To upgrade or not to upgrade

[BrightSpot]

For those of you who upgraded your e-rings,  what did you do with your original e-ring & why did you make the choice you did? Are you happy with your choice?

Thanks for your feedback!

(I wasn't sure if this was the right forum for this question, so please feel free to move this thread if there's a better place for it.)

 

[Enerchi]

I kept my original e ring and it is not going to be changed. My 2nd upgrade stone was reused when I redesigned and made this current 3 stone setting.

OOPS! I said "current"!! I think I'm supposed to be considering it the "final" setting... wow - Freudian slip???

 

[Christina...]

I kept my original ering and am going to be having it set as a pendant so that I can continue to wear it everyday. I've recently gotten the go ahead on the current upgrade, and am having a dilemma. I'm not sure if I want to upgrade my center stone to something larger if I want to add side stones to my current diamond and change the setting. I'm sort of in limbo.

What are you thinking? Have a project in mind?

 

[warmdiamondlove]

My e-ring was on sterling silver & we had planned to upgrade it from the very start. When it came time to look for a new ring I couldn't find one I would be happy with as my e-ring. (Which I still have and keep in a box put up.) So I finally decided to get an anniversary band to wear with my wedding band! I love it & I am VERY happy with my choice!

Otherwise though I see nothing wrong with upgrading to another e-ring rather than an anniversary band. You could always put your first ring up for children (if you plan to have any.) Or make it into a necklace.

Here is my upgrade:





It is on my pinky in that last picture because it needs sized.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I kept my original e-ring and I will let one of my children use it for an e-ring if they'd like.

 

[BrightSpot]

A bit of background (perhaps I should've written this to begin with!): 

Dh & I have been married a little over 5 years. My e-ring was created with a diamond that was in my family & a custom made setting that dh & I had made together. At the time, he said I could upgrade in the future if I wanted, but we hadn't seriously discussed it since. 

So, I've been thinking about the idea of upgrading recently, but am not sure whether/when/how to go about it. Since we didn't purchase the center stone, we're not working with any kind of upgrade policy, so the upgrade would be an entirely new purchase. 
I suppose I could either try to work with a vendor that would take my current e-ring in on trade or try to sell it myself, but worry the amount I could get for it in a secondary market might not be worth giving up my ring.

I tend to be sentimental, though, and would be sad to give up my original ring. I asked my dh his feelings on this & he would actually feel better about trading in my ring for an upgrade than keeping it & getting a new one too since he feels if I kept it, I'd never wear it & that would be wasteful. (I would plan to wear it as a rhr, but I would undoubtedly wear it less frequently than I do now.) I do have a diamond ring I inherited that I would be happy to trade in toward an upgrade, that doesn't have the sentimental (or monetary) value of my e-ring. 

Also, I'm just not sure if spending the amount I'd need to spend to feel like I was getting exactly what I wanted is possible or prudent. 

Knowing how others came to the decisions they did regarding upgrades will help me in my decision making process. Thanks for your help!

Enerchi, gorgeous ring! Lol re: current vs final! I definitely see how upgrading can become a process that lasts through several rings. I kind of worry once I get started, I won't want to stop!
Do you still wear your original e-ring & if so, how often?

Christina, that's a nice idea to use your current stone to make a pendant you can wear everyday. Its hard to decide, isn't it? What does your current ring look like?
As for me, I've wanted everything from an asscher to an oec to a cushion. My current setting is fairly ornate (the stone is a rb) & sometimes I wish I had a simpler setting (with a bigger center stone!) so that I could mix it up with bands, etc.

Wdl, gorgeous eternity band! Congrats on your upgrade! Do you wear it with your e-ring?

Diamond seeker, what a lovely gesture! Your children are very lucky!

 

[warmdiamondlove]

A bit of background (perhaps I should've written this to begin with!): 

Dh & I have been married a little over 5 years. My e-ring was created with a diamond that was in my family & a custom made setting that dh & I had made together. At the time, he said I could upgrade in the future if I wanted, but we hadn't seriously discussed it since. 

