Heirloom engagement rings are a popular choice for those who value tradition, and are typically passed down from a grandmother or mother or found in an antique shop. While these rings certainly have many advantages, including a history of love and romance, it is not always practical to keep the ring exactly as it is when handed down.
Some rings may be otherwise perfect but a little too big or small. Others may be almost perfect, but lack an added sparkle. You may also want to include stones from another parent’s ring to make the ring truly special. Whatever the reason that you may be considering resetting or altering a vintage or antique ring, we have put together a few things to keep in mind to get the best results.
Resetting and Customising Engagement Rings
Resetting engagement rings can mean a number of things. It could be resizing the band, adding or removing stones (whether missing, worn or loose), customising the ring by changing the shape or type of stones or all of the above. To ensure that you get your dream ring, here are some tips to consider…
- Find a good jeweller. This sounds obvious, but a gifted jeweller will not only be able to make the alterations you require, but will also help you with the customisation process by making helpful suggestions. He may advise on what changes are possible, and what changes could potentially ruin the ring. With a professional jeweller’s help, you can create a ring that is truly one of a kind. A chain store or busy jewellery shop will seldom have the same devotion and may end up making changes that decrease the rings value.
- Have an idea of what you want. Look at bridal magazines, websites and various other sources of inspiration to get a solid idea of what you want the ring to look like. What features do you like and what features would you prefer to change? Are you going to use the current design and simply enhance it, or will you change the stones to something more modern? Be clear, and wherever possible, take pictures of similar designs to your jeweller so that he can see what you have in mind.
- Be tactful if the ring is a family treasure. Whether it’s the groom’s family or the bride’s, the number one thing to remember when resetting any heirloom ring is tact. Gently broach the topic about resetting, explaining your reasons. If those reasons include thinking that the ring is hideous, find another reason that will not be hurtful. If the ring has been in the family for generations without little to no alteration, it may be better to keep resetting down to the absolute essentials to resize or fix loose or missing stones. You could also keep the ring unchanged and wait until an anniversary to consider resetting.
Resetting diamond engagement rings is an excellent option for those who want to update a beautiful old ring. But, to ensure that you are able to fully enjoy the ring, it is a good idea to keep these tips in mind before making any rushed decisions to revamp the ring.