Upgrades · buyer-reported · updated September 2026
What Buyers Paid to Upgrade a Ring
An upgrade is the one purchase these buyers made twice: they knew what the first ring cost and chose the second anyway. The upgrades came to a median $4,000, more than the $2,250 median for a first ring, with half of them between $1,500 and $9,000. Among buyers who said how they feel about a ring, 143 had upgraded by the time they wrote, and 100 of those have no regret about it.
374upgrade purchases buyers described
$4,000median paid for the upgrade (169 US prices)
$2,250median for a first ring (4,438)
Every upgrade buyers described
The price is what the replacement cost, in the buyer's own currency. What they did with the first ring - kept it, reset the stone, sold it - is in the account.
| Ring | Stone | Carat | Shape | Metal | Year | What the buyer reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | Diamond, lab or natural not said | – | – | – | 2023 | Jeweler quoted $1,500 to replace 4 synthetic rubies in an inherited heirloom ring with natural ones; not yet done, cost dispute with partner |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.52 ct | round | – | 2023 | Upgrade from her original 1.5 ct solitaire after 13.5 years of marriage and 22 years together; called it a steal but gave no price |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | – | round | – | 2024 | One of two diamonds ordered online for an upgrade from a 0.5ct stone; IGI report linked |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2 ct | – | – | – | Local jeweler showed the person asking this loose stone while deciding on an upgrade from a 0.75ct natural |
| – | Natural diamond | 1.24 ct | cushion | yellow gold | 2024 | Antique (1920s or earlier) hand-cut old mine cut champagne diamond upgrade ring in 18k gold; price not stated; replaced her original engagement ring |
| – | Natural diamond | 1.02 ct | princess | – | 2024 | Center-stone upgrade only, reset into existing setting free under warranty; stone looked yellow despite its grade. |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.23 ct | pear | – | 2025 | 10-year center-stone upgrade from a 1.1ct lab diamond, bought secondhand from a private seller. |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.5 ct | cushion | – | 2025 | Price-matched a 2.5ct lab cushion diamond to a competing online lab vendor (Luvansh), dropping the stone from $1,500 to $500 at a local jeweler; upgraded from an 8-year-old 1ct mined diamond with a halo |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 1.06 ct | – | – | 2025 | Labor-only quote to reset a loose lab diamond into an existing halo setting and fuse in an enhancer band; materials not included |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 4.17 ct | cushion | rose gold | 2025 | Upgrade from a 1.3ct E VVS2 round brilliant to a 4.17ct E VVS2 brilliant cushion in a rose gold hidden halo; no price given; also wears a rose gold moissanite wedding band bought earlier |
| – | Diamond, lab or natural not said | 3.22 ct | oval | – | 2025 | French pave band, petite pave basket setting; husband surprised her with this upgrade to her original engagement ring for their anniversary; no price given |
| – | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | – | 2025 | Quote to upgrade her current diamond; community said this H VS1 stone's cut was poor |
| – | Natural diamond | 1.07 ct | – | – | 2025 | Leaning toward this option for its cut; has strong blue fluorescence and a slightly elevated crown angle but rated better than the H stone |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 5 ct | oval | – | 2025 | 5ct G VS1 lab oval diamond upgrade, ratio 1.58 (15.02x9.5mm), one carat symbolizing each of 5 children; worn only when going out, not daily; no price stated |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.45 ct | oval | – | 2025 | Husband surprised her for their 15th anniversary with a 2.45ct oval lab-grown solitaire, a big step up from her original ring; price not stated, only said to cost less than a car. |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 4.05 ct | marquise | gold | 2025 | Ordered a 4.05ct G VS1 marquise (2.03 ratio, IGI-certified) from Brilliant Earth for a 5th-anniversary upgrade ring on a simple gold solitaire setting; exchanged an earlier stone with a dark bow tie for this one; price n |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 4.97 ct | – | – | 2025 | Upgraded to a 4.97ct E VS1 stone (13.89x9.60mm) after 10 years together; no price stated |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 4 ct | – | yellow gold | 2025 | Trade-in quote for a 4ct lab-grown upgrade plus a new band after trading in the original ring; couple values the lifetime warranty. |
| – | Diamond, lab or natural not said | 4 ct | – | platinum | 2025 | Platinum bridal set with a 4-carat center stone bought online as a 10th-anniversary upgrade; band cracked in two spots and a side stone fell out within a month |
| – | Lab-created coloured stone | – | oval | – | – | Pink lab sapphire quoted to replace the aquamarine center stone in her existing ring; unusual 'firework' cut |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 3.5 ct | – | yellow gold | 2025 | 3.5ct F VVS2 lab diamond price-matched via RareCarat, yellow gold band with white gold prongs; no price stated; band later remade thicker by a local Charlotte jeweler for feeling too thin |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 4 ct | oval | – | 2025 | Upgraded to a 4ct oval lab diamond on a size 3.5 finger; no price stated; leaning toward resizing down to about 2.75-3ct after feedback it looked too big |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 4 ct | round | – | – | Loose-stone quote being considered as a replacement/upgrade after the theft; not yet bought |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 4 ct | round | – | 2025 | Loose stone quote for a possible upgrade replacement after the original rings were stolen |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | Quote for setting labor only, on top of the setting's own price; includes lifetime warranty, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning. |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2 ct | round | – | – | Considering a 2ct upgrade using full trade-in credit from the original 1503 stone; not yet bought, still deciding vs the 1.5ct |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 1.5 ct | round | – | – | The person asking said the 1.5ct upgrade option cost about a third of the 2ct's roughly 1500 net price after trade-in credit |
| – | Moissanite | – | – | – | 2026 | Custom upgrade from a small online moissanite seller; ordered a 10ct-labeled center (16x12mm) plus matching topaz band; no price disclosed |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 3.03 ct | marquise | yellow gold | 2026 | 5-year anniversary upgrade, one carat symbolizing each of 2 living kids plus 1 angel baby; no price given |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 5.01 ct | radiant | yellow gold | 2026 | Upgrading engagement ring around the 8-year mark; loose Crisscut stone bought online, setting custom made locally in yellow 14k with a 5mm cathedral band |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.5 ct | – | – | 2026 | Quote to replace the diamond in an existing ring from a UK seller, weighing whether to import from China instead |
| – | Diamond, lab or natural not said | 3.71 ct | cushion | yellow gold | 2026 | 14k yellow gold cathedral solitaire, 3.71ct antique cushion; band was 1.8mm not the agreed 2.0mm; jeweler quoted $950 extra to remake at 2.2mm instead. |
| – | Natural diamond | 1.01 ct | – | – | – | Upgraded to this Tiffany ring after good service; loves setting and stone; no price stated |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.79 ct | oval | – | – | Switched from moissanite (tried three stones) to this lab diamond bought through a wholesaler; exact price not given, partner paid with writer chipping in |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 1 ct | – | – | – | Upgraded from a half-carat cluster stone; jeweler reset a new stone bought online, described as super ideal cut |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.52 ct | – | – | 2022 | In-store upgrade with an old stone traded toward it; ideal-cut triple-excellent lab diamond, more than the initial $12000 mount-included budget |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 1 ct | – | – | – | Larger focal stone bought and reset into the original ring; $500 reset labor; total across both purchases about $5,400 |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 3.26 ct | – | – | – | Bought a 3.26ct F VS1 lab diamond as an upgrade stone, about $3,000 cheaper than a comparable stone at Brilliance.com |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.1 ct | – | – | – | Traded a 1.1ct diamond engagement ring for a 2.1ct lab diamond, paying $1,500 more to upgrade |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 1.17 ct | – | – | 2020 | The asker's coworker paid his store's employee price to upgrade his wife's center stone, roughly 3-4 years before this 2023 comment |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | Upgraded later by adding about two grand more; not a major financial hit given the couple's income at the time |
| – | – | – | – | – | 2003 | Paid extra to upgrade the ring's setting shortly before the wedding |
| – | Natural diamond | 2.5 ct | – | – | 2023 | Husband spent $29,000 to upgrade her mined diamond from a 1.4ct H SI1 to a 2.5ct G SI1 for their 25th anniversary; chose natural over cheaper lab options as a personal preference |
