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Original poster

To change engagement rings?

42 replies

NorthernAndNervy · 23/02/2026 00:06

My engagement ring is a 18ct white gold, natural diamond but is quite small (.37ct)
would I be better getting a larger but lab grown diamond? The lab grown is actually cheaper than my ring (£1200 vs £845) which do you think looks nicer? Photos are mine vs one I’m looking at.

To change engagement rings?
To change engagement rings?
OP posts:
hellofrommyothername · 23/02/2026 10:16

You should have a ring you like to wear every day. If your fiancé is likely to be hurt by you changing it, then obviously take care with his feelings but nothing wrong with seeing the sentimental part as the agreement to marry, not the ring.

Smartiepants79 · 23/02/2026 10:02

The original one is very pretty and a good size to match with a wedding ring, wear everyday and suits your finger.
The other is pretty too but much too big and flashy for my taste. I don’t like large engagement stones that over shadow a wedding ring and make them impractical for daily use. I’d keep the ring my fiancé chose.

HundredMilesAnHour · 23/02/2026 09:58

I much prefer your original ring. The lab-grown diamond looks like it came out of a Christmas cracker (sorry!)

babasaclover · 23/02/2026 09:54

Lab grown is great but choose somewhere other than warren James - it’s terrible quality and go do platinum if possible so it won’t fade to yellow.

midwalker · 23/02/2026 09:53

Your ring is lovely but I do think it’s a bit small for your hand. It would suit someone with really dainty fingers. DH and I chose my ring together (really I chose it) for this reason! I think it’s rare that men get it absolutely right.

toomuchfaff · 23/02/2026 09:47

My ring wasnt chosen by DH; we decided we were going to get married and then we discussed a budget and I designed the ring, taking into account the full loom i wanted to achieve with the wedding ring - like you I've chosen a lab grown as its more ethical, and more beautiful, better clarity.

You're the one wearing the ring; if the "real" one was chosen by your DH then it may have sentimental value; otherwise change it; you dont have to get rid of the other, you're not throwing it away.

Amba1998 · 23/02/2026 05:19

Personally if you’re going to spend more money I’d go for a harder wearing metal like platinum. I do much prefer the 2nd though which is why we went to pick mine after he asked so I could decide

theculture · 23/02/2026 04:05

Remember you won’t be wearing it on its own after you married so think about how they will look with the wedding ring too

ReyRey12 · 23/02/2026 00:34

I don't like big rocks, my dream ting doesn't have a rock so I prefere the smaller one. But since you are looking at alternative rings, sounds like you want to change. So go for it.

Snaletrale · 23/02/2026 00:31

I like the small real one.

canklesmctacotits · 23/02/2026 00:30

For me the value lies in the knowledge that DH picked it out for me. I’ve since received bigger and blingier and fancier jewels, rings that I wear on the same and/or other hand. But I’ll never change or replace that ring. I hope to pass it on to a granddaughter one day.

Random321 · 23/02/2026 00:27

I refer the smaller one. I think it's more classy and timeless.

That said, it should be a ring that you like. That's really what counts.

Userxyd · 23/02/2026 00:25

Lab grown is more ethical and I prefer the look of it too - go for it!

sesquipedalian · 23/02/2026 00:24

I just like the one you have so much better than the larger one. I know that jewellery is a very personal thing, but if your engagement ring was given in love, then keep it and maybe in the fullness of time, you will be able to have a larger real diamond ring.

Eenameenadeeka · 23/02/2026 00:19

For me, the sentimental value of the ring chosen by my husband and given to me at the time of proposing is irreplaceable, and I also prefer a natural diamond, over a lab grown one. So I wouldn't change it, but you are the one wearing it for the rest of your life so do what makes you happy.

thaisweetchill · 23/02/2026 00:12

It’s up to you as you’ve got to wear this for the rest of your life.

Who chose the first ring? Personally I wouldn’t have chosen my engagement ring but my husband designed it which makes me love it and special to me so wouldn’t want to change a thing.

waltzingparrot · 23/02/2026 00:12

I don't think the money matters. Which one do you like best?

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