So, I've been thinking about the idea of upgrading recently, but am not sure whether/when/how to go about it. Since we didn't purchase the center stone, we're not working with any kind of upgrade policy, so the upgrade would be an entirely new purchase. 
I suppose I could either try to work with a vendor that would take my current e-ring in on trade or try to sell it myself, but worry the amount I could get for it in a secondary market might not be worth giving up my ring.

I tend to be sentimental, though, and would be sad to give up my original ring. I asked my dh his feelings on this & he would actually feel better about trading in my ring for an upgrade than keeping it & getting a new one too since he feels if I kept it, I'd never wear it & that would be wasteful. (I would plan to wear it as a rhr, but I would undoubtedly wear it less frequently than I do now.) I do have a diamond ring I inherited that I would be happy to trade in toward an upgrade, that doesn't have the sentimental (or monetary) value of my e-ring. 

Also, I'm just not sure if spending the amount I'd need to spend to feel like I was getting exactly what I wanted is possible or prudent. 

Knowing how others came to the decisions they did regarding upgrades will help me in my decision making process. Thanks for your help!

Enerchi, gorgeous ring! Lol re: current vs final! I definitely see how upgrading can become a process that lasts through several rings. I kind of worry once I get started, I won't want to stop!
Do you still wear your original e-ring & if so, how often?

Christina, that's a nice idea to use your current stone to make a pendant you can wear everyday. Its hard to decide, isn't it? What does your current ring look like?
As for me, I've wanted everything from an asscher to an oec to a cushion. My current setting is fairly ornate (the stone is a rb) & sometimes I wish I had a simpler setting (with a bigger center stone!) so that I could mix it up with bands, etc.

Wdl, gorgeous eternity band! Congrats on your upgrade! Do you wear it with your e-ring?

Diamond seeker, what a lovely gesture! Your children are very lucky!

I will go ahead and assume that you wouldn't get as much for the ring as you would want if you sold it. It really does suck!

Have you thought about doing costume work? Maybe melting down the metal in your current ring then adding two more stones for a three stone ring?

I wear the anniversary band & my wedding band alone! I don't wear the e-ring due to it being silver. :/ & Thanks!

 

[BrightSpot]

I will go ahead and assume that you wouldn't get as much for the ring as you would want if you sold it. It really does suck!

Have you thought about doing costume work? Maybe melting down the metal in your current ring then adding two more stones for a three stone ring?

I wear the anniversary band & my wedding band alone! I don't wear the e-ring due to it being silver. :/ & Thanks!

Interesting idea. Unfortunately, my diamond is currently set in a halo setting, so changing it to a 3-stone would probably result in less finger coverage than I have now.

 

[AprilBaby]

Mine original is haloed in a pendant. Nice and close to my heart

 

[swingirl]

My original stone has been recut and now lives around my neck in a pendant. I wear it 24/7---which is way more than I wear my upgraded ring. It it 0.4 ct, not certified and is probably close to an SI2 or lower. But I still love it and wouldn't dream of selling it.

 

[Enerchi]

Enerchi, gorgeous ring! Lol re: current vs final! I definitely see how upgrading can become a process that lasts through several rings. I kind of worry once I get started, I won't want to stop!
Do you still wear your original e-ring & if so, how often?

Thank you for your kind words!

no, I do not wear my original ering any more. It spins (I had it resized after one of the 3 kids, when I was at a pretty 'full' body shape...!) and it was put away until I went thru our safety deposit box recently and pulled it out to show my daughter. I'm much too sentimental to remove it and use it in another setting or alter it in anyway. I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to some items. I thought purchasing the 20th anniversary diamond would satisfy my 'sparkle' craving... and it did... (for a while! ) Now, I'm thrilled with how the new 3 stone ring looks

might just be craving a little more bling to go along with it...

This is my thread - [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-3-stone-e-ring-upgrade.167386/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-3-stone-e-ring-upgrade.167386/[/URL]

 

[Haven]

I upgraded! I traded my original ring in to my jeweler to use its value to offset the cost of my new stone and ring. (My jeweler gave us back exactly what we paid for the original stone and setting, so that was nice.)

I'm not sentimental about things, so it wasn't difficult to give up my original ring. I had a moment of "OHMIGOSH what if I hate the upgrade and this is a total mistake?!?!?!" while DH and I were on the way to see my upgrade for the first time, but that disappeared the moment I saw it.