| – | Diamond, lab or natural not said | – | – | gold | 2023 | Upgrade this year to an 18k gold ring-and-band set with small diamond clusters shaped like a solitaire, from Dutch chain Lucardi. |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 1.8 ct | – | – | 2020 | Traded in the original ring at its purchase price plus this extra amount for a bigger lab diamond |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.09 ct | emerald | – | 2023 | Bought a loose emerald-cut lab diamond from an estate-sale website, sight unseen, to replace the 2ct moissanite in her engagement ring on their next anniversary |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 1.81 ct | – | – | 2024 | Paid for a 1.81ct CVD lab diamond at a local jeweler to replace a 0.5ct stone in her existing ring; jeweler modifying the setting to fit it |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 4 ct | cushion | platinum | 2024 | 18-year wedding ring upgrade; price is for the 4ct elongated cushion stone alone, a custom platinum three-stone setting with 1ct cushion side stones priced separately and not stated |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | – | – | – | – | Loose lab diamond bought on an online estate-sale site to upgrade from her original moissanite engagement ring |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 1.72 ct | oval | – | 2024 | Loose stone bought to replace a moissanite after local jewelers wouldn't reset it; RareCarat price-matched a cheaper listing |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 4.7 ct | round | rose gold | 2024 | 10-year anniversary upgrade to a roughly 4.7ct round diamond described as a bit off-color, set in rose gold to complement it. |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2 ct | cushion | – | 2024 | Upgraded from an original 0.75ct princess-cut stone to a 2ct square cushion cut; also upgraded her wedding band afterward since the old dainty band no longer matched. |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 4.7 ct | – | platinum | 2024 | 20th-anniversary upgrade to a 4.7 ct lab diamond in a new platinum setting; traded in the old ring and other jewelry so net cost was zero |
| – | Moissanite | – | – | gold | 2023 | 3mm moissanite infinity wedding band upgrade in solid 10k gold from kuololit (AliExpress), held up well with daily wear |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.3 ct | round | – | 2024 | Upgrade purchase; total covers the ring and a matching wedding band together |
| – | Diamond, lab or natural not said | 6.08 ct | emerald | – | – | Upgraded later in life to a larger emerald cut that she feels suits her better now; no price given. |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.2 ct | pear | – | 2024 | Loose lab pear stone bought to replace an 8-year-old moissanite in the same setting; Rare Carat listed the same spec over $4k |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | Married in 2022 with inexpensive silver bands; later saved up and spent $1,200 on a nicer ring set for his wife while still saving for his own ring |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 5.06 ct | pear | gold | – | Upsized a 2.08ct pear to 5.06ct timed to their anniversary date; writer recalled paying $1,300 or $1,400; band remade from mother's old gold with sapphire and diamond eternity rows |
| – | Natural diamond | 2.5 ct | – | – | 2024 | Quote to trade in current I/SI1 diamond plus $4k cash to go up a carat to this L/SI2 stone; still undecided |
| – | Moissanite | – | radiant | – | – | Self-bought upgrade stone, no price given; her husband first mistook it for a real diamond |
| – | – | – | – | platinum | 2024 | Cost of a new head/prongs made on an existing setting in platinum to hold a replacement stone; platinum work costs more than gold |
| – | Natural diamond | 1.2 ct | princess | – | 2024 | Also upgraded her center stone through Jared; paid the same amount as the asker's husband for a similar-spec stone. |
| – | Natural diamond | 2.5 ct | – | – | 2024 | Loose 2.5 ct I VVS1 IGI stone quoted for a wife's ring upgrade; passed after buyers said the cut wasn't ideal despite the listing's claim, citing a large table, high pavilion angle and flat crown |
| – | Natural diamond | 2.5 ct | round | – | – | Stone listed on RareCarat for a surprise ring upgrade, still deciding whether to buy; a new setting would be bought separately |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.7 ct | – | – | 2024 | Near-perfect lab stone bought online to reset into her original ring's setting |
| – | Natural diamond | 2.71 ct | round | – | 2025 | Loose stone listed on RareCarat for a surprise ring upgrade; new 18k YG setting planned separately; the person asking passed after K/SI2 looked too warm |
| – | Natural diamond | 2.6 ct | round | – | 2025 | Loose stone meant for a new 18k yellow-gold setting, paid about half of an ~$18k budget; later returned after feedback about brownish tint and haze |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | Paid to set a new stone into their original engagement ring; new prongs needed to fit it |
| – | – | – | – | platinum | – | Old setting needed a new prong head to fit the new diamond; platinum made it more expensive; writer expects a plain setting job to cost less |
| – | – | 1.09 ct | – | – | – | Needed new prongs since the diamond size increased from 0.71 to 1.09 carat |
| – | Diamond, lab or natural not said | 3.02 ct | cushion | – | – | Current stone; diamond alone cost 18k and appraised well above that |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 1.8 ct | round | – | – | Upgraded 5 years later to a lab diamond from the same Chinese vendor; $302 plus $64 shipping, listed E/VVS2/ideal cut, also marked 'EX' |
| – | Lab-created coloured stone | – | – | – | – | Bridal set with a lab-grown ruby and moissanite, from a trusted repeat jeweller |
| – | Diamond, lab or natural not said | 1.8 ct | – | – | – | Upgraded to a 1.8ct stone on a size 4 finger; original stone size not given; no price given |
| – | Diamond, lab or natural not said | 5.14 ct | oval | – | – | Upgraded to a 5.14ct oval on a size 6 finger for more finger coverage; no price given |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.8 ct | – | gold | 2025 | 40th-anniversary upgrade; custom 14k setting with lab diamond plus matching wedding band, all together |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 4.2 ct | emerald | – | – | 4.2ct emerald-cut lab diamond sourced from Art of Jewels for a 20th-anniversary upgrade; a local jeweler custom-made and mounted the setting; no price stated |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | New setting reusing the lab diamond from her first ring. |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.1 ct | – | – | 2025 | Cost to upgrade from a 1ct to a 2.1ct lab diamond, reusing the original band |
| – | Natural diamond | 0.75 ct | – | – | – | Natural diamond upgrade bought some years after her original 2010 ring; writer calls it cheap compared to other options she saw |
| – | – | – | – | platinum | 2025 | Upgraded band with diamonds added about 15 years after the original; he wears it every day |
| – | – | – | – | yellow gold | 2025 | Negotiated down a vintage 8mm 7g 10k gold cigar band at an antique mall; now worn daily |
| – | Natural diamond | 3 ct | – | – | 2023 | Quoted for a natural 3ct diamond size upgrade about 2-3 years before the comment; did not go through with it |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 3 ct | – | – | 2023 | Same jeweler said a lab-grown 3ct equivalent would run about $20,000 to $25,000, only slightly less than natural |
| – | – | – | – | two tone | 2025 | Substantial 14k white-and-yellow gold band with a sculptural scroll design, bought secondhand |
| – | – | – | – | other | 2025 | Upgraded to higher-quality sterling silver |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 3 ct | pear | – | – | Upgraded to a 3ct pear-shaped diamond; no price stated |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 4.66 ct | – | yellow gold | 2025 | 4.66ct F VVS2 diamond price-matched via Rare Carat, 18k yellow gold band with white gold petite prongs and a hidden halo; not yet received, no price stated |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | Upgraded to a $10,000 diamond, paid $5,000 more on top of the original purchase; now a widow, still wears it |
| – | Diamond, lab or natural not said | 4.01 ct | – | platinum | – | 4.01ct F VVS2 diamond in a platinum halo setting; her upgrade ring, rarely worn day to day; no price stated |
| – | – | 3 ct | round | gold | 2025 | Flat setting fee only, a few months before the comment; 14k gold six-prong solitaire setting with gallery rail |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | An upgrade sold as a set but itemized individually on the receipt, totaling this amount |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.7 ct | pear | – | – | Entire wedding set (upgrade ring plus band) spent under $1800 |
| – | Natural diamond | 0.3 ct | – | – | 2023 | Secondhand wedding set bought after wearing an heirloom ring at the wedding; 7/8 ct tw natural diamond set with a 0.3 ct center, described as a $3,000 set bought for $900; later upgraded again |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 5.02 ct | – | – | 2025 | Replaced a smaller Rare Carat set with a 5.02ct lab ring + lab eternity band; about half Rare Carat price, 3x carats; IGI cert; eBay seller. |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 3.55 ct | oval | – | 2025 | Loose oval lab stone bought as an upgrade from a 1.7ct ring; $790 before tax, ~$860 after; picked vendor by comparing about 6 stones with ChatGPT |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 3.05 ct | marquise | – | – | Wedding set upgrade; wanted 4ct but limited by finger width (about 15mm max) so sized down to 3.05ct set east-west |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 4 ct | – | – | – | Latest in a series of carat upgrades over more than 40 years of marriage (band, then roughly 1ct, 2.5ct, 3.5ct, now just over 4ct); plans to stick with this size |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 0.45 ct | round | – | 2026 | Lab diamond upgrade stone set into a ring that came from her grandmother |
| – | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | 10th-anniversary upgrade diamond bought early 1990s via a friend's family store, priced 22K; now valued near 2K; happy but would pick lab today |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 5 ct | – | – | – | Swapped a 4.7-carat radiant moissanite for a 5-carat lab diamond of similar dimensions at a local jeweler |
| – | Other gemstone | – | – | – | – | Wore a cubic zirconia placeholder center stone for years before upgrading; setting alone cost $6k |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 0.85 ct | – | – | 2024 | PHP; center stone upgraded to a 0.85ct lab diamond three years after the original ring |
| – | – | – | – | platinum | – | Second platinum wedding band added several years after the first |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.59 ct | other | – | – | Upgraded from a natural .72ct oval worn 10 years to a 2.59ct elongated-hexagon step-cut lab stone; preferred saving $30-50k vs mined |
| – | Natural diamond | 2.55 ct | – | – | 2024 | Writer's wife's upgrade diamond, an ideal-cut J-IF stone, given as a benchmark for typical J-color ideal-cut pricing |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | Fee to swap in a new center stone while keeping the original tri-gold setting and hidden halo |
| – | – | – | – | – | 1988 | Spent on a diamond five years after the wedding, described as bought on top of the original band |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 3 ct | marquise | – | 2026 | Newer marquise solitaire plus a new eternity wedding band bought together, a decade after the original ring |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 5 ct | cushion | – | – | Husband chose and paid for a 5 ct cushion lab-grown upgrade at their 10-year mark, replacing her original under-1-carat stone; no price given |
| – | Diamond, lab or natural not said | 3.5 ct | cushion | – | 2026 | Diamond alone, without setting; described as an elongated old-mine cushion cut of incredible quality |
| – | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | – | 1991 | At their 5th anniversary the stone was upgraded to a high-quality 1 ct for 1000; no trade-in mentioned |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2 ct | oval | – | 2026 | Brought her own loose 2ct lab oval to Shane Co for a custom peg-crown mounting, paid for via trading in an old ring rather than cash |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 3.02 ct | marquise | – | 2025 | OMC-style marquise lab diamond bought as an engagement ring upgrade, roughly $900 for the stone |
| – | – | 4 ct | – | – | – | Local Zales quoted $3,000 to upgrade wife's ring up to a 4ct stone |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | Later upgraded to custom tungsten bands with opal flakes and meteorite chips |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2 ct | – | – | – | Much lower price per carat than the original suggests a lab-grown stone, not stated outright |
| – | Moissanite | – | – | – | – | Later upgraded to a bigger moissanite by choice; no price given |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.5 ct | oval | – | 2025 | Fiance surprised her by remaking the same ring setting with a larger lab-grown oval diamond; she says she's much happier |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 1.19 ct | – | – | – | Upgraded her ring's center stone from a simulant to this lab-grown diamond; price described as notably lower than a mined diamond this size, no exact figure given |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 3 ct | – | – | 2022 | Combined price for two 3ct lab stones (one plus a 3ct pear) bought together, several thousand less than the $20k natural quote she compared against |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.76 ct | – | – | 2022 | Surprise upgrade to a 2.76ct D VS2 IGI lab diamond bought for $4,400 last September; similar stones now cheaper. |
| – | Natural diamond | 2.03 ct | round | – | 2023 | Budget stated as under $25K for a diamond upgrade; settled on a 2.03ct H VVS2 excellent-cut round from Blue Nile with a new 4-prong solitaire setting, no exact price stated |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 4.03 ct | round | – | 2023 | Ordered with a 20 percent discount code as a whiter replacement stone; price not stated |
| – | Natural diamond | 2.01 ct | round | – | 2024 | Bought after viewing in person at Adiamor's LA showroom; a matching stone (same GIA report) was listed at James Allen for about $30k, but no price she paid is stated; a custom setting was being made |
| – | Natural diamond | 2.07 ct | round | rose gold | 2024 | Switched to a Whiteflash A Cut Above hearts-and-arrows super-ideal cut diamond in a custom 18k rose gold bypass/over-under halo, replacing the Adiamor stone; no price stated; graded by AGS |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 3.2 ct | – | – | 2024 | Stone-only price for a 3.2ct F VS1 IGI hearts-and-arrows lab diamond bought as a surprise upgrade gift; buyers noted some graining and a grayish-brownish tint |
| – | – | – | – | – | 2022 | Upgraded through Good Old Gold's own AVR, Solasfera and AVC cut stones over time while exploring a three-stone setting with rep Lynda; no price given |
| – | Natural diamond | 1.57 ct | round | – | 2010 | Stone from an upgrade done through Good Old Gold about 14 years before this 2024 post; no price given |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.16 ct | round | two tone | 2024 | Upgrade from a 1996 0.70ct natural stone; kept a larger HPHT lab stone over a smaller E VVS2 rival; custom jeweler set it in yellow/white gold hidden-halo. |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 4 ct | – | – | – | Paid in full in advance for a 4ct diamond upgrade and Tiffany-style replica setting from an unnamed premium custom jeweler (bench claims Tiffany/Harry Winston experience) charging 35-70% more than other quotes; happy wit |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | – | round | – | – | Upgraded from an imperfect natural diamond to a larger, well-cut lab diamond recommended by a forum contact; buyer finds the new stone goes darker in bright and low light than she expected; no price given |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.03 ct | asscher | – | 2024 | Listed as Super Ideal Make on Brilliance; replaced buyer's current 1ct stone; no price given |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 1.88 ct | round | – | – | One of three lab diamonds ordered for side-by-side comparison before choosing a final upgrade stone; arrived but felt too similar in size to her old 1.09ct |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.11 ct | round | – | – | Second of three comparison stones bought alongside the 1.88ct and the eventual 2.56ct pick |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.56 ct | round | – | – | Final upgrade stone chosen over a pricier ~$2k alternative for the bigger size; exact price not stated, described as less precisely cut but a great deal |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 3.05 ct | – | – | 2024 | Quote for one of two ~3ct D VVS1-VVS2 excellent-cut lab diamonds (HPHT or CVD), same price for both, to upgrade his wife's ring; no final pick stated |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.51 ct | round | – | 2024 | Traded in her natural 1.12ct diamond ring, wedding band, an empty Tacori setting and scrap gold at a 75-year local family jeweler for a 2.51ct F VS1 ideal-cut lab tulip solitaire; the trade-in exactly covered the new rin |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.51 ct | – | – | 2024 | Traded in old stone, setting and band for full credit; new lab stone, setting and plain band cost this with nothing paid out of pocket |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.51 ct | – | – | 2024 | Tulip 6-prong solitaire with plain band, traded in her original mined halo ring which covered the entire $3,500 cost |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | – | round | – | 2024 | Upgraded from a natural 1.2ct I/SI1 diamond to an IGI-certified F color lab-grown round H&A stone, bought for about a quarter of what a branded Whiteflash stone would have cost; setting done separately by a custom jewele |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.84 ct | round | yellow gold | 2025 | Ordered as an e-ring upgrade; price inferred from writer choosing this over a just-over-3ct option at $2,170 that was $470 more |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | – | – | – | 2025 | 2-2.2ct DEF VS2-or-better IGI ideal round found as an upgrade stone, listed under $900 at Calavera and also under $975 at LooseGrownDiamond; the person asking capped her upgrade budget at $1,500 rather than pay for a pri |
| – | Natural diamond | 3.06 ct | cushion | two tone | 2025 | Elongated antique diamond bought loose via Instagram, then set with 0.86ct custom french-cut side stones, hand engraving and milgrain; price not stated; replaces her inherited three-stone anniversary ring |
| – | Diamond, lab or natural not said | 2 ct | round | – | 2026 | Tested a 3 ct look with a cubic zirconia stand-in, found it too big, and settled on buying a 2 ct round diamond instead; no price stated |
| – | – | – | – | – | 2026 | Quoted $1 more to upgrade her ACA at Whiteflash but would lose about $2,500 in trade-in credit versus her purchase price; she declined |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 3.2 ct | round | – | 2026 | 10th-anniversary upgrade stone another buyer found; arrived with a faint champagne/brown tint |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | – | round | – | 2026 | Bought a round Ideal-cut HPHT lab diamond upgrade for $374 via Rare Carat, who price-matched William & Sons; targeting 2-2.6ct D-G eye-clean. |
| – | – | – | – | yellow gold | 2026 | New intricate 18k setting made this year for about $3.5k as gold prices rose; stones bought separately |
