Ways to Repurpose Old Wedding Rings
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Estimated read time:
12 minutesIf you're like most people, your wedding ring is one of the most important pieces of jewelry that you will ever own.
It symbolizes a love that will last forever and binds two people together in marriage.
But as time passes and that initial sparkle wears off, how can you keep your old wedding ring relevant?
There are many ways to repurpose an old wedding ring so that it remains as meaningful now as it was when it was first given to you.
Perhaps a loved one is no longer with you, and you want to mark their life with something extraordinary by repurposing their old wedding ring to carry on the love shared.
On some occasions, the love doesn't last as long as the ring, and in times of separation, it can be hard to decide what to do with your old wedding ring.
Whatever your situation, there is a solution for what to do with your wedding ring and how to make the most of where you are currently in life.
This article will look at how you can repurpose your old wedding ring!
In this article...
- Deciding Your Intentions with the Ring
- Remodeling Your Ring to an Updated Version
- Considerations to Keep in Mind
- Remodeling Your Ring into a Different Piece of Jewelry
- Keeping Your Old Wedding Ring as a Gift for the Next Generation
- Donating Your Old Wedding Ring
- Out With The Old, And In With The New
Deciding Your Intentions with the Ring
If you have had your wedding ring for some time and feel it’s not quite right for you, you must first figure out your intentions with your current ring.
Can you keep your existing ring and perhaps update it with a fresh new look - add in some extra diamonds or change the setting to have a more modern appearance?
Maybe you’re thinking of getting rid of the ring and starting fresh; you might have your eye on a completely different design that isn’t possible to achieve simply by upgrading the ring with new elements.
In that case, it might be wise to consider trading your old ring in against the purchase of a new ring.
Remodeling Your Ring to an Updated Version
Why start again when you can upcycle your existing ring?
Many people have such a sentimental attachment to their wedding ring that swapping it for a new ring simply isn’t an option. Instead, you can think about remodeling your ring into a new design more befitting your current style.
Suppose the ring is no longer used as a wedding ring. You could repurpose it for a new piece of jewelry, either for a new wedding ring or an engagement ring.
The diamonds can also be repurposed into other pieces of jewelry such as earrings or necklaces. However, this depends on the design, metal type, and gemstones used in the existing wedding ring.
Perhaps you have been gifted a family heirloom, and the style isn’t quite to your taste; you can look to update the design to fit your style more accurately.
Considerations to Keep in Mind
It’s important to consider what elements of the original ring you want to keep in your new design.
Is the metal the most important factor? Do you like the style over the colors used, or is it the diamonds and gems that are the center of attention for you?
Most jewelers will recommend focusing on the center diamonds and gemstones when thinking about remodeling an existing wedding ring, as these are generally the easiest elements to reuse.
Then you want to consider if any smaller diamonds or gems can be incorporated into your new design and if the existing metals can be reused by melting them into a new one.
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With your gems and diamonds, you also want to check for scratches or chips that might need to look more brilliant in your new design.
Again, depending on the size of the diamond or gem, a jeweler may be able to recut the stone to minimize or remove these defects altogether to make the stones appear brand new and sparkle for another lifetime.
You could also add an entirely new gem or diamond to a pre-existing ring to give it a unique look.
You also want to think about the design overall. For example, will the upgraded look reflect your style and personality over the years, and will it make you smile every time you look at it?
Remodeling Your Ring into a Different Piece of Jewelry
You may have an old wedding ring that you have no use for being a wedding ring anymore!
In that case, why not repurpose that wedding ring into an entirely new piece of jewelry?
You can take all the elements we’ve touched on in our previous point and start again with a brand new jewelry design to create something more sentimental.
One stunning piece of jewelry you could create is a new necklace!
Some people take the existing wedding ring and simply add it to a chain; this is incredibly wonderful to do if the ring has a particular significance and sentimental value, say it belonged to your parents or grandparents.
You may want to hold onto the ring for as long as possible but wear it differently.
You could also add the gems or diamonds into a new setting that can be worn as a pendant on a necklace and even use the metal in part of the chain or setting depending on the design of the existing ring.
There is also an option to keep the ring as is but fill in the center of the ring, add different gemstones and diamonds and then loop a chain through the center.
In the same vein, you can make other pieces of jewelry in just the same way, from earrings, bracelets, anklets, and other rings.
Almost all elements of an old wedding ring can be repurposed in some way; the best option is to take your old wedding ring to a jeweler and discuss your options with them.
After all, they might have a recommendation for a new piece of jewelry that you haven’t even thought of!
Keep Your Old Wedding Ring as a Gift for the Next Generation
Family heirlooms are one of the most common purposes for jewelry. Many people buy their jewelry and wedding rings to pass them down to the next generation.
There’s nothing more sentimental than being given your grandmother’s wedding band to wear as your own one day or knowing that your daughter-in-law will wear your wedding ring to celebrate the love she shares with your son.
Even if your old wedding ring isn’t going to be used as a wedding ring, it’s still a great item that your family can cherish and hold on to for years to come, and who knows, may one day be used for another marriage!
Donating Your Old Wedding Ring
Your ring likely still holds a lot of value, so you may want to consider selling your ring and using the funds towards something else that you need - perhaps a new item of jewelry, you could put it towards home improvement or maybe a trip away somewhere.
Always be sure to get your ring valued by a reputable jeweler, where you could possibly sell it on to them or list your ring somewhere else for sale.
We recommend Louped and Circa.
If your ring has lost all purpose and you don’t want to upgrade it, sell it or trade it in for a new piece of jewelry, you might want to consider donating your old wedding ring.
Many people are now choosing to give away their jewelry to charity or, if it’s a particular vintage piece, to museums who may want to display the design to showcase the evolution of jewelry fashions over the years.
There may also be less fortunate couples in your community who are looking to share their love over marriage but cannot afford a wedding ring of their own - a beautiful gesture maybe to gift your old, unwanted wedding ring so they can symbolize the love they share.
Out with the Old, and in with the New
As time passes, our minds and hearts can change.
The jewelry we once loved may not be able to steal our hearts like it once did. This is why some people upgrade or renew their old wedding rings or get rid of them altogether.
Thankfully, if you find yourself in this position, you have lots of options, and if you have an old wedding ring that you’re not sure what to do with, why not come down to the Ben Garelick showroom, where you can discuss your options, and we can show you lots of new designs that will get your inspired!
Visit us at our Buffalo, NY, store today. Not nearby? Not to worry - chat with our wedding ring experts online 24/7, call us on (716) 631-1584, or text (716) 574-0966. Let’s figure out what to do with that old wedding ring!
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