At first mention, the idea of upgrading your engagement ring can make some people wrinkle their noses. After all, the person you cherish the most put a lot of time, effort, and savings into choosing what they thought was the perfect symbol of your steadfast love and commitment. There is this idea surrounding the engagement ring that, just like the love it symbolizes, it is supposed to be everlasting. However, as sentimental as you and your partner may feel about your ring, there may come a time when you want to upgrade, and this can happen for several reasons. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t always because the bride simply doesn’t like her ring. Keep reading to learn all of the great reasons for wanting to upgrade your engagement ring.

What Exactly Are Engagement Ring Updates?

Sometimes people think that updating their engagement ring means getting a new ring altogether. While that may be the case for some, more often than not, it is just an enhancement made to the stone or setting. You can trace this trend back to the 1950’s, when the world saw an economic boom after WWII. Young couples who married under financial constraints now wanted to update their modest engagement rings for something a bit more lavish, not only to symbolize their change in financial situation, but as a reflection of how their love and lives had grown through such turbulent times. Among ways they found to mark this milestone included adding more diamonds to the center stone, creating a halo effect, or swapping precious metals for the band.

Update a Dated Stone or Setting

Sometimes, based on when you received the ring, the stone or setting becomes noticeably dated. Perhaps you were into Art Deco period pieces and rocked an Asscher cut, but now you want something a bit more modern. Perhaps you fell hard like we all did for Princess Di’s blue sapphire, but now you want something a bit more subdued that goes with everything.

To Mark a Milestone Anniversary

Just like the ring was purchased and proposed with because it is a symbol of your love and commitment, you can celebrate your continued commitment and how far you’ve come together with an upgrade. We call these milestone anniversaries; big years for most couples are 5, 10,  and 25, but really any year you want to celebrate how far you’ve come will do.  Milestones can also be welcoming a new child, buying a house, or a big promotion at work – your ring represents your journey as a couple, you get to decide what to celebrate. Updates can take shape in the form of adding another band, a halo of diamonds surrounding the center stone, adding another center stone to the one you already have, turning it into a toi et moi setting or, perhaps a complete overhaul where you take the stone from your ring to turn it into a pendant, and you get an entirely different ring. The sky is really the limit - work with a skilled jeweler and go for the moon. Just remember that because the ring represents your commitment to each other and your journey together as a couple, it’s good practice to decide together when and how your ring should undergo a facelift.

Stop by Schwarzschild Jewelers to see what kind of upgrade is right for you. Visit us in Richmond, Charlottesville, and Midlothian Virginia.