I loved my original ring, but it turned out that it was waaaaaaaay too modern for my taste. I love my upgrade a teensy bit more.

Here they are, original e-ring on the left, upgrade on the right:

 

[Enerchi]

beautiful upgrade, Haven!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I still have my original e-ring. I am thinking of setting it in a pendant.

Your ring OP would work as a pendant: Just take the shank off, add a bail, voila! No point selling it, just start over.

 

[Christina...]

I currently have a 1 ct asscher on a 2mm pave band. We only upgraded a year ago and that was from a .70 ct center with saphire sides, so initially the 1 ct seemed like the perfect size for me even though they face up smaller than a round. I also have size 8 chunky monkey fingers and DSS set in quite quickly. However I really do love my asscher and I'm super afraid that I won't love the new upgrade diamond as much. I feel that perhaps I'll fall in love with the finger coverage and then out of love with the perfomance. So, now I'm sort of on the fence, I'm considering adding side traps and trillions and making it a 5 stone to add coverage and bling, I've considered adding a halo, although I haven't found one with an asscher that I adore. I've also considered adding an eternity band to either side of my e-ring to switch it up a bit, and since I don't have a wb (a long story) this makes sense too. It's enough to make you scream!

I do know that I'm super happy that I didn't trade in my first ering, it was the first piece of jewelry that DH ever bought me....or anyone ever and I'm a bit sentimental. I've given lots of thought to using my upgrade policy for my current diamond as well, but as I mentioned it scares me a bit and unfortuanately I haven't fallen in love with anything this particular vendor has access to at this time. It sounds as though your ering means so much to you and I think that you will be sad to part with it, maybe you could plan another project after the (maybe) upgrade and incorporate your original ering? I love the thought of being able to continue to wear mine everyday too!

 

[marcy]

I had my original diamond (.15 ct) mounted in a pendant along with the diamond accents that were in my ring guard. I eventually bought a spinel to mounted in my original wedding set. I don't wear the ring too much these days but I sure like my pendant. I wear it quite a bit.

 

[stargurl78]

I still have my original e-ring. I am thinking of setting it in a pendant.

Your ring OP would work as a pendant: Just take the shank off, add a bail, voila! No point selling it, just start over.

This would be my suggestion. I don't think I would trade it in - If you are sentimental, you might regret it. I was just recently married and don't plan on even considering an upgrade for quite some time but if we decide to, I will definitely keep my original ring. And even if I upgrade my e-ring, I will always wear my original wedding band.

My parents have been married for almost 37 years and for their 35th anniversary my mom wanted to upgrade. I talked her into keeping her original ring and purchasing a new set for her upgrade. She was hesitant not to trade her original ring in but has told me multiple times that she is so glad she listened to me. She alternates her rings depending on where she is going that day so she gets plenty of wear out of both of them.

 

[BrightSpot]

Aprilbaby & swingirl, I love that your original e-ring stones are close to your heart! What a lovely idea. 

Enerchi, I hear what you mean about being sentimental about your ring. (And also wanting more bling! It can be a never ending cycle!) let me know what you decide. 

Haven, I am very familiar with your upgrade as I've spent much time drooling over it! Your stunning oec with the lovely rose good setting that's simple enough to suggest many compatible band choices yet unique & special in design. I just love it. (in fact, whenever I see an oec diamond, fantasize about making a haven ring for myself.)
If I had the upgrade policy that you did with your ring, it might be a more clear cut situation for me. That said, I am sentimental about things, (my dh is not) so it would likely be harder than I'd think. 

Dreamer, wow, that's a great idea & one I hadn't thought of. It would totally work & the look would be the same as my ring. Too bad you there isn't some sort of snap-on setting so I could wear it as both a ring and pendant!

Christina, I love asschers, especially with side traps. So elegant! (though it is a shame that they face up smaller) Do you think if you wait a bit that something will come up that's right  your alley? It's can be so hard to find the right solution sometimes. I think you're right that I'm too sentimental to give up my e-ring. 

Marcy, what a lovely pendant & it's meaning is so sweet. And your upgrade is gorgeous! Congrats!