| – | Lab-grown diamond | 2.76 ct | – | – | 2022 | Surprise HPHT-grown upgrade diamond for wife replacing her 1.69ct; small discount code applied; new setting made separately by a local jeweler |
| – | Natural diamond | 3.85 ct | round | – | 2023 | Custom-cut ACA quote to upgrade wife's 2.6ct for 10th anniversary; ~40% above a comparable non-ACA stone; trading in old stone; starts Jan 2024 |
| – | Natural diamond | 2.4 ct | round | – | 2024 | James Allen 'True Hearts' branded cut, put on hold as a possible upgrade using the lab stone's full trade-in credit; budget $14,300-$16,000; decided to wait rather than buy |
| – | Natural diamond | 1.4 ct | – | – | 2025 | Traded in a .91ct diamond bought in 2015 for a 1.40ct with the same cut specs but slightly lower color, paying $600 more under the store's upgrade policy |
| – | Natural diamond | 1.22 ct | round | – | 2022 | Current trade-in quote to upgrade her diamond before the jeweler closes for good; total into the stone would reach about $11,000 |
| $89 | Moissanite | – | – | – | 2023 | Husband agreed she could pick her own upgrade ring; this moissanite ring was ordered and awaiting delivery |
| $200 | Diamond, lab or natural not said | – | – | – | – | Second ring from a chain jewelry store, still loved and being resized for the right hand; later got a 2ct moissanite as a 15-year upgrade (price not given) |
| £300 | – | – | – | – | – | Later remade with real stones and better metal, at most this amount |
| $300 | Lab-created coloured stone | – | – | gold | 2023 | Lab alexandrite engagement ring; upgrade wedding set after 34 years of marriage, all from Etsy; a third 'top band' with moissanite cost $200 more |
| C$300 | – | – | – | – | – | Nicer replacement ring bought a few years after the first one; wife still has both |
| $300 | Lab-grown diamond | 1.23 ct | – | platinum | – | Calls it a deal of the century; plus about $150 more for sizing and polishing, separate from the ring price. |
| A$400 | – | – | – | – | – | Upgraded once home, to a ring she designed herself |
| $400 | Moissanite | – | – | – | – | Later upgraded to a similar-style 3ct moissanite ring, under $400, from msblue |
| $400 | No stone (plain band) | – | – | – | – | Replaced with a stoneless ring for practical reasons; cost more than original despite having no stone |
| $400 | – | – | – | – | – | Planned upgrade bought secondhand through Facebook Marketplace |
| $500 | – | – | – | white gold | – | Had the same stones reset into white gold a few years later for more durability |
| $550 | – | – | – | – | 2023 | 10-year anniversary upgrade set, both pieces from Etsy, replacing an even cheaper original set |
| $600 | Moissanite | – | pear | white gold | 2023 | Paid about $600 for a 'colorless' pear moissanite halo bridal set advertised as solid 10k white gold; the stone arrived yellow and the metal caused a skin reaction, so it was returned for a full refund |
| $650 | Lab-created coloured stone | – | – | white gold | 2023 | Same design ordered again in white gold as the primary engagement ring |
| $650 | Diamond, lab or natural not said | 3.5 ct | asscher | gold | – | 10th-anniversary upgrade ring, 18k gold with 3.5ct asscher stone; sale price was near $2,000, she paid $600 plus $50 for band customization |
| $700 | – | – | – | – | 2016 | Zales outlet ring tagged about 1500, bought on clearance plus Valentine's sales; she had been proposed to with a 50 dollar ring |
| $725 | Moissanite | – | – | – | 2025 | Upgrade from an original small diamond three-stone ring; custom whiskey-brown 3ct moissanite in a Georgian cut-down setting, stated as 700-750 usd |
| $750 | Lab-grown diamond | 1.01 ct | asscher | platinum | 2024 | Bought as an anniversary upgrade ring after 20 years of marriage; platinum bezel setting |
| $770 | Lab-grown diamond | 1.4 ct | – | – | 2023 | A good deal at the time, before later moving to a bigger lab stone; had tried several unsatisfying moissanite rings first |
| $790 | Lab-grown diamond | 2 ct | round | gold | 2025 | Upgraded mom's 36-year-old ring; kept the original 6mm 22k gold band, new basket built for a 2ct D VS1 hearts-and-arrows lab diamond; plus $50 shipping and tariffs on the stone |
| $799 | Diamond, lab or natural not said | – | – | – | – | Forever ring years later: a smaller prior-year design marked $2,800, bought for $799 at a store going out of business |
| $800 | Moissanite | – | – | gold | – | Custom 3ct-equivalent moissanite solitaire in 10k gold, hearts-and-arrows cut, made as an upgrade ring for the writer's mother |
| $800 | Lab-grown diamond | 2.09 ct | oval | yellow gold | – | Writer's own upgrade from moissanite to lab diamond for their anniversary, cathedral setting with plain band |
| $800 | Lab-grown diamond | 2 ct | round | – | 2026 | Upgrade for the writer's mum; old stone was about 6mm, new stone 8mm; local jeweler made a new head and set it |
| $850 | Moissanite | – | oval | – | – | Jeweler reset wedding ring with new 3ct oval moissanite center replacing a marquise, plus matching moissanite side stones |
| $865 | Lab-grown diamond | – | princess | – | 2023 | Upgraded from a small cluster of stones to a single princess-cut diamond; stone cost $670, local reset $195, under $900 all in |
| $900 | – | – | – | – | – | Replacement ring valued around $2k but bought for $900 during a major sale, right after he took an engineering job with a sign-on bonus |
| $900 | Lab-grown diamond | 1.04 ct | – | – | 2024 | $900 all-in for a 1.04ct IGI D VVS2 excellent-cut diamond with a 1.6mm band; upgraded from a big-box-store ring, more compliments in 2 months than in 2 years with the old one |
| A$990 | – | 0.26 ct | round | gold | 2023 | Art deco vintage style upgrade ring, 18k gold with platinum milgrain bezel, bought 4 years after her original ring, after having a baby and doing better financially |
| $991 | Lab-grown diamond | 2.3 ct | – | white gold | – | Bought the loose lab stone separately then having it set locally; buying the whole thing from Provence would've been about $850 |
| $1,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 2.5 ct | – | – | – | Later upgraded to a 2.5 ct stone for under $1k, likely lab-grown given writer's regret about not having that option in 2002 |
| A$1,000 | Other gemstone | – | – | other | – | Groom's replacement ring, a design called sanguinius in silver and gold with a ruby and filigree |
| $1,000 | – | – | – | – | 2025 | Upgrade ring from an Etsy seller, exact price unknown but under $1,000 |
| $1,000 | Moissanite | – | – | – | 2025 | Recently upgraded to a 3ct moissanite ring for under $1000 |
| $1,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 2 ct | – | – | 2024 | Upgrade bought in-store at a steep markup vs online prices |
| $1,100 | – | – | – | – | – | Nicer ring bought a couple of years after the first |
| $1,100 | Lab-grown diamond | 3 ct | pear | – | – | Most recent upgrade, price covers diamond and setting together |
| $1,100 | Lab-grown diamond | 2 ct | round | – | 2025 | A recent lab-grown replacement stone graded ideal across the board by AGS, costing about one-tenth of her original natural diamond |
| $1,151 | Lab-grown diamond | 2.08 ct | – | – | – | Upgraded from a 1.5ct cz to this lab stone and reset it into her existing ring |
| $1,200 | Diamond, lab or natural not said | – | – | – | 2021 | Second ring for the same wife, under 1 ct yet better looking; store not named (discussion context points to Costco) |
| $1,200 | Natural diamond | 0.75 ct | – | – | – | Used Kay Jewelers' trade-in program to lower the net cost; suggests comparing local and online jewelers too, since chain prices ran high |
| $1,200 | Lab-grown diamond | – | – | – | – | Upgraded to a lab diamond a few years after the original moissanite ring |
| $1,250 | – | – | – | – | 2026 | Husband surprised her with a nicer ring this year to make up for the original modest one |
| $1,250 | Lab-grown diamond | 2.75 ct | round | white gold | 2023 | Bought online in 2023 for about the same price as the 2017 setting alone; kept the original ring for sentimental value |
| C$1,300 | Lab-grown diamond | 2 ct | – | white gold | 2026 | Fancy blue lab diamond upgrade ring, replacing the original natural pear-cut ring |
| C$1,300 | Lab-grown diamond | 2 ct | – | gold | 2025 | A blue lab diamond in 14k gold |
| C$1,300 | Lab-grown diamond | 2 ct | – | white gold | 2025 | 2ct blue lab diamond solitaire in 14k white gold, upgrade bought from an overseas vendor the year before the comment |
| $1,300 | Lab-grown diamond | 4.02 ct | radiant | – | 2026 | Upgraded from a pear-shaped stone to an elongated radiant; ordered but not yet received; chose SI1 to stay near budget |
| $1,333 | Lab-grown diamond | 2.99 ct | radiant | – | – | Wife's upgrade ring, 2.99ct radiant with a 1.45 ratio, price-matched via Rare Carat into their tulip-basket solitaire setting, all-in price |
| $1,333 | Lab-grown diamond | 3 ct | radiant | – | 2025 | Just-completed upgrade to a 3ct lab radiant, replacing the natural cushion above |
| $1,333 | Lab-grown diamond | 3 ct | radiant | – | 2025 | Ring bought for his wife's upgrade |
| $1,355 | Lab-grown diamond | 2.19 ct | – | platinum | 2025 | Second husband's ring; fancy intense blue stone with top-grade symmetry and polish, bought decades after her first ring |
| $1,400 | Lab-grown diamond | 2.9 ct | round | yellow gold | 2025 | Upgrade ring: $640 14k yellow-gold Etsy solitaire setting plus $389 for a 2.9ct round lab diamond plus $200 setting fee, about $1400 total with tax |
| $1,450 | Lab-grown diamond | 2.75 ct | round | – | 2024 | 2.75ct round lab diamond, Triple Excellent grading, set in a 14kt white gold six-claw prong setting; kept the 2019 natural ring for sentiment |
| $1,450 | Lab-grown diamond | 1.7 ct | emerald | gold | – | 10-year upgrade custom ring; minor-inclusion lab stone bought at a local gem and mineral show; original ring was a pearl |
| $1,500 | Lab-grown diamond | – | emerald | yellow gold | – | Simple solid yellow gold band with a single emerald-cut lab diamond, made after the proposal |
