Sentimentality and DSS

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

Anyone super sentimental and also have DSS? What did you end up doing and what was your thought process? Seems like an alternate ER is a good option, but can be a very expensive solution starting from scratch for a large diamond vs. trading in/upgrading an existing ER!

 

[musicloveranthony]

What's DSS?

 

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

What's DSS?

Diamond Shrinkage Syndrome. Over time, either your diamond starts to look smaller to you, and/or you start admiring larger carats.

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I’m super sentimental, and though the question of upgrading isn’t here yet since the first ring hasn’t even made it on my finger I do think about how I would handle it because, like you said, DSS is real and I’m sure it will eventually set-in for me.

If I look at what the people in my life have done, almost no one has upgraded by trading in their e-ring. Buying a new stone is usually the way to go, though this means that the timeline for upgrade gets pushed out to later and you usually go up in size a max of once, save an unexpected windfall or inheritance.

For me, waiting until a later point in time is a good compromise. So, if I could afford to upgrade to my dream size in 5 years by trading in my stone, I would rather wait for 10 and keep my initial stone. I feel like there’s something very romantic about passing down my ering down generations, not necessarily for them to use as erings but just as a memento to remember me and my SO by.

Other trade offs I’d be willing to make are: compromising a bit on colour and clarity (thankfully I am not very colour or clarity sensitive and can see myself going down to something cape coloured and eyeclean with no issues); foregoing another piece or two of jewelry from my wish list; and if all else fails: learning how to be content with what I have (the desire for more and bigger is endless, so even if I indulge myself into wanting a bigger ring, I don’t plan to let myself fall out of love with my first).

another good option for others (not me personally, but that’s a mind clean thing) is perhaps going lab over mined for the alternate ring.

 

[EClove]

That’s what I ended to doing @AllAboardTheBlingTrain! For me the mind clean thing wasn’t an issue for lab diamonds and I also couldn’t bear parting with original e-ring so I’m keeping it as is and upgrading to a much larger lab diamond after 10 years. I probably won’t wear my original e-ring much anymore but I do love that I’ll have 2 rings to pass down - one to each child. (That is until I end up with a third ring… )

 

[rockysalamander]

I'm not at all sentimental. But, in my life, there are several very sentimental folks who have discussed their first e-ring with me and we've talked about options. There was a split between 'keep it to give to next generation' and 'make it a pendant' after all was said in done. Only 1 person traded the diamond, but she always said it had bad juju from the husband's family and was happy to see it go.

 

[Petalouda]

I kept my original ring and surprised myself with how often I still wear it. The diamond is smaller but the ring is still gorgeous and though I don’t usually get attached or sentimental to objects, my original e-ring is an exception.

 

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

I do think a lab alternate ER is a good option.

I personally would have no issue continuing to upgrade an alternate ER, as it isn't as sentimental as the original ER and wedding set!

 

[Mreader]

I kept my original and even reset it but I hardly ever wear it! Also @musicloveranthony how can you be on PS and not know what DSS stands for?!

 

[dk168]

I don't have DSS as such, and am never going to get rid of my 1.19ct E VS1 EC as the stone has sentimental value.

I upgraded its original plainer solitaire setting that I did not particularly liked (I was rather green and left it to the jeweller to decide on the setting after specifying the stone must be bezel set), to a diamond air gap/line halo that provides more bling and finger coverage.

I am toying with upgrading the setting in a few years' time, with lab/MMDs, in either a 3-stone with step cut traps or ECs, or a 5-stone with ECs or baguettes; to provide more finger coverage and presence/bling.

DK

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

im a sentimental old fool i guess
if i had an ER - even a tiny microscopic chip of a diamond (aka promise ring) id be keeping it forever
but i would move it to a pinky in the upgrade

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

I had my first non-maul ER turned into a necklace (the ring pictured). If you love it you love it! It's even still in the original halo.

 

[lulu_ma]

I'm not overly sentimental but I love my ering will always keep the center stone. I also love my anniversary ring, but I wouldn't say no to a larger OEC.

I guess my strategy is one to keep and one to upgrade

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

I upgraded my first ER and still regret it.

 

[ksage92]

Used my original stone as a side stone in a new ring. Best of both worlds for me!