What to consider before upsizing the diamond on your engagement ring.
Deciding to upsize your diamond engagement ring is an exciting and sentimental experience. Maybe you’re looking to commemorate a special milestone or anniversary. Maybe you want to modernize a family heirloom with deep roots and history. Maybe your financial situation has changed since you first married, and you simply want a bigger stone or a more custom look.
Whatever the reason, upgrading the diamond on your engagement ring can be almost as thrilling as getting the ring in the first place. Before you get carried away, there are some things to consider. Keep reading for a comprehensive guide on how to upsize the diamond in your engagement ring.
What To Consider
As you’ve probably gathered, upsizing the center stone on your engagement ring is a little more complicated than making a swap. There are a few things to consider before upsizing the diamond in your engagement ring, such as:
- The size, cut, clarity, and color of your existing stone.
- Your budget for an upgrade.
- The cost of the new diamond and any additional fees charged by the jeweler.
- Whether the setting will need to be upgraded.
- Whether your ring will also need to be resized.
- How to reflect the sentimental value in your new ring.
- Whether you want to keep any family heirloom stones and have them set in a new design.
- The reputation of the jeweler.
What To Do
Assess Your Current Ring
It’s best to have a clear idea of what you want before you start asking a jeweler to make changes. Begin by assessing your current ring and asking yourself what you want to keep in your new, custom arrangement. Consider the size, cut, clarity, and color of your existing stone and what characteristics you should look for in a new stone.
Research Your Options
Once you know the type of diamond you want, it’s time to research your options. Many jewelers offer upgrade services allowing you to trade your old diamond for a new one. Some retailers will even offer full value for your old stone. However, it’s vital to do your research and read reviews before committing to any jeweler.
Consider the Cost
The cost of upgrading your diamond will depend on the size and quality of the new stone, as well as the jeweler’s fees. It’s essential to set a budget before starting the upgrading process and stick to it. Otherwise, you might find that costs start to run away from you.
Explore Your Setting Options
It’s not just about the center stone. You want to make sure you also consider the setting of your engagement ring. Updating the setting can completely transform the look and feel of your engagement ring. Some jewelers offer remounting services that allow you to keep the same band while updating the setting but be sure to think about how the finished product will look so there are no surprises.
Consider Resizing Your Ring
Some changes are more straightforward than others. If you are upsizing your diamond significantly, you may need to resize your ring to accommodate the new stone. All of these little tweaks cost extra, so make sure you understand the full scope of the redesign before you commit.
Protect Your Investment
Just like the first time around, it’s important to protect your investment. Consider purchasing insurance for your new stone, so you can rest easy knowing it’s covered in the unlikely case anything goes wrong.
Additional Costs
As we’ve said before, upsizing the center stone on your engagement ring isn’t easy, and you might encounter additional costs you didn’t expect.
You may encounter added costs for resetting or resizing the ring or adding additional stones beyond the center rock. Suppose your new diamond is significantly bigger than the old one. In that case, resizing fees may apply to ensure your ring can support it.
As with everything, it’s important to work with a reputable jeweler with experience upsizing stones and creating customer engagement rings. A professional will be able to give you an accurate estimate of the costs and scope of the work involved.
What Other Changes Can You Make?
If you like the size of your center stone, thank you very much, then that’s great! You’re not limited to diamond upsizing. In fact, there are lots of modifications you can make! If you’ve inherited a family heirloom and are looking for ways to make it your own, then you should consider customizing the piece.
A professional jeweler with the skill to create custom engagement rings can help you create something truly unique that captures the feeling of your love and the history behind it.
Here are some creative ways to upgrade your engagement ring:
- Update the setting to change the look of the ring.
- Use the original center stone as a side stone and add a larger one.
- Accentuate the center stone with additional diamonds on the band.
- Build a color combination using different gemstones as accents.
- Keep the center stone but alter the band for a different look.
- Swap the center diamond for a center gemstone.
- Have your original stones set in a different design.
- Keep your original center stone and upgrade your setting.
Deciding to upgrade or customize your engagement ring is exciting, but it can also involve a lot of work and emotional labor. To avoid getting overwhelmed, make sure to do your research, set a budget, and work with a reputable jeweler so your new ring is everything you envisioned and more. Create a new heirloom that will travel through your family for generations with a look that’s uniquely yours.
