a victor canera emilya halo. Yummm....

 

[chrono]

No set time line. When I feel the time is right (my jewellery fund is in the several $K range) and I see a few potential stones available, I upgrade. I upgrade not just my E-ring but my RHR diamonds too.

 

[SB621]

3 year anniversary upgraded from a .76ct RB to a 2.04ct RB
5 year anniversary upgraded setting to a VC Emilya halo
6 year anniversary upgraded from 2.04ct RB to a 5.06ct antique cushion with new VC Emilya Halo

I'm pretty much done upgrading. I have my dream ring so I'm very happy. For future birthdays and anniversarys I will just get pieces to add to my collection or perhaps a new stacker to add to my wedding set.

do you sell your old set or keep them?

My .76ct MRB I traded in for the 2.04ct. I'm currently selling my 2.04ct (actually just listed in about 10 minutes ago), and I have already sold the VC setting it was in. I only held on to the diamond for so long because I thought I might use it for something else. I'm pretty much under the reasoning if I don't wear something or set it within 18 months then I don't love it enough for it to be in my collection.

 

[kmarla]

Engagement ring – the sweetest YG ring with a tiny little .01ish diamond chip in the middle of a gold flower
1st upgrade – 1st anniversary switched to .5 carat RB YG solitaire
2nd upgrade – 30th anniversary 2.03 carat princess platinum setting

BUT........I did change the setting of the 1st upgrade ring a few times over the 29 years. I’m not sure why I never upgraded the .5 carat diamond, it wasn’t budget reasons at all, but I just never thought of it when I was changing the settings. I guess I was sentimental. I did add different bands and RHR over the years, however. I think I’m good now and don’t see future upgrades, but you never know!! I’m on the fence about what to do with my 1st upgrade, but for now I still have it.

 

[soxfan]

I kept the stones from my first wedding set and had them made into the ring in my avatar. It will be great as a RHR!

 

[msop04]

My husband would say, "happy wife, happy life." I would say, just get a job that pays more than your husband and assume 100% control of the finances (with his support and blessing) -- budgeting, bill paying, the whole enchilada -- and then you would be amazed what you can get away with!

This is exactly us... couldn't have said it better myself. Plus what's mine is his and vice versa, we paid for my upgrade together.

This is a great idea! HA!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I wore my original 1 ct round for 30 years. We had three kids who needed braces, college funds, etc. For the 30th I got a 1.6 ct hearts and arrows round, sold it at a profit and switched to a similar size stone that was a better buy, then just upgraded this year to a 2.29 ct AVR. I do not anticipate upgrading again because I honestly do not want to put any more money into an e-ring. I would potentially upgrade color if the cost was not prohibitive, though. But I do love my current stone and anticipate no more upgrades. I'd like to move on to other jewelry!

 

[junebug17]

I got engaged in '82 with a .33 stone, lost it and wore vintage rings for many years. I got a new wedding set with a 1 carat stone for my 25th in 2009 and then got an 8 mm oec in 2012. I have thought about getting a bigger stone for my 30th (dh is supportive, bless his heart), but I"ve decided I'm not comfortable spending that much money and I'm happy with my current diamond - so this is it for me. I am seriously considering a reset though!

 

[soxfan]

I got engaged in '82 with a .33 stone, lost it and wore vintage rings for many years. I got a new wedding set with a 1 carat stone for my 25th in 2009 and then got an 8 mm oec in 2012. I have thought about getting a bigger stone for my 30th (dh is supportive, bless his heart), but I"ve decided I'm not comfortable spending that much money and I'm happy with my current diamond - so this is it for me. I am seriously considering a reset though!

that's a good idea. I am torn between a solitaire or halo for my 2 carat. Maybe I'll go with solitaire and maybe upgrade to halo in a few years...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I got engaged in '82 with a .33 stone, lost it and wore vintage rings for many years. I got a new wedding set with a 1 carat stone for my 25th in 2009 and then got an 8 mm oec in 2012. I have thought about getting a bigger stone for my 30th (dh is supportive, bless his heart), but I"ve decided I'm not comfortable spending that much money and I'm happy with my current diamond - so this is it for me. I am seriously considering a reset though!

that's a good idea. I am torn between a solitaire or halo for my 2 carat. Maybe I'll go with solitaire and maybe upgrade to halo in a few years...

Good plan. If you anticipate another upgrade, it is smart not to spend too much on a setting now.

 

[junebug17]

I got engaged in '82 with a .33 stone, lost it and wore vintage rings for many years. I got a new wedding set with a 1 carat stone for my 25th in 2009 and then got an 8 mm oec in 2012. I have thought about getting a bigger stone for my 30th (dh is supportive, bless his heart), but I"ve decided I'm not comfortable spending that much money and I'm happy with my current diamond - so this is it for me. I am seriously considering a reset though!

that's a good idea. I am torn between a solitaire or halo for my 2 carat. Maybe I'll go with solitaire and maybe upgrade to halo in a few years...

Me too soxfan!!!! I really like my current setting but the only thing I notice is that in low lighting conditions the stone looks a little kite-shaped because of the position of the 4 prongs - probably a little leakage going on there. I thought either a 6 prong setting or a halo might round my diamond out a little more in those lighting situations. I really like the extra finger coverage a halo provides. But I love the simple classic look of a solitaire too. It's a tough choice!

I like the idea of starting out with a solitaire. Who knows, you might love it and not want to change it!

eta: just saw DS's post and she makes a good point - I forgot you said you were planning to upgrade. Makes sense to not put a lot of money into the setting for this stone.

 

[Laila619]

I guess it all depends on the woman wearing the ring. Personally, even though our bank account has grown considerably over the years, I don't feel the need to upgrade. We have a nice house and a fabulous family and spending money on extravagant jewelry just doesn't appeal to me as much any more. I recently did a re-set that cost me more than I had initially bargained for, but that was more about wanting a style of ring change as opposed to needing a bigger size. Sure, I have a fancy yellow diamond (my ultimate upgrade) on my wish list someday, but I don't know that I'll ever get back to a place where I feel comfortable spending thousands of dollars on a single piece of jewelry.

This! You may find that, over the years, upgrades might not be that exciting anymore once you have so many other fun things you could be spending money on. I upgraded after 10 months of marriage, then sold my upgrade two years later when my first little one came along. But there are no rules. If you have plenty of money for retirement, college funds, etc., then you can upgrade any time if that's what you and your DH want.

 

[Laila619]

I got engaged in '82 with a .33 stone, lost it and wore vintage rings for many years. I got a new wedding set with a 1 carat stone for my 25th in 2009 and then got an 8 mm oec in 2012. I have thought about getting a bigger stone for my 30th (dh is supportive, bless his heart), but I"ve decided I'm not comfortable spending that much money and I'm happy with my current diamond - so this is it for me. I am seriously considering a reset though!

You should, Junebug!! A 6 prong solitaire or a halo would look terrific!

 

[GreenBling]

3 times in 16 years, first upgrade on color, both second and third time size. Nothing was planned, just happened when we had extra fund and felt like a little gift for myself. Hubby never suggested it never had a problem either