| $1,500 | – | – | – | – | 2024 | Upgrade bought late last year; declined a 7k ring he offered; household income about 250k/year |
| $1,500 | – | – | – | – | – | Second ring, a Zales set bought on sale a few years later |
| $1,500 | Lab-grown diamond | – | – | – | – | Upgrade ring made by a custom jeweler in China, appraised at over $10k in the US market |
| $1,500 | – | – | – | – | – | Upgraded about 4 years after the original ring |
| $1,500 | – | – | – | white gold | – | White gold cathedral setting upgrade, about 4mm wide, price uncertain ('maybe') |
| $1,500 | Lab-grown diamond | – | – | – | 2026 | Lab diamond upgrade ring after years of hinting to her husband; only $500 more than he originally spent |
| $1,514 | Lab-grown diamond | 2.86 ct | radiant | – | 2025 | Lab radiant solitaire upgrade bought online with a $100-off discount on orders over $1,000; found the vendor through a lab diamond group and called it one of the more affordable labs she compared. |
| $1,600 | Lab-grown diamond | 1 ct | – | – | 2024 | 3-stone upgrade ring, 1ct lab-grown center plus two 0.5ct side stones, replacing the original opal ring after 7 years |
| $1,600 | Lab-grown diamond | 2.89 ct | princess | – | 2025 | Price-matched to Luvanash; setting was on sale; exchanged from an earlier 2.15ct stone with 1.6mm band for just $37 more before Luvanash raised prices |
| $1,600 | Lab-grown diamond | 1.5 ct | – | – | – | Upgraded to about 2.5 ctw lab ring with a 1.5-ct center; jeweler built it for less than the 4000 retail price of a similar Jared ring, with higher-quality stones |
| $1,675 | Lab-grown diamond | 1.7 ct | oval | white gold | 2026 | 6-prong tulip cathedral setting; bought online as an upgrade ring |
| $1,700 | Lab-grown diamond | 2.6 ct | radiant | – | – | Replacement lab diamond ring with a 1/4ct pave band, bought with the same 30% discount as her first ring |
| $1,700 | Lab-grown diamond | 2.65 ct | cushion | platinum | 2024 | Custom art-deco setting; upgrade from an earlier moissanite ring for a 40th birthday |
| $1,700 | Lab-grown diamond | – | – | – | 2025 | Lab stone bought via an online auction with a simple custom setting; would rather keep the rest of a big budget for other things |
| $1,700 | – | 1 ct | princess | – | 2025 | Trade-up princess-cut solitaire bought recently at Reeds Jewelers |
| $1,785 | Lab-grown diamond | 3.27 ct | pear | white gold | 2025 | $1785 for a 3.27ct D VS1 triple-excellent elongated pear lab diamond, custom made in 14k white gold, plus $50 import duties; replaced an earlier inexpensive Amazon proposal ring |
| $1,900 | Lab-grown diamond | 2.11 ct | round | white gold | – | Went custom instead of the jeweler's $10k quote; halo with side stones and matching band, still being made |
| $2,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 3 ct | cushion | yellow gold | 2026 | 3ct OMC elongated cushion lab diamond (9.5x7.6mm) in more durable 10k yellow gold via a Provence group order; paid less than the $2000 spent on her original moissanite ring. |
| £2,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Husband upgraded the ring a few years later as an anniversary gift |
| $2,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Traded in the original $1k Kay ring for full $1k credit toward this $2k replacement ring with a diamond, paying the remaining $1k |
| $2,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 2 ct | cushion | – | 2024 | 20-year anniversary upgrade to an elongated 2ct cushion-cut diamond from a local North Jersey jeweler; original heirloom ring kept to alternate wearing. |
| $2,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 2 ct | cushion | – | – | 20th-anniversary upgrade from a 0.80ct natural solitaire bought in 1999; a natural equivalent would run about $18,000 |
| $2,000 | – | – | – | platinum | – | Third ring, described as 'a couple grand,' a vintage platinum art deco piece |
| C$2,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 2.91 ct | cushion | yellow gold | 2024 | A little over $2,000 for an elongated cushion lab diamond, price includes the 14k yellow gold cathedral setting |
| $2,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Upgraded a few years after the original $800 ring; husband now makes $18-20k a month |
| $2,000 | Lab-grown diamond | – | – | – | – | A newer custom lab diamond ring currently in progress; the diamond alone cost $300 |
| $2,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 3.6 ct | – | gold | – | Upgraded from her natural 1.8ct ring; natural diamond prices said to be falling |
| $2,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 5.5 ct | cushion | gold | 2026 | Upgrade ring; elongated cushion on a 14kt cathedral solitaire band; price matched a stone found on Calavera; about 3 weeks turnaround |
| $2,000 | Lab-grown diamond | – | round | – | 2024 | Upgraded old 2.10ct stone to a GIA round LGD plus new prong head at IDJ, estimated under $2k; vendor briefly disputed price before honoring it |
| $2,000 | Lab-grown diamond | – | – | – | – | Upgraded to a lab stone about 1.5 carats bigger than her original mined stone, paid under $2,000 |
| $2,100 | Lab-grown diamond | 3.1 ct | cushion | gold | 2026 | Elongated cushion stone with small marquise diamond accents in a 14k gold setting |
| $2,200 | Lab-grown diamond | 2 ct | marquise | yellow gold | 2026 | Blair setting, 18k yellow gold, stone has a few inclusions by choice; includes 10% new-customer discount; ten-year anniversary upgrade. |
| $2,500 | Lab-grown diamond | 4 ct | emerald | – | – | 5-year upgrade bought secondhand from an online lab-diamond resale community; same ring priced locally at $10k retail |
| $2,500 | Lab-grown diamond | – | – | – | 2025 | Grand total after replacing the CZ center stone with a lab diamond |
| $2,500 | Lab-grown diamond | 1.5 ct | – | – | – | Upgraded 11.5 years in, caught a 35% off sale; carat is total weight (tw), not necessarily the center stone alone |
| $2,500 | – | – | – | – | 2020 | Found at Macy's on Black Friday 2020, listed near $10k marked 75% off; had wanted to cap spending under $3k |
| $2,500 | – | – | – | – | – | Setting upgrade with about 20 channel-set round diamonds, price uncertain ('maybe') |
| $2,600 | Lab-grown diamond | 3.02 ct | marquise | white gold | 2025 | 3.02ct lab marquise with 0.54ct pave, stone and 14k setting together; local jeweler custom-set it after ordering several center stones online |
| $2,600 | Lab-grown diamond | 5 ct | other | – | – | 15-year-anniversary upgrade, a rose-cut stone just over 5 carats, cost mostly labor; writer avoids mined diamonds after working in the jewelry industry |
| $2,700 | Lab-grown diamond | 4.1 ct | cushion | gold | 2025 | 50% bigger, higher-grade lab diamond replacing the 2020 natural ring; included an 18k gold band and a 30% sale discount |
| $3,000 | Diamond, lab or natural not said | – | – | – | 2023 | A friend had a jeweler add diamonds to his grandmother's heirloom ring to better suit his fiancee's taste, for about $3,000 total, keeping the ring in the family |
| $3,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 4.45 ct | – | – | 2024 | Upgraded ring bought via a lab-diamond marketplace; writer's original ring was natural |
| $3,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 5 ct | – | – | – | Years later, a much bigger lab stone at a lower price than the original |
| $3,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Husband upgraded the set years later, once they could really afford it |
| $3,000 | – | – | oval | – | 2025 | Upgraded from a pointy pear-cut ring that caught on gloves to a 3k oval; no stone type or clarity given |
| $3,000 | – | – | – | – | 2006 | Retired couple worth millions; upgraded her ring 20 years ago for about a tenth of 30k |
| $3,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | – | 2000 | About 20 years later she bought a 1 ct center with two side stones, one the old diamond, using Beanie Baby sale money |
| $3,000 | Lab-grown diamond | – | – | – | – | Husband upgraded her ring a year after the wedding; setting cost more than the lab diamond itself |
| $3,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 2.51 ct | – | white gold | 2024 | Upgraded from a smaller 20-year-old ring; 2.51ct F VS1 ideal-cut CVD lab diamond on a 14k white gold tulip setting, 2mm band |
| $3,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 5 ct | oval | platinum | – | 10-year anniversary upgrade ring; researched pricing in a lab diamond community first |
| $3,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 3 ct | – | gold | 2026 | Stone sourced from an online seller; local jeweler set it in 14k gold with pave diamond details for $1,800 |
| $3,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 2.5 ct | – | platinum | 2026 | Yellow lab stone added to original natural diamond ring; jeweler gave credit for the melted-down platinum from the old setting |
| $3,800 | Lab-grown diamond | 2.54 ct | oval | gold | 2026 | 40th-anniv. upgrade; IGI lab oval; setting by Gabriel & Co NY, 14K gold, 28 natural accent diamonds; later comment gives ~$1800/$2100 |
| $4,000 | Natural diamond | 1.4 ct | round | – | – | Vintage OEC cape diamond ring bought as a personal upgrade for nearly $4k; band sheared off within 3 weeks of daily wear |
| £4,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Includes a new wedding band needed after weight loss |
| $4,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Financed several years after the wedding; the diamond later fell out |
| $4,000 | Lab-grown diamond | – | – | – | – | Later upgraded to a lab-grown stone |
| $4,000 | Lab-grown diamond | – | – | – | 2026 | Upgrade as her hands changed before a second baby; the natural version was $40k, lab about a tenth; savings went to home upgrades |
| $4,000 | Lab-grown diamond | – | round | – | 2025 | Replaced first stone with a bigger one (3.57-3.77ct discussed) around a $4k budget via same diamond buyers online; had it set |
