Upgrading Your Engagement Ring: Options, Costs and the Right Time
New year, new chapter, same love. Five ways to upgrade an engagement ring, from a new setting to a bigger stone, and how to keep the sentiment of the original.
An engagement ring chosen years ago, perhaps on a tighter budget, does not have to stay exactly the same forever. Many couples mark an anniversary, a new baby or simply a new year by upgrading the ring. Here are the options, what each involves and how to keep the meaning of the original.
1. Add a band
The simplest upgrade: a diamond eternity band or a curved band worn alongside the engagement ring. The original stays untouched, and the stack instantly looks fuller.
2. Add a halo
A halo of small diamonds around the existing centre stone makes it look up to a size larger and adds sparkle. This usually means a new head or a new ring built around the original diamond.
3. Reset the stone
If the band has worn thin or the style feels dated, the original diamond can be reset into a new design, keeping the stone that was given at the proposal.
4. Upsize the diamond
Some couples move the original diamond to a pendant or earrings and set a larger stone in the ring. With lab-grown diamonds, a substantial upgrade in size is far more affordable than it once was.
5. Redesign completely
A completely new ring, with the original diamond as the centre, an accent stone or set inside the band as a hidden reminder.
How the process works
- Inspection: the jeweller checks the original stone for chips and measures it.
- Design: a CAD render shows the new piece. Our bespoke service starts here.
- Making: usually three to four working weeks for bespoke work.
- Paperwork: update your insurance with the new valuation.
What decides the cost
New metal
A new ring or head means new gold, priced by weight and karat. Reusing the original band keeps this low.
New diamonds
Halo stones, a band or a larger centre stone. With lab-grown diamonds these cost a fraction of natural ones.
Labour
Design, setting and finishing. Moving an existing stone is less work than a full redesign.
Paperwork
A grading report for a new centre stone, and an updated valuation for your insurer.
Keep it wearable
An upgrade often means a bigger or higher stone. Before you commit, think about daily life: a low-set bezel or a flush halo catches less on jumpers and gloves than a tall six-prong head, and a band of about 2 mm leaves room for a wedding ring beside it. If you work with your hands, ask for the profile to be checked against your wedding band in CAD before anything is made.
Halo designs to upgrade into
Is it rude to upgrade an engagement ring?
Not at all, especially when it is a shared decision. Many couples upgrade for a milestone anniversary.
Can my original diamond be reused?
Usually yes, after an inspection for chips or damage.
When do people upgrade their engagement ring?
Most often at a 5th, 10th or 25th anniversary, after a baby, or when the original setting wears out.
Can I trade in my original diamond?
Some jewellers offer exchange schemes, mostly for natural diamonds with reports. Lab-grown diamonds have very little trade-in value, so most people keep the original stone in the new design or in another piece.
Will resetting damage my diamond?
A careful jeweller removes and resets stones safely. The stone is inspected first, because an existing chip can grow when pressure is applied.
