Deborah Chan
What to do with a wedding band after a divorce is a deeply personal decision. While some people choose to repurpose their rings, others opt to sell them or donate them to a worthy cause. Some people decide to keep their rings, either to wear or to pass down to their children. There are no established rules for dealing with wedding bands following a divorce, but some common decency should be applied when it comes to heirloom jewellery. It is generally considered the right thing to do to return a ring that was given as a family heirloom.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Give the ring back to your ex | If there is a prenuptial or post-marital agreement that stipulates the ring should be returned, you are legally bound to return it. |
| Continue to wear it | Some people continue to wear their wedding ring after divorce, either because they are not ready to take it off or to avoid broadcasting their divorce. |
| Keep the ring to pass down to your children | Some people keep their wedding ring as a possible heirloom for their children, especially if it has a nice diamond. |
| Repurpose the ring into another piece of jewelry | You could transform the ring into a new piece of jewelry, such as a necklace or earrings. |
| Sell the ring | You could sell the ring to move on and leave the ring behind, or to pay off bills or legal fees. |
| Donate the ring | You could donate the ring to a charity or organisation that accepts jewellery donations. |
| Dispose of the ring | You could throw the ring away, bury it, or flush it down the toilet. |
What You'll Learn
Sell it
Selling your wedding band after a divorce can be a great way to reclaim your story and move on from the past. It can also provide an unexpected financial windfall that could fund new projects, vacations, or even a new piece of jewellery to create happy memories.
Financial Benefits
Selling your wedding band can be a financially savvy move, especially when dealing with the financial strain of legal fees, alimony, and the division of assets that come with divorce. The money from the sale can be used to pay off bills, fund a new business venture, or simply improve your financial situation.
Emotional Benefits
Selling your wedding band can also provide emotional liberation by removing a powerful emotional trigger. By selling the ring, you can neutralise your attachment to the past and take a step towards healing and forging a new future.
Where to Sell
There are several options for selling your wedding band, including:
- Pawn shops: These shops are well-regulated and offer immediate cash, but they rarely offer competitive pricing.
- Local jewellery stores: Most jewellers are reluctant to buy back jewellery for fair market value as they need to cover the cost of doing business.
- Online marketplaces: Platforms like eBay have a wide reach but are targeted by scammers, so it's important to proceed with caution.
- Online diamond buyers and auction platforms: These buyers typically offer stronger offers due to lower overhead costs and access to the international diamond market. Reputable companies like Worthy provide full insurance coverage, diamond grading, and marketing services to help you get the best price for your ring.
What to Consider
When selling your wedding band, it's important to:
- Do your research and work with established, reputable companies that have good online reviews and are BBB accredited.
- Ensure your jewellery is safe and secure throughout the selling process.
- Work with companies that guarantee quick payment.
- Get multiple offers and negotiate to get the best price.
- Have your ring appraised to understand its true value, especially if it has large diamonds or is a designer piece.
- Be aware that the resale value of diamond jewellery is typically only a fraction of the original purchase price.
Selling your wedding band after a divorce can be a challenging but liberating decision. By considering the financial and emotional benefits, choosing the right selling platform, and taking the necessary precautions, you can make the most of this new chapter in your life.
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Repurpose it
If you love your wedding ring but not what it stands for, you can always repurpose it. This is a common practice, with many people turning their "divorce diamonds" into entirely new pieces of jewellery. Repurposing your ring can be a powerful way to symbolise moving on from your marriage and starting a new chapter in your life. It can also be a way to reclaim your future and create a piece of jewellery that aligns with your current values and style.
- Turn it into a necklace: You can reset your diamond into a minimalist necklace, allowing you to keep the memories of your marriage alive without having a constant reminder of the end of your relationship.
- Create a new ring: You can give your old ring a new design and wear it on your right hand as a symbol of your strength and independence. You can also add new features like side gemstones or your birthstone.
- Make a bracelet: Bracelets are timeless pieces of jewellery that can be worn daily. Repurposing your diamond into a bracelet allows you to keep the memory of your past relationship alive without having to constantly look at the ring itself.
- Create a diamond necklace: If your wedding band has multiple small diamonds, you can create a diamond necklace. Consider the style, setting, and length that will flatter your neckline.
- Design a pendant: A diamond pendant is a timeless piece of jewellery that can be worn for any occasion. Working with a skilled jeweller, you can design a custom pendant that suits your style.
- Make a pair of earrings: If your wedding band has three stones, you can create a pair of earrings and use the third stone for a necklace.
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Give it back to your ex
If you're thinking about giving your ex-wife her wedding band back, there are a few things you should consider.
First, you should think about whether or not you want to get back together with your ex-wife. If you do, then giving her back her wedding band could be a nice gesture. It could be a way to show her that you're serious about wanting to get back together and that you're willing to put in the effort to make things work.
However, if you're not interested in getting back together, then giving her back her wedding band might not be the best idea. It could be seen as a way of trying to get rid of her and move on.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to give your ex-wife back her wedding band is up to you. If you're unsure, you could try talking to her about it and seeing how she feels.
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Keep it
There are many reasons why you might want to keep your wedding band after a divorce. Here are some options for what to do with it:
Keep Wearing It
You might not be ready to take off your wedding band, and that's okay. You can continue to wear it for as long as you like, whether that's until you meet someone new or simply until you feel comfortable removing it. Some people also choose to switch their wedding band to their right hand, either because they still want to wear the ring or because they want to avoid attracting attention to their marital status.
Pass It Down
If you have children, you might consider keeping your wedding band as an heirloom to pass down to them. They may want to keep it as a memento or use the stones to create their own engagement rings.
Store It
If you're not ready to part with your wedding band but don't want to continue wearing it, you can store it somewhere safe, such as a memory box or a sealed box to avoid damage.
Transform It
You can also choose to transform your wedding band into something new. Jewellers can rework the materials into a new piece of jewellery, such as a necklace or earrings, that you can wear or pass down to your family. This can be a way to reclaim your personal style and individuality following your divorce.
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Donate it
Donating your wedding band to a charitable cause is a great way to transform a symbol of your past into something that can benefit others.
There are several organisations that accept donations of jewellery, including Goodwill, Helping Hands of America, and Support Our Troops. You could also call your local charities or domestic violence shelter to see if they accept jewellery donations.
If you have an expensive ring, it's a good idea to get it appraised before you donate it. This will be useful for your tax return, as you can classify the ring as a donation. You'll also need to give a copy of the appraisal to your chosen charity so that they can invoice you for the value of the donated jewellery.
If you're looking for a creative way to donate your ring, you could consider having it melted down and transformed into something new. For example, one person donated their wedding band to be melted down for a fundraiser for an orphanage in Kenya.
Another option is to sell your ring and donate the proceeds to a charity of your choice. This is a good option if you want to maintain a sense of distance from your ring while still contributing to a good cause.
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Frequently asked questions
You and your ex-spouse are free to reach any agreement that works for both of you. If you can't agree, the laws in your state will dictate who can keep the ring. It's best to consult a divorce attorney to understand your rights and the specific laws in your state.
If you want a ceremonial goodbye, you can tie the ring to a helium balloon, throw it into a body of water, or bury it. For a more cathartic approach, you can cast the ring into a fire or cut it into pieces.
You can repurpose the ring into another piece of jewellery, such as a necklace, earrings, or an anklet. You can also melt down the metal and turn it into a sculpture or another item.
You can keep the ring as a memento or pass it down to your children as a family heirloom. You can also wear the ring on your right hand or resize it to fit your left hand if you're not ready to part with it.