Stargurl, congrats to your parents on their anniversary! I'm glad you talked your mom into keeping her original wedding set. I would also plan to keep my original wedding band. I also really like the idea of having 2 wedding sets & alternating which one I wear. 

Thanks so much for all of your replies. It helps to hear different options. 
I talked to a friend about this IRL yesterday but she didn't seem to understand my dilemma. Sometimes I forget that not everyone has the same views on things jewelry related as PS members. 

So, in the short term, I decided on a new colored stone sparkly, but the idea of an e-ring upgrade is still bubbling below the surface. It's probably only a matter of time, so keep the ideas coming!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Too bad you there isn't some sort of snap-on setting so I could wear it as both a ring and pendant!

Such a thing does exist I have learned!

You made the terrible mistake of getting a substantial halo the first time around It is a mistake because if you get a larger diamond but keep it as a solitaire, it will look much smaller when worn. If you get a larger diamond but keep the halo, it won't look bigger unless you go up like a carat or more (the halo adds so much spread that small changes are not noticable). You are in a pickle

My best advice if you want an upgrade is to do something totally different, like a three stone, so you will still have finger coverage and a different look.

 

[BrightSpot]

Too bad you there isn't some sort of snap-on setting so I could wear it as both a ring and pendant!

Such a thing does exist I have learned!

You made the terrible mistake of getting a substantial halo the first time around It is a mistake because if you get a larger diamond but keep it as a solitaire, it will look much smaller when worn. If you get a larger diamond but keep the halo, it won't look bigger unless you go up like a carat or more (the halo adds so much spread that small changes are not noticable). You are in a pickle

My best advice if you want an upgrade is to do something totally different, like a three stone, so you will still have finger coverage and a different look.

I'm literally laughing out loud because you're exactly right! Big halo + airline + bezel + diamond = best possible finger coverage given my diamond size. So I guess I did ok there in a sense, but it would indeed be difficult to upgrade without feeling like I downgraded too. There's no way we could afford a solitaire in a size that would give me similar coverage.

Ah, well, I can always daydream.

And are you serious about the changeable setting? Please do share!

 

[Sparkledrops]

My original diamond is a .20ct round brilliant that was set into a 4-prong tiffany setting. I haven't worn it in years, but it is very sentimental. I recently had it set into a heavy "love knot" style setting that I can wear as a RHR, or even on my left hand if I want a more understated look for an active day. Trying to post a pic of it....

 

[AprilBaby]

I love the love knot! What an awesome idea!!!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

A bit of background (perhaps I should've written this to begin with!): 

Dh & I have been married a little over 5 years. My e-ring was created with a diamond that was in my family & a custom made setting that dh & I had made together. At the time, he said I could upgrade in the future if I wanted, but we hadn't seriously discussed it since. 

So, I've been thinking about the idea of upgrading recently, but am not sure whether/when/how to go about it. Since we didn't purchase the center stone, we're not working with any kind of upgrade policy, so the upgrade would be an entirely new purchase. 
I suppose I could either try to work with a vendor that would take my current e-ring in on trade or try to sell it myself, but worry the amount I could get for it in a secondary market might not be worth giving up my ring.

I tend to be sentimental, though, and would be sad to give up my original ring. !

Hi,

I'm sentimental too and if, in order to upgrade, I had to give up my small little eng. stone (which mine is ), I'd rather never upgrade! If I upgrade, I probably would put my diamond into a pendant. I already have a solitaire pendant (bezel/dbty) but it flips, so I'd opt for a different design with a longer chain. I did sell a nice diamond I had a few years back and will say I always have regretted it!

 

[Sparkledrops]

I love the love knot! What an awesome idea!!!

Thank you! I really like it because it has no prongs and is very smooth and comfortable. I was so excited just to get to wear my original diamond again!

 

[MomInstyle]

Hi Brighspot,

I stumbled into your old threads on the making of you original e-ring inspired from FC ring. I could post a reply from there since it was a very old thread. I love your ring and it's very beautiful. May I ask what is your finger size? I want to have an idea of the coverage on the setting width.

 

[diva_alicia]

After a decade of marriage we upgrades. I kept my original wedding band and engagement ring band. I had the stone and head removed. A new head was placed on the original band with the new diamond. Then I had the original diamond set into a solitaire pendant. I couldn't be happier!