Let’s say, hypothetically speaking of course (cough, cough), that you were a complete idiot and lost your engagement ring.
Thankfully the insurance gods smiled down at you and accepted your claim. Now you have a pocket full of money and a shit ton of options as to what to do with it.
Would you…
A. Create an exact replica of your lost ring? Why?
B. Create an entirely different ring ? Why?
C. Take a combination of choices A and B and create the same setting with a little more flair? Why?
D. Upgrade your center stone in either size, clarity, or shape? Why?
Thoughts?
{ 73 comments… read them below or add one }
Hmmm… that’s a hard one. On one hand, I’d want to replicate the lost ring, but on the other, it will never be the same, really, so why not bling it out or change it all together? LOL
girl you can go wrong with any of those choices. I say number 3 though. Its still “your” ring but with a little more flair like you said!
As you already know
I’d make my plain band a smidge thinner and upgrade the stone… ’cause I’m materialistic like that!
Oh thank God your claim was approved!! This whole thing has made me double check my ring insurance and I’ve started putting it in a ring box at night. If that happened, hypothetically of course, to me I think I would do a combination of my original and a small change. I have a brilliant cut center stone with 7 princess cut diamonds (around .10 each) on either side. I would elevate my center stone a little (right now it stems directly off of the band) and also upgrade the size, maintaining the same color/clarity I have now. We’ve talked about upgrading the size for our 5 yr anniversary (my reward for surviving putting Mr. through his PhD) so I’ve already thought about it!
Personally, I love the setting in choice “C!”
I guess it depends on how you feel/felt about your original ring. If it was everything you ever wanted forever and always then I’d go with an exact replica. However, if as time and years went by and you saw other rings and went down the thought path of oh my gosh, I LOVE that bezel/setting/diamond shape etc then it may be worth exploring other design options. Personally, I’d probably get something completely different, just because I could. Good luck with your design and yay for smiling insurance gods!
because i’m crazy about my ring, i would do it just the same. maybe a little bigger for the stone if the insurance $ would cover it. i have only been married 2 months though… so add a couple years on to that and i could be ready for a change.
I would probably keep it the same, but upgrade the stone, but that’s just me. I’m a big stone, simple band kinda girl.
Hmmmm, at first, I was like DEF re-create the original one, but technically, it’s not the original ring. I like the idea of the combination of the old ring style with a little something new. That way it’s not “entirely” new, but it’s a little diff at the same time since it is new. And glad, you got approved. I’m sure that was a huge relief!!!!
I would probably upgrade my ring with a little more ‘flair’ while keeping the integrity of my original ring. We always assumed that we would upgrade my ring later anyways after Husband graduated. But I’m not one to wish for a big flashy center stone either. That’s just who I am.
I’m so glad insurance has come through! You know immediately after you get your new one, th eold ring will magically appear (or at least that’s how my life goes). I would do choice C, because I would want something similar, yet not an exact replica. It’s like when people name new dogs the same name as previous pets. Nothing can replace the first, so it’s best to differentiate.
That was a weird analogy.
Part of me would want an exact replica because that is what DH picked out, but part of me wants a totally different ring. I have a really simple gold band and ring so I would want blinged out!!
First, thank you Insurance Gods for helping my sweet friend!!!!!!
xoxoxo
Second, I’m with Stephanie (comment #1), the ring will never be the same so I would upgrade that bad boy. My vote – hands down is for C!!!!!! And, this should be confirmation (not that you need it) that I LOVE YOU b/c because I LOVE C for myself
I pick C! Since you can’t have the exact same ring as your first engagement ring you might as well add some flair to the diamond replica!!
Okay, this is a tough one. I guess it all depends on how you felt about your ring. For me, I would do one of two things because I love my ring. 1) Exact replica but upgrade center stone since my ring appraised for 30% more than my hubs paid for it since he got it at the Mart. or 2) Vary it slightly and do a plain band with a larger center stone. I currently have a pave band for both rings, and I think it also looks very pretty to have a plain band with a diamond wedding band. Makes the engagement ring stand out more, I think.
Good luck! I’m so glad the insurance pulled through but so bummed you lost your ring!!!! So, the real question is… what do you do now if it mysteriously shows up in the lint trap in the dryer or something!? lol
I’d have to say C because it will be similar to your original ring, but with an updated twist! Good luck, you have so many choices!
If I had it all to do over again, I would go with a plain band for my engagement ring. If you are not meticulous in cleaning the pave stones, they appear gray to me. The plain engagement ring band makes your wedding band stand out too. Happy shopping!
i dont know what choice i would go with…but i would go with the third choice cause i freaking love it. oh, and i would obvi get mr. m’s input (maybe even the final input)? esp. if he was the one who ultimately picked out the first one? is that old school? ignore me if you hate the idea
I’ve actually been through this, and I did B and D because I wanted something with a bigger center stone and a more dainty band. My new ring actually looks very similar to the last two pictures!
