Upgrading Your Engagement Ring - What You Need To Know

Is it okay to upgrade your engagement ring? The answer is yes. Couples may choose to upgrade their engagement ring for a variety of reasons from budget changes to changing style preferences to celebrating anniversaries. It doesn’t have to be what you’re thinking either. Nope, an upgrade of your engagement or wedding ring doesn’t just mean replacing it with a bigger and shinier diamond ring (although we love this for you if that’s the case) but it also can be a lot more sentimental with subtle upgrades like changing bands, stones, settings or personalising with engravings. Here’s everything you need to know about upgrading your engagement ring including how to ask your partner for an upgrade, our engagement ring guide and some shopping suggestions, of course.

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Our guide to upgrading your engagement ring including how to ask your partner for an upgrade 

Why should you upgrade your engagement ring?  

According to Shane Co. in a survey all about engagement ring shopping in the US, 1 in 10 respondents are not happy and wish to upgrade or trade in their current engagement ring. Firstly, if you don’t like your engagement ring to start with, opting for an upgrade could be a really good compromise that doesn’t offend your partner’s feelings too much. It’s a win-win situation.  

In the same survey, 36% of respondents say they would consider upgrading their diamond’s carat size at some point and there are a variety of reasons for this, let’s break them down: 

1. Budget Changes

If you had received your engagement ring when you and your partner were both fairly young, it’s likely that your income has changed since then. Your finances and saving ability usually gets better as you get older and more established in your careers, perhaps you can now afford your dream ring, which you may not have been able to back when you first were engaged. 
 

2. Out Of Style

Every trend had a lifecycle and if you were at one point really on the rose gold hype a few years ago but now prefer white gold or were all about the halo diamonds but now are thinking about those timeless solitaire settings, you wouldn’t be the only one. If your ring is very much a reflection of the time you bought it, you may be thinking about upgrading it. 

3. Personal Tastes

In a similar way, it is inevitable that your taste and style will change and perhaps your ring just doesn’t fit the aesthetic you’re going for right now. Upgrading elements of your ring can have a significant impact on the way you view it. 

4. Acknowledge An Anniversary

For anniversaries, but especially for the major anniversaries, it’s common for couples to celebrate with either an eternity ring (a third ring to add to your wedding ring stack) or to upgrade the initial engagement ring with either a completely new ring or some slight adjustments that reflect the anniversary. Perhaps a new diamond or ruby relating to the anniversary year you’re celebrating. 

5. Vow Renewals 

A vow renewal or symbolic ceremony is also a great excuse to get your engagement or wedding ring upgraded. After all, any hesitation to upgrade your ring/s because they weren’t involved in your initial wedding ceremony can be totally avoided with another ceremony! 

Can you upgrade your wedding ring? 

Yes! It is far more popular for couples to upgrade their engagement ring instead of their wedding ring, but it is possible to do so. The reason for this is that your wedding bands are a lot more sentimental than your engagement ring, especially if you had a religious ceremony where the rings were blessed. Also, wedding bands are traditionally more minimalist and simple so you may opt to focus on upgrading the real sparkler, your engagement ring. 

That being said, if you have built your own wedding ring stack with a wedding band that works to highlight your engagement ring (e.g. a wishbone wedding band), then it’s possible you might seek to change or upgrade this ring too.

Can you trade in your engagement ring for an upgrade? 

This is actually something jewellery stores already offer! If you don’t already know, you should take a look at the exchange policy where you bought your engagement ring from. Select rings may be included in the exchange but double-check the expiry on the exchange policy too! 

How can you upgrade your engagement ring?

Changing the band 

Upgrading the band of your engagement ring can completely refresh its appearance. You could switch from a plain metal band to one with intricate designs, pavé diamonds, or even try a different metal like platinum, rose gold, or a mixed-metal look within your stack. This subtle change can elevate the overall elegance of the ring without altering the centre stone.

Add colour 

Incorporating colour into your engagement ring can make it more unique and personal. You can add coloured gemstones such as sapphires, emeralds, or rubies alongside your diamond or as accents even on the inside of the ring. Alternatively, you can choose a coloured diamond just like Blake Lively, Katy Perry, and Victoria Beckham or switch to a coloured band to infuse personality and vibrance into the design.

Adding a new stone

For a more dramatic change, consider adding a new stone. You could upgrade to a larger centre stone, adding side stones for extra sparkle, or including different gemstones that have personal significance. Multi-stone settings like a three-stone trinity ring are also a popular way to enhance the look. You could also add a stone to symbolise a child or other significant milestone. 
 

Adding an engraving 

Personalise your engagement ring with a meaningful engraving. This could be a date, initials, or a short phrase that holds sentimental value. Adding an inscription inside the band is a subtle and intimate way to make the ring uniquely yours.

Adding a ring enhancer 

A ring enhancer (or ring guard) is designed to complement and frame your engagement ring. It can make the ring appear larger and more ornate by adding extra sparkle and detail. Enhancers come in various styles, from simple diamond accents to elaborate designs that drastically alter the look of the original ring. You could upgrade your wedding ring to a ring enhancer style too. 

Adding a double halo 

If your ring already has a halo, adding a second one can significantly boost its brilliance and presence. The extra layer of smaller diamonds surrounding the centre stone amplifies its size and sparkle, giving the ring a more luxurious and dazzling effect.

Adding a surprise diamond 

For a touch of hidden luxury, add a surprise diamond to the underside of the band or tucked away where only you know it exists. This small, discreet detail adds a layer of special meaning and sophistication to the ring, allowing for a subtle upgrade.
 

Get an entirely new ring 

For the ultimate upgrade, you could opt for an entirely new ring design. Starting fresh with a new ring allows you to create something completely aligned with your current style and preferences.

How to ask your partner for an engagement ring upgrade

Now here comes the tricky part, if you’ve decided you want to upgrade your engagement ring, how do you ask your partner? This is something you want to handle with care and sensitivity so as not to offend any feelings. 

Firstly, think about the reason why you want to upgrade your ring so you can justify yourself. It could be one of the reasons we’ve already mentioned like financial changes, personal style or an anniversary. Don’t bring the conversation up during times of high stress, perhaps have the conversation when you’re alone and in a calm environment. Begin your discussion by stating your gratitude and love for your original ring. Emphasise the sentimental value and how much you love the meaning behind the original ring. This shows that your request isn't coming from a place of dissatisfaction, but rather a desire to refresh or enhance a meaningful symbol. Plus, you could suggest how the upgrades would honour the original ring. 

Present the idea as an opportunity for both of you to create something new together. You could say, “I’ve been thinking about how we could upgrade the ring to reflect our journey so far. I think it could be a fun experience to design something new together.” This makes it feel like a collaborative, exciting project, rather than just a personal request. If it’s more about your own style preferences, be honest but sensitive about that by saying, “My taste has evolved a bit, and I’ve been thinking about how we could update the ring to match that.” 

If you’re still a bit nervous about your partner’s reaction, offer the upgrade adjustments we’ve mentioned above as opposed to a whole new ring to show that you’re open to a solution that works for you both. Your partner might have their own emotions tied to the engagement ring, so be prepared to listen to their thoughts and concerns. Approach the conversation with empathy, ensuring that it remains a mutual decision.

Lastly, be patient! An upgrade may not happen immediately. Your partner might need some time to warm up to the idea without added pressure. 

Need some more inspiration on how to style your engagement ring with your wedding ring? We’ve got all the answers you’re looking for with our advice on how to style your wedding ring stack. Are you considering upgrading the ring with a vow renewal but wondering how that all works? Our ultimate guide to vow renewals will be your new best friend.