Wedding Bands: Post-Divorce

There are many options for men who are deciding what to do with their wedding band after a divorce. While there are no established rules for dealing with rings following a split, some common decency should be applied, especially if the ring was an heirloom. Etiquette and legal precedence say that wedding rings are a gift from the husband to the wife, so men can choose to keep their wedding bands. However, if the marriage ended amicably, some people choose to wear their wedding ring on their right hand as a reminder of their continued friendship with their ex-spouse.

If men would rather not keep their wedding band, they can repurpose the jewellery by melting it down and making something new, such as a necklace or pendant. They can also sell the ring, or give it away to a friend or family member. Some men might want to get rid of the ring in a more symbolic way, such as tying it to a helium balloon or floating it down a river on a toy boat.

Sell it

Selling your wedding ring after a divorce can be challenging, but it can also be a way to make a fresh start. Here are some things to consider if you're thinking of selling your wedding band:

Online vs. In-Person

You can choose to sell your wedding band online or in-person at a local store. Online platforms like Worthy.com offer a secure, simple, and fast way to sell your ring. They handle everything from shipping to insurance and photography. Local jewellery stores are another option, but it may be difficult to find a store interested in buying your ring and offering a fair price.

Auction Websites

Online auction websites like eBay can be used to sell your wedding band. However, it can be challenging to get good bids, and you will need to handle insurance, shipping, and other costs yourself.

Pawn Shops and Consignment Shops

Pawn shops provide a quick way to get cash for your wedding band, but you may not get the best price. Consignment shops are another option, but it can take time to find the right buyer, and the cost of consignment can be high, with stores charging up to 50% of the sale price.

Get an Appraisal

Before selling, get an appraisal to determine the value of your ring. This is especially important if your ring is made of precious metals like gold, palladium, or platinum, or if it has diamonds or other precious stones. The value will depend on factors like the metal's purity and weight and the quality of any stones.

Know the Market Value

Be aware that you may not get the same amount you or your partner paid for the ring. The original retail price included the jeweller's profit margin. When selling, you're likely to get a wholesale price, which is typically between a third and half of the original retail price.

Choose a Reputable Buyer

When selling your wedding band, it's important to choose a reputable and trustworthy buyer. Avoid pawn shops and local jewellers, as you may be more likely to get ripped off. Instead, consider online buyers like reDollar.com, which offers good prices and is highly trustworthy.

Selling a wedding band after a divorce can be an emotional decision. But with the right approach and knowledge, you can get a fair price and move forward with your new chapter.

Repurpose it

If you love your wedding ring but not what it stands for, you can always repurpose it. It is very common for people to turn their wedding rings into entirely new pieces of jewellery. You could consider having your wedding band melted down and turned into a tiny sculpture. Alternatively, you could take the ring to a jeweller and have it redesigned, then wear the final product on your pinkie finger to show your availability. Instead of turning your wedding ring into a typical necklace or pendant, consider something a little different like an anklet or a barrette. You could also have the stones reset and turned into a necklace or earrings.

Keep it

Keeping your wedding band after a divorce can be a tricky decision. Here are some reasons why you might want to keep it and what you could do with it.

Many people choose to keep their wedding bands as keepsakes for their children. You could pass it down to them or have it remade into something else for them to wear. If you have multiple children, you could divide the band into several pieces and have jewellery made for each of them.

You might not be ready to part with your wedding band, especially if it holds a lot of memories for you. Keeping it in a drawer or a safe can be a good way to hold on to it without having to look at it every day. You could also repurpose it into a different piece of jewellery, such as a necklace or an anklet, and wear it on a different finger or hand.

If your divorce was amicable, you might want to keep your wedding band as a sign of respect for what you once shared with your ex-spouse. You could also offer to return the ring to your ex-spouse, especially if it was a family heirloom.

Selling your wedding band can be a good way to make some extra cash, especially if you're struggling financially after the divorce. You could also donate the money to a worthy cause or use it to kickstart the next chapter of your life.

Remember, there is no "right" time to remove your wedding band after a divorce. Do what feels right for you, and don't be afraid to take your time with this decision.

Give it back

Etiquette and legal precedence say that wedding rings are a gift from the husband to the wife. Therefore, women do not have to return wedding rings to their ex-husbands if they do not want to. However, if the woman no longer wants her wedding ring, she can return it to her ex-husband.

If the ring is an heirloom, it is considered good manners to give it back to the family it came from, or at least ask if they would like it returned. This is because the ring was passed down through the family, and you are no longer a part of that family.

If you decide to give the ring back to your ex-husband, you could offer to meet and exchange the ring in person, or send it to them in the post. If you choose to meet in person, you may want to prepare yourself for a difficult conversation. If you do not want to see your ex-husband, you could ask a mutual friend to return the ring on your behalf.

If you are unable to return the ring to your ex-husband, perhaps because you have lost contact or they have passed away, you could donate the ring to a charity shop or organisation. This way, the ring can be sold or recycled, and the money can be used to help those in need.

Get rid of it

If you're looking to get rid of your wedding band after a divorce, there are several options to consider. Here are some detailed suggestions:

Sell It

If you're looking to make some extra cash, selling your wedding band is a viable option. Get an appraisal to determine its value and then find a buyer. You can sell it online through auction sites or classifieds, or even in person at a local jewellery store or pawn shop.

Donate It

Consider donating the ring or its value to a worthy cause or organisation that helps people in need. You could also give it to a friend or family member who may be delaying their wedding due to financial constraints.

Repurpose It

Turn your wedding band into something new by repurposing the metal and any jewels. You could melt it down and create a new piece of jewellery, such as a necklace, earrings, or an anklet. Alternatively, you could have the metal sculpted into a tiny sculpture or use the jewels to create a mosaic image.

Give It a Ceremonial Goodbye

If you want a symbolic way to part with your wedding band, consider a ceremonial goodbye. You could tie the ring to a helium balloon and let it go, or float it down a river on a toy boat. For a more dramatic approach, some people choose to throw it in the trash, flush it, or toss it out of a car window.

Store It

If you're not ready to part with the ring emotionally, you can always store it away. Keeping your wedding band in a drawer or safe deposit box is a socially acceptable option. This allows you to keep it out of sight but retain it as a memento of that chapter of your life.

Frequently asked questions