Honoring Grandparents' Wedding Bands

There are many ways to honour your grandparents and preserve their memories by doing something special with their wedding bands. You could wear the ring as it is, or have it resized. If the ring doesn't suit your taste, you could alter it or restyle it, perhaps by adding contemporary touches while retaining its original look. You could also pass the ring down to your children, or give it to your partner as their wedding band. Another option is to make the ring into a necklace or pendant, either by itself or joined with another family member's ring.

Wear them as they are

If you have inherited your grandparents' wedding bands, you may want to wear them as they are. This is a great option if you appreciate the special family attachment and love the design. Wearing your grandparents' wedding bands as they are is a way to feel connected to them every day and honour their memory. It can also be a comforting reminder of their love and a way to keep them close to you.

Before wearing the bands, it is important to consider their size. If they don't fit, you may want to get them resized by a professional jeweller. This will ensure that they are comfortable to wear and won't slip off your finger. It is also a good idea to take them to a professional jeweller for cleaning, so they look their best and are ready to start a new journey with you.

If you are concerned about wearing the original bands due to their sentimental value, you can always make a copy of the rings to wear. This way, you can keep the original bands safe and still enjoy wearing a replica that holds the same special meaning.

Wearing your grandparents' wedding bands as they are can be a simple and elegant way to honour their memory and keep their love close to your heart. It is a personal decision, and you may want to discuss it with your family to ensure everyone is comfortable with your choice.

If you decide to wear the bands, you can also consider pairing them with other jewellery. For example, you could wear the wedding band on your right hand or stack it with other rings for a unique look. Wearing your grandparents' wedding bands is a meaningful way to incorporate family heritage into your daily life and keep their legacy alive.

Pass them down to your children

Passing down wedding bands is a valued way to continue the story of your family history. It is a way to honour and form a connection with your ancestors, linking them to your future family. It is also a more budget-friendly choice than purchasing a new ring.

If you are considering passing down your grandparents' wedding bands to your children, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to have open and honest conversations with your children about their expectations and preferences. They may have their own ideas about the type of ring they want, or they may want to start their own tradition. It is crucial to respect their wishes and find a solution that works for everyone.

Secondly, you may want to consider making alterations to the rings. Depending on their style and size, you could reset, upgrade, or change certain aspects to better suit your children's tastes. However, some family members may consider the rings too sacred to alter, so it is important to have these discussions beforehand and ensure everyone is on board with the changes.

Additionally, learning about the history of the rings can add to their sentimental value. Ask your grandparents or older family members about the stories behind the rings. Knowing their significance can make the rings even more meaningful to your children and help them feel connected to their family history.

Finally, it is essential to have the rings professionally cleaned, resized, appraised, and insured before passing them down. This will ensure that they are in good condition and can be safely worn by your children.

Passing down wedding bands is a beautiful way to honour your grandparents and create a lasting connection with your family history. By considering your children's preferences, making any necessary alterations, understanding the rings' history, and taking care of their maintenance, you can ensure that the rings are passed down with love and become cherished heirlooms for generations to come.

Make them into a necklace or pendant

If you're looking for ways to repurpose your grandparents' wedding bands, one option is to turn them into a necklace or pendant. This way, you can keep the rings in the family and create a new piece of jewellery with sentimental value.

One idea is to join the wedding bands together to create a double ring pendant. This style is popular among those who want to keep the rings in their original form, rather than melting them down and starting from scratch. By putting the rings on a chain, you can create a simple yet elegant necklace that serves as a sweet reminder of your grandparents. This option is particularly meaningful for those with fond memories of their grandparents and can be a wonderful way to feel connected to them every day.

If you prefer a more fashionable necklace, you can work with a jeweller to create a custom design that incorporates the wedding bands. For example, you could use the bands as the main pendant and add other decorative elements, such as gemstones or charms, to enhance their beauty. This option allows you to personalise the necklace to your taste while still preserving the essence of the original rings.

When creating a necklace or pendant from wedding bands, it's important to consider the materials used. If the bands are made of gold, for example, you may be able to melt them down and create a new pendant shape. However, if the bands contain gemstones, you may want to carefully remove and reset them into the new design. Working with a skilled jeweller will ensure that the process is done with care and precision, allowing you to honour your grandparents' legacy in a meaningful way.

Turning wedding bands into a necklace or pendant is a beautiful way to pay tribute to your grandparents' love and the memories you shared with them. Whether you opt for a simple or intricate design, wearing the rings close to your heart can be a comforting and special way to keep their spirit alive.

Bury your grandparents with their wedding rings

If you have inherited your grandparents' wedding rings and are unsure what to do with them, one option is to bury your grandparents with their wedding rings as a final symbol of love and honour. This is a way to pay your respects and lay their rings to rest with them. You can also choose to do this on a significant date that holds meaning for you and your family.

If you are looking for other ways to honour your grandparents' memory while preserving their wedding bands, you could consider altering them into a pendant or necklace. This way, you can wear the rings as a sweet, sentimental keepsake and carry a piece of your grandparents with you. Another option is to pass the wedding rings down through the generations, allowing your children and their children to inherit these heirloom rings and add to their stories.

If you are looking for a more immediate way to utilise the wedding bands, you could consider resizing and wearing them yourself. This option is ideal if you want to feel physically connected to your grandparents and carry their love with you every day. Alternatively, you could give the wedding bands to your fiancé or spouse as a meaningful way to include your grandparents in your own marriage.

Ultimately, the decision of what to do with your grandparents' wedding bands is a personal one. You may choose to keep the rings in a safe place or safety deposit box until you are ready to decide. Remember that you can always alter the rings to suit your taste while still retaining their original sentiment and honouring your grandparents' memory.

Put them in a safety deposit box

If you're looking for a place to keep your grandparents' wedding bands, a safety deposit box could be a good option. These boxes are secure containers that you can rent from a bank or credit union to store important items. They are typically made of metal and kept in a secure vault.

Security

Safety deposit boxes offer a high level of security for your valuables. Banks are much harder to break into than most people's homes, and they have alarms, video cameras, and advanced locks. The vaults that hold these boxes are also reinforced to protect against natural disasters such as fires, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes. This means that your grandparents' wedding bands will be safe from theft or damage.

Cost-effectiveness

Renting a safety deposit box is relatively inexpensive, with prices ranging from $40 to $300 per year, depending on the size of the box and the bank. This is a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with knowing your valuables are safe.

Insurance

While the contents of a safety deposit box are not insured by the bank or the FDIC, you can purchase private insurance to protect your valuables. This added layer of protection can give you confidence that your grandparents' wedding bands are covered in case of theft or damage.

Shared access

If you want to share access to the safety deposit box with other family members, you can add them as co-renters. This will allow them to have their own key and equal access to the box. This can be convenient if you want to store other family heirlooms or important documents in the same place.

Limitations

However, it's important to keep in mind that access to a safety deposit box is limited to banking hours, and you won't be able to access it on holidays or weekends. Therefore, it's not suitable for items that you may need in an emergency. Additionally, the largest boxes are usually just 10 inches by 10 inches and two feet deep, so it may not be suitable for larger items.

Frequently asked questions