Option C because it is gorgeous! In all seriousness, the old ring is gone. You have to replace it and replacing it with an exact replica does not give you your old ring back, which I know is your first choice. I like the idea of keeping your new ring close in style to the old but giving it its own character with a little flair. I had to replace my original setting and the wise salesperson gave me this advice and I am happy with my new setting – plus a little ‘flair’! I LOVE that setting! If I had ever seen it before today I would be wearing it!! Just gorgeous! Also, upgrading size/clarity isn’t going to hurt anyone but your bank account! Good luck and I am still so sorry you can’t find your original. I keep checking your site hoping for god news! I guess this is the next best thing.
Down payment on a (bigger) house! I realize that is twisted logic. But I live in an area where real estate is virtually unaffordable. Our 1 bed room, ZERO closet, 550 square foot condo cost $300,000. As a full time grad student, I’d love to pad my savings with the money from an insurance claim. All I need is a wedding band with a little bling. Though, I think that may be insurance fraud?? Of course, I’d only do that if I legitimately lost my ring and had exhausted all resources in trying to find it.
I think I would do the same ring with a little more flair. Whenever I do get married eventually I would want to do that to my orginal ring anyways. Plus then if you find your ring at somepoint you won’t have two of the same…you would get to keep it right? (sorry I am an idiot and have no idea how insurance for rings works…I mean I assume yes but who knows)
Well, I’m not married so maybe you could take this with a grain of salt. However, I suggest option C. Definitely don’t get the same one. But maybe “upgrade” it a little. Or at least do something different. I did lose a pretty important ring (from my mother) about 4 years ago. I got robbed and it was gone. As a replacement, I chose a new stone (my birth stone) and I love this ring more than the one I lost. Whichever decision you choose is the right one. I’m sorry you have to go through all this trouble though.
Ok I just asked the guys I work with and they filled me in.
I say choice C! You still have a little piece of your original ring and then a little something extra
So glad you are getting the insurance!!! Have fun with the new ring!!
I would say change it all together, let this ring have a meaning of it’s own because as some of the others have said, you’ll never be able to get the original back. So why not just go from here and let this new ring have a significance of it’s own!! Just a thought.
oh gosh I’m so glad your claim got accepted!
I think I would do something different because it’s never going to be my original ring. but, i may do something similar and upgrade the size a few notches
so many options and choices but I do love C!
Same stone, new setting! That way you’d have an identical stone that was given to you and you got married with but a new setting would upgrade it a bit. Best of both worlds.
That is hard. I actually picked out my ring myself and I love it. However, since then I have seen other styles that I really like as well. The halo is cool, and it does make the stone look bigger. My favorite of the styles you suggested is C, which is actually similiar to my ring, so I guess I wouldn’t change it. I love the tradition and simple elegance of your originial ring too. Let us know what you decide!
Bigger is always better.
It depends. What does your wedding band look like?
Upgrade! I like option C. I’m so glad the insurance is coming through. I can only imagine (I’m not married) how devastated you must have been when you realized it was gone!
For me – Option A all the way. My husband put so much time, thought, and effort into my ring (he picked out the setting nearly 3 years before proposing and later spent a full 8 months researching the diamonds – how great is he!?) that even though I had nothing to do with choosing it – I LOOOOOVE it. I love it, i love that he did it all on his own, i love that he took into account all my tastes in jewelry and then transferred that into a classic (and durable!) ring with a center stone that is just right for my hand and fits my tastes perfectly. If I ever want to change anything about my ring, I’ll be VERY suprised. But, thats me. I have plenty of friends (and even my mother!) who would jump at the chance to change/upgrade their rings.
i love option B. if the insurance money covers it, go for it! just out of curiosity, have you determined how your original went missing?
Definitely C…that way you can have the “memory” of the original ring, with an additional pizazz upgrade for the future! Sounds like a wonderful problem to have!
I might would go with keeping the original look and perhaps adding another band to the other side of the ring, just like your wedding band, if you can afford it. That way you still have the original look your hubbs went for, but something extra too. If you can upgrade the size/clarity etc then go for that too. My hubbs opted to go down a little in size to get the better clarity/cut and, trust me, the added sparkle factor that comes with a good cut/clarity definitely makes up the difference in size! Good luck!!
I say go with option C, because what if, for some craaaaaaazy reason your ring shows up, then you would have 2 beautiful rings and not 2 rings that are the same. But then I dont know how that works with the insurance claim and all of that. But I still say option C.
For me it would depend on how long I had been engaged/married. If it was under 5 years total, I’d probably do the same ring. Over 5, something different. Although, you could just replicate the center stone and add a little something extra. That’s what I’d most likely do.
Gosh, I would say to have the same setting, with a little upgrade or flair. That way, it still looks very similar to your previous ring (which was/is gorgeous, by the way) with a little something extra
Of course, I’m wildly sentimental and when I thought I lost my ring earlier this year, I was utterly heartbroken because I didn’t want another ring, I wanted the one that my husband picked out and gave me. But, that’s because I’m a sap. Although, I won’t lie, if we had the money, I’d upgrade it a ‘lil bit. But, we don’t, so, I don’t worry about that.