| $4,200 | – | 3 ct | oval | – | 2026 | Upgrade with an oval diamond band bought at a local jeweler; combined household income about $200k/year |
| $4,240 | Diamond, lab or natural not said | 5 ct | – | platinum | 2025 | 6.9 total carat weight: old European cut center plus two 0.97-0.98 ct side stones, hinged platinum setting; still being made |
| $4,500 | Lab-grown diamond | 5 ct | radiant | white gold | 2025 | Negotiated down from a $13,200 sticker price at an unnamed upscale local jeweler; bought to mark a 25th wedding anniversary |
| $4,600 | Natural diamond | 1.68 ct | – | – | 2022 | Same cluster/halo design as the asker's ring, bought as a wedding-ring upgrade; later appraised well above purchase price |
| $4,800 | Lab-grown diamond | 8 ct | – | platinum | 2024 | Self-bought 8ct lab-created diamond ring in platinum with a hidden diamond halo, a few weeks before this comment |
| $4,900 | Lab-grown diamond | 3.3 ct | cushion | – | 2024 | Ten-year upgrade, elongated cushion (1.3 ratio) lab stone plus setting and tax; kids' birthstones set inside the band. |
| $5,000 | Natural diamond | – | round | – | 2022 | Reset a just-under-1ct mined diamond with a new halo onto her original band, and repaired her late grandmother's inherited band as the new wedding band |
| $5,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Married without an engagement ring, bought one a year later, then upgraded; $5k is their combined total spent across both |
| €5,000 | – | 1.21 ct | cushion | – | – | Elongated triple-excellent cushion cut bought below market through a local GIA dealer before it hit the market, reset into the original ring after the first stone was found chipped |
| $5,000 | – | – | – | – | 2022 | Recent upgrade of both their rings; under a month of his current salary |
| A$5,000 | Lab-grown diamond | – | – | – | 2024 | Recently upgraded from the moissanite to a lab diamond |
| $5,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 4.5 ct | heart | – | – | Upgrade after 30+ years of marriage from a 1/4 ct natural marquise set bought in 1991; chose lab to keep the cost down. |
| A$5,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 1.5 ct | – | – | 2024 | Upgraded from a 1.5ct moissanite gift (price not given, received when combined income was about 200k) to a 1.5ct lab diamond now that household income is 500k |
| $5,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 3 ct | – | platinum | 2025 | Upgrade ring being made, roughly 3ct total weight, due in a few weeks |
| $5,000 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | – | – | – | Antique toi-et-moi style, 1.5 ct old mine cut diamond paired with a 2.2 ct deep teal sapphire |
| $5,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 5 ct | emerald | – | 2024 | Ten-year upgrade; jeweler first quoted $10k for the 5ct emerald HPHT stone, buyer negotiated down to $5k by citing a friend's lower price for a similar stone |
| $5,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 1.08 ct | round | rose gold | 2021 | 1.08ct G VVS2 lab old-European-cut round from Distinctive Gem, set in a custom 14k rose gold Zeghani 1199 halo with pave by a local jeweler; chose a ~$5,000 upgrade over a $10,000+ option |
| $5,000 | – | – | – | – | 2025 | Upgrade ring bought the year before the comment; notes gold and platinum prices have risen sharply since |
| $5,300 | Natural diamond | 1.9 ct | emerald | – | 2021 | Bought as an upgrade for herself in 2021; eye-clean, 8.4x5.76mm; now divorced and considering selling it |
| $5,310 | Diamond, lab or natural not said | 1.5 ct | oval | white gold | 2026 | Upgrade from a too-shallow oval; chose strong blue fluorescence on purpose for extra white sparkle; ideal-cut oval on a 14k white gold tapered solitaire, 2.3mm band |
| $5,490 | Lab-grown diamond | 11 ct | pear | two tone | 2026 | 11ct+ fancy intense pink lab pear from an online vendor; no sales tax since seller has no CA stores; took about 5 weeks start to finish |
| $5,500 | Lab-grown diamond | 4 ct | pear | – | 2024 | Quote from a private jeweller for a 4ct pear-shaped upgrade stone; considering VVS2 instead after seeing the price jump to VVS1 |
| $5,500 | Diamond, lab or natural not said | 1.63 ct | – | – | – | Bought a bigger stone years after an original smaller diamond-district ring because she always wished it were bigger |
| $5,500 | Lab-grown diamond | 2.09 ct | – | – | 2026 | Husband bought from a local jeweler rather than online despite likely being cheaper online |
| $5,600 | Lab-grown diamond | 4 ct | oval | – | – | Upgraded after a career change; household income now 700-800k/year, just paid off a 228k student loan |
| $5,750 | – | – | – | – | – | Upgrade 5.5-6k: pre-set center at a great price plus a setting bought on sale; appraised at 3 times the cost; first ring in 2000 was a cheap band |
| $5,800 | Natural diamond | 1.9 ct | emerald | – | – | Described as her first marriage's upgrade ring; measures 8.4 by 5.74mm |
| $6,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 7.42 ct | oval | yellow gold | 2026 | Paid about $6,000 total for a 7.42ct oval lab diamond ring, plus a $100 upcharge for a wider 2.5mm band; the same ring was listed for $13,000 elsewhere; her actual engagement ring was natural |
| $6,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 1.5 ct | – | – | – | Upgraded to a 1.5ct lab stone with pristine cut/color/clarity; natural equivalent estimated at $20k |
| $6,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Upgraded to a $6,000 setup before their 10th anniversary; she later lost it and he had to pay it off after the divorce |
| $6,700 | Lab-grown diamond | 4 ct | cushion | platinum | 2024 | 6-carat-total wedding anniversary upgrade: 4ct E VS1 elongated cushion center with two 1ct E VS1 elongated cushion side stones, platinum setting, bought remotely from NYC jeweler Harry at Delicate Gem |
| $7,000 | Diamond, lab or natural not said | – | – | – | – | Diamond ring bought as an upgrade four years into her marriage; she later felt it was eclipsed by a cheap moissanite ring bought out of curiosity. |
| $7,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 4 ct | cushion | platinum | 2024 | 18th-anniversary upgrade; lab elongated cushion custom-set into a platinum three-stone ring; diamond ~$3.5-4k, setting from $3.1k, total under $7k |
| $7,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Upgraded ring from husband; appraised for insurance at just over $11k |
| $7,000 | Lab-grown diamond | – | – | – | – | Real ring designed with her afterward with no budget limit; she chose lab; cost about one paycheck at age 29 |
| $7,350 | Natural diamond | 1.64 ct | – | – | – | Upgraded 10 years after the original ring to a fancy-color natural diamond with top specs; split the cost with her husband |
| $7,500 | – | – | – | – | – | Upgrade in progress, total estimated at 7-8k; her share covering the bespoke design, gold and ancillary stones is about 3.5-4k, while he buys the stone since she is the higher earner |
| $8,000 | Lab-grown diamond | – | – | – | – | Upgrade years later, mined to lab; half of the 4k first ring was credited in trade |
| £8,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Upgraded later once circumstances changed; both rings meant a lot |
| $8,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Upgraded for 15th anniversary; writer thinks the price roughly doubled from the original |
| $8,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 3.09 ct | oval | – | – | 29-year anniversary upgrade; mounting is Ashi Couture with 0.90ctw diamonds; separate 1-carat lab diamond band; total for everything $9,499 |
| $8,000 | – | – | – | – | – | She chose the upgrade; he says he would have gone as high as $20k |
| $8,000 | Lab-grown diamond | – | oval | platinum | 2025 | Upgrade bought the year before the comment: lab oval in platinum, maybe 8k by her estimate; couple close to retirement |
| $9,000 | Lab-grown diamond | – | – | – | 2022 | Upgraded from an original mined diamond to a lab diamond with better specs than before |
| £9,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Second ring bought on a US trip, doubling as part of a wedding-band set; worn on days off |
| $9,000 | – | – | – | – | 2024 | Setting changed last year, raising the total to a little over $9k |
| $9,000 | Diamond, lab or natural not said | 2.25 ct | – | – | – | Traded an original 0.10ct up to 1ct, sold that, then bought a 2.25ct ring for 9000 paid from her own savings from babysitting work |
| $9,950 | Lab-grown diamond | 2.5 ct | round | platinum | – | 2.5ct lab old-European cut stone ($6,600) in a platinum David Klass setting ($3,350), appraised by David Klass at $10,600; now reselling since lab prices dropped and she's upgrading to a 5ct stone |
| $10,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 2.7 ct | oval | two tone | 2022 | New 2nd set, platinum and yellow gold; writer says a natural equivalent would have run $20k+, so chose lab to get a bigger stone |
| $10,000 | – | 3.5 ct | round | platinum | 2023 | Platinum ring with round and baguette diamonds, 3.5ct total, upgrade about 2 years before the comment |
| $10,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Custom upgrade after nearly 20 years married; husband earns $190k/year |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Upgraded to a 10k ring over a decade before the comment; says she likely would not spend that much now, least of all on a natural stone |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | An upgrade received several years ago; an original ring from about 15 years earlier was very small and inexpensive, price not given |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | round | – | – | Quote from her usual jeweler to upgrade to a 2ct round while keeping her original princess-cut stone; not taken |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | round | – | 2026 | Quoted almost $10k for a mined 2ct round reset that used her sentimental original stone as trade-in; declined and went lab instead |
