Can You Modify an Engagement Ring?

Upgrading and modifying your engagement ring is certainly something that can be done (and is becoming more common!). 

Whether it be that it’s looking a little bit outdated, worn, or you’d like to revamp the design to match your style; there are many valid reasons for modifying an engagement ring. At the end of the day, your engagement ring belongs to you, which means the decision of modifying it is ultimately a personal one. The good news is that there are ways in which you can modify an engagement ring while preserving its sentimental value.

Table of Contents

• Can you Modify Diamond Engagement Rings?
• Budget for Engagement Ring Modification
• Options for Modifying an Engagement Ring
• Upgrade the middle stone
• Modify the ring band
• Update the stone setting
• Final Thoughts

Can you Modify Diamond Engagement Rings?

Yes - you certainly can.

Whether you’re thinking of changing the stone setting of the engagement ring or want to add more stones, there are plenty of options available for those who are looking to upgrade the appearance of their engagement ring. Many people upgrade or modify engagement rings to better reflect their personality or to emphasise the stage of their relationship through the ring.   

Modifying your engagement ring can help to enlarge it so that it is more comfortable to wear, but can also be done to commemorate your relationship, such as for a wedding or anniversary. 

Upgrading an engagement ring is exciting because you can add precious stones, decorate the shoulders, or engrave the band. Your imagination is the only limit, along with the current setting and style of your ring.

Budget for Engagement Ring Modification

Since the diamond that’s on the ring is always going to be the most expensive part of the engagement ring, it’s safe to say that you are not going to be stretching out your budget too much by modifying the ring, since most of the cost will be on either engraving the band or adding a few more stones to elevate the appearance of the centre stone (which is the one that cost you the most).

How You Can Upgrade Your Engagement Ring

Upgrade the Middle Stone

Now that you’ve got your budget in order, one option is to upgrade the centre stone on the ring. For instance, if you had initially got a smaller diamond stud set on the ring, but are having second thoughts, you can upgrade the ring by adding a larger stone. 

Upgrading the existing stone on the engagement ring can be done in many ways. The best way to do that is by asking around or going online to find different types of gems, cuts, and sizes, and whether they will match the original engagement ring style.  

That being said, if you decide on having a larger diamond for the middle stone, you may want to shop around first to get the best prices. This is where having knowledge of the 4 C’s of diamonds will come in handy. The 4 C’s will influence the price and duration of work for modifying the engagement ring. 

Modify the Ring Band

If you do not have the budget to get a bigger stone for the centre of the engagement ring, you can instead modify the engagement ring by changing the style of the band, whether by making it wider, introducing a heartfelt engraving on it, or something else entirely. 

For example, you could replace the current band with a side stone band, which has a unique look while allowing you to add more gems to the ring. Adding gem accents to the ring in this way is an easy upgrade that brings more sparkle and enhances the appearance of the centre stone itself.

Using this type of modification also means that you will not lose the centre stone. In this way, you can keep the sentimental value of the engagement ring intact without making any drastic changes to the ring. 

Update the Stone Setting

If you do not have the budget to upgrade the ring by getting a larger stone, you can easily create the illusion that you have by simply changing the setting of the stone on the engagement ring. 

Most engagement rings are made with the diamond stone set in a pointed setting — also known as a cathedral setting. This setting can easily be upgraded by changing it into a bezel setting, which will not only prevent the diamond from getting damaged but will also enhance the look of the diamond. The bezel setting also happens to be an excellent way to upgrade the appearance of stones that have been damaged.

Some other diamond setting options that are available are prong setting, channel setting, bar setting, gypsy setting, tension setting, cluster setting, and so on.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it — just some ways to easily upgrade the appearance of your engagement ring and get the most bang for your buck. There are countless other options that we’ve not listed above to customise and modify your engagement ring, and it will take some creativity and research to find the right one for you. 

If you would like some guidance in finding out the best way to modify your engagement ring, look no further than our expert jewellery designers at GS Diamonds. Our advice is just a call or a store visit away, so don’t hesitate to approach us to give your engagement ring a makeover!