Good luck!
Such a hard decision. You think it’d be awesome to have all that money to spend on something pretty, but I’d probably lose sleep over it!
While I like the idea of a new ring, I’d probably keep the same ring. Just because that’s what my husband chose for me. It’s more of a sentimental thing than anything else. He took the time to pick it out with me in mind, and I don’t like the idea of changing what he picked. But it also helps that I like the ring he chose for me
I say keep the look with a little more flair. Unless you just absolutely loved your original ring and what the same exact ring. I love option c though. Can’t wait to see pics of the new ring.
I think I’d mix the two. That way it’s still similar yet very new all at the same time!
I vote C because…. hello, gorgeous!
Go with C. You might have wanted to upgrade someday anyway, so just go ahead and do it now. Right? I say C because it’s gorgeous– not for any kind of sentimental value.
You know me… I’m just hard-hearted! haha
I think you need the flair… you weren’t really a solitaire girl anyway!
I would go with D. I love my ring (I just got engaged a few months ago) and can’t imagine changing anything about it except that it could be a little bit bigger. It’s not small by any means, but just a smidge bigger couldn’t hurt any.
I love the second ring. If it were me, I’d go for something new. My original ring will be special and I’d want it to be different than the replacement. Plus I love my ring but after six years I am ready for a change.
I have to say that I feel awful for you! I couldn’t even imagine what I would be like if I lost my engagement ring. My husband reset my grandmother’s diamond for my engagement ring so it is truly priceless to me. For that reason, I think I would replace it with something totally different. I think it would make me to sad to look at a replica and know it wasn’t the “real” one. Let us know what you choose!
Upgrade! Why not?
i would upgrade, sista girl! if you can – why not? bigger is always better!
let us know what you decide!!!
C!! I agree with everyone else who chose C lol
I would do C. Even if you replicate the orignial it’s still not the original so you might as well do something a little different. My ring is a family heirloom so I didn’t choose (although I do love it) and if it got lost I would definately do something different.
CCC!!!!!
All your options are amazing, but C is phenomenal!
I like this question. I don’t think that I would do an exact replica, because even though I love my engagement ring, I would always know that it was a “copy”. I would take the opportunity to do something similar to the original, but add a little more flair – maybe a few more diamonds around the band than what it currently has. I would keep the diamond exactly as it is – nice clarity, great cut, and a perfect size (just over a carat). Very good post!
Upgrade center stone with exact replica. It is just like your old one with the flair being a bigger rock.
I say you go with a center stone in the same shape as your old one and then either get a larger center stone or a blinged out band. My ring has a diamond band and I absolutely love it. It’s really thin and delicate so it doesn’t overpower the center stone. So glad you can get a new one!
I love D!!!!
I would totally go to Bailey Banks and Biddle at willowbend mall and get a giant stone at a great price! They are closing and have gorg. rings!!!
Somewhere in between us post please!!!! It’s been more than a week!
Upgrade!
Choice A and upgrade to a HUGE ass rock!
If it was me, I’d probably get something incredibly similar to my current ring. My husband did a great job picking it out. No, it’d never be *the same ring*, but it’d hold the same sentiment as my original. But I’m also one of those saps who, even if we eventually became billionaires, would never “upgrade” her ring to a bigger diamond.
I say, go big or go home! Plus, you might find the original some day. And, you won’t want 2 of the same. But, then again…What do I know?
That 3rd ring is stunning.
This actually just happened to my coworker last month! Unfortunately for her, her ring was not insured. I don’t think she knows what she’s going to do about it yet, she’s just been wearing her band. She was really upset though–I’m sure the sentimental value far exceeds the monetary value!
Um, I’d take any of them. Now to find a boy to give me one. <3 Sorry I’m not of much help in this department, they are all gorgeous and I know with your impeccable taste you’ll pick something fantastic.
C!!!
I have been playing on Blue Nile for over a year now creating my dream ring. I had a great engagement ring and my generous husband remodeled it as a surprise when he took it to get cleaned. But, the remodel changed the whole dazzle. The original setting was awesome and the stone just stood out, but now with a lower setting and side stones, it’s just okay. BUt I can’t say anything because it would really hurt his feelings and I have had it 10 years now. Really miss the original one though! I say take the chance to make it even better than before!
Holy toledo, go with C. gorgeous!!!
I vote for B or C because you might find the original. Then you would have two gorgie rings and no copy cats! Xoxo-BLC
Well, I am such a traditionalist and so sentimental, that I would replicate the original one. However, I also feel – like many – that every time I saw it I would know that it wasn’t the one my husband used to propose with. Still, someone brought up a great point that you still could find the original, and then what are you going to do?
In this case, I would use the opportunity to get something a little more unique that symbolizes your relationship as it grows – beautiful and strong, but a little better than before.
C..C…C!!!
Thank goodness all went well with the claim.
I think I would do A or C! A little upgrade never hurt anyone
FYI, #3/C is stunning. Absolutely understated gorgeousness!