| A$10,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Estimated declared value for a Whiteflash upgrade diamond still being arranged; a hold on one candidate stone was later dropped over shipping-timeline uncertainty. |
| $10,000 | Diamond, lab or natural not said | – | – | – | – | The asker's real/current ring, per other comments confirming it as her actual engagement ring; she feels it's not worth $10k |
| $10,705 | Lab-grown diamond | 3.06 ct | cushion | – | 2026 | Quote only, never bought; price rose from $5,700 to $8,700 to a final itemized $10,705; deposit later refunded |
| $11,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Engagement ring upgrade, says it was worth every penny |
| $11,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Writer's current ring |
| $11,000 | Natural diamond | 1.78 ct | – | – | – | 10-year upgrade tagged 22k but bought for 11k over 25 years ago; loves it yet feels the money was better used elsewhere |
| $11,000 | – | 2 ct | round | platinum | 2026 | Marked down from $30k list; upgraded from a 1ct original stone, paid the difference; certified, no visible inclusions to the naked eye |
| $12,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Paid this after trade-in credit from a series of ring upgrades; household take-home is about $10k a month, partly from a VA payout |
| $12,000 | – | – | – | – | – | First ring bought in college, price not given; recent upgrade came to $12k all-in |
| $12,000 | – | – | – | – | 2000 | Writer's mother's upgraded ring |
| $12,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | – | – | 2000 | Writer's father bought her mother this upgrade ring in 2000 |
| $13,000 | Natural diamond | 4 ct | – | – | 2019 | Husband upgraded her original diamond to a 4ct earth-mined stone he got at a bargain, five years before this comment |
| $14,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 5 ct | asscher | – | 2024 | Friend's upgrade ring: a 3-stone asscher setting with 5ct center and 1ct total in side stones, upgraded from a 3ct lab asscher |
| $14,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Upgraded ten years after the original ring |
| $15,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Ten-year upgrade on a 600k household income; went natural only because the trade-in program required it |
| $15,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | round | – | 2009 | First upgrade, natural stone in a Vatche setting |
| $16,000 | Lab-grown diamond | – | – | – | – | Setting alone cost $12,000; a lab diamond was set in the center for now, bringing the total to $16,000, with plans to swap in a natural stone later |
| $17,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 4.02 ct | pear | – | 2025 | Jeweler quote incl. setting for an anniversary upgrade; comparing to loose stones from Ritani for less |
| $17,000 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | oval | – | 2024 | First upgrade, oval cut |
| $18,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 3.56 ct | – | – | – | Traded in a natural stone at a big box retailer for this lab diamond; regrets not using a small jeweler specializing in lab stones instead |
| $18,000 | Lab-grown diamond | 4 ct | oval | – | – | Oval solitaire plus two 0.5ct trilliants, small melee, and a custom hinged shank; total ended up close to the original ring's cost after the trade-in credit |
| $19,000 | Natural diamond | 1.9 ct | – | – | 2009 | Upgrade diamond bought years ago after the original stone was reset into a pendant |
| $20,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Upgrade gift after a baby and a house; about 20k in total, roughly 6% of household income |
| $20,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Second upgrade bought from a pawn shop, far cheaper than retail; appraised replacement value was $65k |
| $20,000 | Lab-grown diamond | – | – | – | – | Upgraded engagement ring with a lab diamond back when lab diamonds were still new; paid close to $20k |
| 20,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Third-party story: man had spent $20k already, then partner upgraded the diamond/setting herself at Tiffany's; marriage ended in divorce |
| $20,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | – | – | – | Quote for a natural 2ct upgrade with specs similar to the original; declined in favor of lab after seeing both in person |
| $22,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Engagement ring diamond upgrade, calls it kind of a waste of money |
| $24,000 | Sapphire | 8.56 ct | – | – | – | Upgrade sapphire sourced from Sri Lanka; stone picked out separately, then a band designed around it |
| $24,000 | Natural diamond | 2.5 ct | – | – | – | Described as super ideal cut; upgrade from a 0.75ct IF I-color original ring bought years earlier |
| $25,000 | Natural diamond | 2.5 ct | round | – | 2025 | Bought his wife a 2.5 ct J-color IF ideal-cut round diamond as an anniversary upgrade for under $25k, shown as proof ideal cut hides color |
| $25,000 | Diamond, lab or natural not said | – | – | – | – | Upgraded 5 years after the original; smaller and better color than the asker's ring, writer sometimes finds it a bit showy |
| $28,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Upgrade ring bought after having four kids together |
| $35,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2013 | Husband paid for an upgrade in 2013; writer says they'd have picked lab instead if it had been affordable and available then |
| $40,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Recent upgrade, very expensive but called worth it; not a financial burden for the couple |
| $40,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Current ring after being married a long time |
| $43,000 | Natural diamond | 2.7 ct | round | – | 2025 | Second upgrade, round brilliant cut |
| $45,000 | Diamond, lab or natural not said | 3.2 ct | cushion | platinum | 2022 | Second ring, elongated cushion with 0.7 tcw tapered baguette side stones, bought about 3 years before this post through the same NYC jeweler |
| $50,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Rough figure, upgraded a few years before the comment in his mid-30s |
| $50,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Husband bought an upgrade ring after early retirement; writer's income once reached $500k/year during her career, timing versus this purchase unclear |
| $50,000 | – | – | – | – | 2025 | Upgraded a roughly 30-year-old original ring (about a carat total, small channel-set diamonds) to a much larger, noticeable ring |
| $51,000 | – | 2 ct | – | – | 2024 | Quote to upgrade a 1.25 ct Tiffany ring to a 2 ct G/VS1 stone, at least $30k on top of the original; writer felt it was bad value |
| $55,000 | Natural diamond | 2.53 ct | – | platinum | 2005 | GIA-certified upgrade with top color and clarity; writer wishes lab diamonds had existed back then since they look the same |
| $80,000 | Natural diamond | 6.05 ct | round | – | 2026 | 6.05ct K SI2 antique old European cut diamond found after a long personal search; deposit paid, pickup in August; plans a new vintage-style setting; funded partly by trading in her old emerald-cut ring |
| $85,000 | Natural diamond | 1.87 ct | – | – | – | Estimated cost for a 1.87ct IF D upgrade stone the couple has been sourcing in New York for nearly 5 years, not yet finalized |
| $100,000 | Natural diamond | 3 ct | – | – | 2025 | Quote to upgrade her 1.5ct Tiffany ring to 3 carats; declined as too expensive and specs looked worse than her existing diamond |
| $135,000 | – | – | – | – | – | Upgrade; the earlier ring was traded in and they paid half of the new price |
| $135,000 | Natural diamond | 4.08 ct | – | – | 2017 | 4.08ct fancy yellow diamond with trillion side stones; her last upgrade, bought about 9 years before the comment |
| $155,000 | Natural diamond | 6.76 ct | cushion | – | 2022 | 2022 quote for a 6.76ct antique cushion the writer first declined, then tracked down and bought elsewhere in 2023 for an undisclosed higher sum |
What buyers ask about upgrading
Is a diamond a good investment?
Buyers overwhelmingly said no, noting the S&P 500 returned over 300% from 2008-2022 while diamonds of either type typically resell for a fraction of what was paid. Multiple buyers said no, describing routine losses of 60% to 70% or more of the purchase price on resale, and recommended treating a diamond purchase as a personal indulgence rather than a store of value.
Where's the best place to sell an engagement ring for the most money?
Selling to an end consumer through a trusted local network or consignment tends to beat jewelry stores and pawn shops, which typically offer well under 30% of appraised value since they're mainly paying for the center stone. Most buyers recommended a private sale, through forums like a diamond buyers' forum's Preloved section or eBay, over jewelry stores or pawn shops, since stores generally only offer scrap or melt value unless the center stone is over a carat.
Where's the best place to sell an unwanted engagement ring?
Suggestions include local jewellers, pawn shops, Cash Converters, mail-in buyback services, and private sale via marketplace or Etsy, with private sale generally paying more than a shop trade-in. Private sale (eBay, Facebook Marketplace, a diamond buyers' forum Preloved, LoupeTroop) was recommended over selling directly to a jeweler, since dealers pay wholesale to cover their own resale risk.
How much of what I paid for an engagement ring can I expect to get back reselling it?
Most buyers put typical resale around 30 percent of the purchase price, with lab-grown stones sometimes going even lower, since insurance appraisals run well above real resale value. One seller said she got roughly half of the ring's original retail value selling on Facebook Marketplace, and several others warned pawn shops pay only a small fraction of a ring's worth, so consignment, dedicated resale sites, or a jeweler buyback tended to do better.
Should I propose with a cheaper ring and upgrade later?
