What to do with old wedding and engagement rings
As a jewellery designer, I’m sometimes asked about what can be done with old wedding and engagement rings.
A married couple gets divorced and they're left with physical reminders of their once-happy union. While it can be difficult to part with such sentimental pieces of jewellery (and there is NO right or wrong timescale)! Sometimes it feels like the time is right to take action and there are actually a few options for repurposing old engagement and wedding rings.
Sell your old engagement and wedding rings:
Before selling, take a good look at your rings with a magnifying glass or your phone camera on max magnification - Are there any scratches in the metal or gems? Do the claws and settings look in good condition? Is it sparkling clean, if not check out this post?
Many high street jewellers will buy second hand plain wedding bands in any condition. The price they will give you is based on the weight and type of metal and its current recycling (scrap) value. Better to be forewarned here, as, rather than taking into consideration any fine detailing or the price your paid for it, (unless is it hallmarked from a luxury jewellery house or has specific provenance) it will be valued assuming they can send the gold or platinum for refining and recycling. So be prepared for an offer of £50 or less.
If it is an engagement ring or the wedding band has diamonds set in it, a high street jeweller may be interested in buying it for resale, but again, unless it is a luxury brand or of specific heritage, assume you will be offered a lot less than what you paid for the ring, as the jewellery shop may have to make repairs or at the very least have it cleaned and repolished. They will also want to make a decent mark-up and profit on the resale. Styles go in and out of fashionable demand and material prices fluctuate, so the final % you will be offered will vary hugely. Having the original diamond report, jewellery box and receipt will help maximise the offer they give you.
Another factor to consider here is that up until a few years ago, the glowing fluorescence of a diamond wasn’t factored into its value. Whereas today, a diamond that shines under UV light will be valued lower than a diamond of equal size, colour, cut and clarity without fluorescence. (Don’t panic! A glowing diamond isn’t fake, it just contains gas within its crystal structure)!
You can also try selling your jewellery on a re-selling platform like eBay where you can potentially sell for a higher price than back to a jeweller. Lots of decent close-up photos of the freshly cleaned ring in daylight and artificial lighting will help, as well as using props for size reference and images of the gem report, packaging receipt etc. Good videos would work well too if the website supports them. There are pros and cons with selling high value items on a public market place … but you know that!
There are also online jewellery auction houses that you could research and local auction houses often have jewellery specific events.
Redesign your old engagement and wedding rings:
Another option is to have the rings melted down and remodelled into something brand new. I can take the stones and metal from the old ring and design a new piece of jewellery, such as a pair of earrings or a pendant. This can be a great way to keep a piece of the original sentiment with you, while also creating something new and fresh for the next chapter of your life. At this stage my clients normally have a look through their jewellery boxes to see what other pieces they have that can go into the mix of gems and metal!
Using your old engagement ring in a new design can be a great way to repurpose a sentimental piece of jewellery. However, it's important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision …
Pros:
One of the biggest advantages of using your old wedding jewellery in a new design is that it allows you to keep an element of the original rings (and a significant part of your life) with you. The stones and metal from the old rings can be incorporated into a new piece of jewellery, creating a new perspective and focussing on the positives.
Another advantage is that it may save you money. If you were to buy a new diamond or gemstone, it would likely cost more than repurposing your existing gems.
Cons:
On the other hand, one of the disadvantages of using your old engagement ring in a new design is that it may not be possible to salvage all of the stones and metal from the old ring. Depending on the condition of the rings and the design of the new piece, it may be necessary to use only some of the stones and metal, or to supplement them with new gems and metals. This can stretch the budget for redesign. Also the original piece may have been machine made or cast, but the new piece may need to be hand-made, which increases the manufacturing costs.
The process of repurposing the old engagement ring may not be reversible. Once the old ring is dismantled and the stones and metal are incorporated into the new design, it may not be possible to undo the changes and restore the old ring to its original state. This means that it's important to be certain that you definitely want to repurpose your wedding jewellery before moving forward with the process.
Donate your old engagement and wedding rings:
The ring(s) can be donated to a worthy cause. Perhaps a family member in a serious relationship might like them for an upcoming proposal - or they might want to use the gems and metal to create something new and unique.
Alternatively, many charities and organisations will accept donated engagement and wedding rings and use them to raise funds for their causes. This can be a great way to give back and make a positive impact, while also repurposing the ring in a meaningful way.
Chuck it in the pond:
You know, if that’s what you’ve got to do, do it! But aim for a shallow bit and possibly do it attached to some string like Top Cat’s nickel!
In short, there are several options for repurposing old wedding and engagement rings. Whether you choose to sell it, remodel it, donate it, or just keep it for further pondering, there is a solution that can work for you. I am happy to help with any of these options and guide you through the process; except for the pond bit!