Many suggested a 5- or 10-year anniversary upgrade; the asker's girlfriend refused, though an update said she would accept a lab placeholder. Several women were proposed to with 50 dollar rings and upgraded later. Several did: one wife moved from a 400 ring with a 0.10 ct stone to a 3000 ring with a 1 ct center about 20 years later, and a 24-year-old picked a 3k lab ring to save for a house with an upgrade possible later.
Do engagement rings hold their value or work as an investment?
Multiple buyers said a ring loses value the moment it leaves the store, and one who bought hers in 2000 doubted she could resell it for what she paid, so the discussion treats a ring as a personal purchase rather than an investment. Many answers say no: diamonds lose a large share of value the moment they leave the store, with guesses ranging from getting back roughly a third to at most half of the purchase price on resale.
Is a diamond engagement ring a good investment?
Buyers and a shared cost comparison conclude it isn't: investing the price difference between a lab and a natural stone in an index fund outgrows what the pricier natural ring would resell for. The recurring answer is no: unlike gold or watches, diamond jewelry is treated as a consumable purchase, and in one story a jeweler called inherited jewelry practically worthless to resell even though it was insurable for a few thousand dollars.
Do diamonds hold their value as an investment?
Multiple buyers said diamonds, natural or lab-grown, are not a financial investment and lose value quickly after purchase, with only rare designer or historically significant pieces holding worth. Buyers agree diamonds generally don't hold resale value close to what was paid, comparing them to cars rather than investments; only extremely rare material or a coveted antique cut might be an exception.
How much does it cost to upgrade an engagement ring diamond?
One couple spent $29,000 to upgrade a mined diamond from 1.4ct H/SI1 to 2.5ct G/SI1 for their 25th anniversary, choosing to stay with natural rather than switch to a cheaper lab stone. One buyer paid about $4600 shipped for a 2.76ct D VS2 lab diamond to upgrade his wife from her original 1.69ct stone.
How much of the original price can you expect back when reselling an engagement ring?
Often as little as 5-10% of the purchase price, though one seller got about a third of retail for an in-demand branded engagement-and-wedding set through I Do Now I Don't. One buyer said the typical return is about 30-60% of the original purchase price, and suggested checking sites like Stonealgo or Brilliance with the GIA certificate number for a market estimate.
How much can you actually get reselling an engagement ring?
Real examples ranged from about 15-20% of the original price (a $10k ring resold for $1,500-2,000) up to 60-70% when selling directly on BST groups or eBay instead of to a jeweler. Buyers say to expect well below retail or appraised value, often cited around 30% of retail, and roughly $4,000 to $6,000 net after marketplace, consignment or auction fees (which can run 14% to 50%) on a ring whose diamond, two accent stones and setting were roughly valued near $9,500 combined.
How much of the original price do you get back reselling an engagement ring?
Buyers said expect roughly a quarter of what was paid unless the stone is a large, well-certified diamond of two carats or more, since bridal jewelry is typically marked up around 2.5 times over store cost. Multiple buyers say resale value sits far below retail, often close to just the gold and stone scrap value, roughly a third of the original price or less; one buyers who paid about 2.5-3k expected only around a grand back.
Questions about the cost of upgrading
How much do people spend upgrading an engagement ring?
Buyers who replaced a ring they already owned paid a median $4,000 across 169 US upgrades, against $2,250 for a first ring.
Do people regret upgrading?
143 buyers in the regret layer had upgraded. Their verdicts sit on the regret and worth-it pages with everyone else's, since an upgrade is judged the same way: by whether the person wearing it is glad.
Sources and method
Price reports on this page come from 258 public discussions where buyers answered in their own words. Each comment that stated what someone paid became one row; notes are paraphrased, never quoted.
The largest discussions used here (60)
- 2025-12: Which band? (1122 comments)
- 2026-01: Update on 30k ring. See last post for more details (1100 comments)
- 2023-06: Husbands, how much did you spend on the engagement ring? (1083 comments)
- 2026-01: Ring will be around 23k-35k. NEED ADVICE (1050 comments)
- 2026-02: If you saw this size stone would you automatically think it’s a lab diamond? (1009 comments)
- 2024-05: How much do should I spend on an engagement ring? (912 comments)
- 2023-01: How much would you spend on an engagement ring? (909 comments)
- 2025-04: What is your ring size and what carat did you go with? (652 comments)
- 2026-02: Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring - Did I let her down? (600 comments)
- 2019-08: Show me the Bling - the Laboratory Grown version! (599 comments)
- 2025-03: Do people actually spend 3 months salary on a ring? (539 comments)
- 2026-01: I don’t mean this rudely at all but is everyone posting here marrying rich guys or are my standards just not attuned to what the norm is these days? (533 comments)
- 2023-08: My gf is READY to get engaged. We’re both in our 30s and never married. She’s very easy to please but I’m just not sure how I feel about the ring. It’s hard to see any details and it just didn’t have that wow factor to me that would make you just want to stare at it. (533 comments)
- 2024-08: How much would you spend on an engagement ring? (517 comments)
- 2023-08: Show me you inexpensive rings! (475 comments)
- 2025-09: Is it too big? (431 comments)
- 2023-12: To all the dealers trashing Lab Diamonds (430 comments)
- 2026-04: Why the hate towards large diamonds 💎? (426 comments)
- 2023-01: Show me your sapphire rings (419 comments)
- 2026-03: Am I crazy for wanting a $6k ring? (412 comments)
- 2024-07: A bit different: No engagement ring (409 comments)
- 2022-10: How much y’all paying for your engagement rings? (399 comments)
- 2023-10: When we got engaged and married we were very poor and I had a basic silver ring. We are still not rich but upgraded this year to 18k gold & diamonds and I loved it; but after joining this sub I worry it’s not tasteful because of the setting of small diamonds instead of a solitaire? (383 comments)
- 2025-03: Did I mess up? (369 comments)
- 2026-04: Did I overpay for 13 carat lab diamond ring? (363 comments)
- 2023-09: What do you consider expensive for a wedding ring? (355 comments)
- 2025-10: For everyone who has a diamond ring; is yours a natural or a lab-grown diamond? (355 comments)
- 2026-01: Has anyone noticed how people treat lab-grown diamonds differently in real life? (352 comments)
- 2025-08: What's the most expensive piece of jewelry you have and do you regret it or not? (343 comments)
- 2024-03: Genuine question (and I mean no offense to anyone!)... Why would you choose to pay for a natural diamond when you can get an equally beautiful lab diamond for approx 1/3 of the price? (341 comments)
- 2026-02: Is this diamond worth the price? (339 comments)
- 2024-12: Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Rings? (335 comments)
- 2026-05: MEN of SG, how much did you spend on your engagement ring? (333 comments)
- 2026-09: Anyone else pay for a portion of their engagement ring? (328 comments)
- 2026-02: Your reason for lab route (328 comments)
- 2026-01: How to convince myself to not want a natural diamond? Or is it worth the sentimental value? (326 comments)
- 2026-01: What do you think of this diamond size on my hand? (316 comments)
- 2025-10: Is it too small? (301 comments)
- 2026-05: How much should a man spend on an engagement ring? (300 comments)
- 2024-05: Share your Chunky Rings! (288 comments)
- 2024-04: Partner and I agreed on a cheap engagement ring. How do I get the most bang for my buck? (280 comments)
- 2024-02: Why doesn't everyone just buy moissanite? (277 comments)
- 2025-01: 1.3 Carat - Is this too small on me? (273 comments)
- 2023-11: Boyfriend proposed to me with a ring which has fake rubies on it. Feeling sad about it and don't know why :( Help please (273 comments)
- 2025-12: Too big for my hand? (272 comments)
- 2025-04: What are people spending on engagement rings? 💍 (265 comments)
- 2023-11: Found this particular ring at Costco Wholesale, is it a good quality ring for the price? (264 comments)
- 2021-11: How did people go about budgeting for an engagement ring? (259 comments)
- 2023-08: The upgrade to end all upgrades... (257 comments)
- 2026-05: So disappointed with jeweler’s bait and switch (257 comments)
- 2022-12: Is it just me or is everyone rich on here? (256 comments)
- 2025-04: For those who have a ring costing 30-50k usd, what does it look like? (252 comments)
- 2022-09: Surprise Upgrade for The Missus - First Ritani Purchase (251 comments)
- 2025-07: How much did you spend on your husband’s wedding band? (244 comments)
- 2025-05: With the caveat that the actual answer is “however much you’re both comfortable spending”, how much did you spend on an engagement ring? (242 comments)
- 2024-04: Lab grown diamonds seem too good to be true (240 comments)
- 2025-07: help me find my dream OMC elongated warmer ideally 2.5 - 3 ct [or "spready"] (231 comments)
- 2025-09: Average cost of an engagement ring (229 comments)
- 2024-03: My amazing husband is giving me a 20 year e-ring upgrade.Thinking of getting this 2 ct cushion cut ring. What do you all think? (228 comments)
- 2026-03: I have buyers remorse 😭 (223 comments)
- and 198 more, all in the dataset
A row counts as an upgrade when the buyer says they were replacing a ring they already had. These prices are kept out of the medians for a first ring everywhere else on the site.