How to Reset a Diamond Engagement Ring, According to Jewelers (2024)

A diamond ring is forever—for the most part, that is. Since trends come and go, and wear and tear is inevitable, you might find yourself wondering if you should get your ring reset at some point in your life. Resetting is a relatively inexpensive way to upgrade your engagement ring (compared to purchasing a new one), and it allows you to hold on to the sentimental value of your original piece.

"There are plenty of reasons to reset your diamond ring, and each one is personal to the wearer," shares jeweler Sarah Ortega. "We absolutely love creatingcustom designswith an existing diamond because it maintains the sentiment of the stone while reimagining the design into something brand new." Best of all? Resetting a ring is an easy process as long as you find a reputable jeweler to help with the job.

Still, as painless as the process may be, there are a few things you should know before getting it done. In addition to Ortega, we spoke with jewelers Ryan Gozlan and Eric Razon to find out everything you need to know about resetting your diamond ring.

The Most Common Reasons for Resetting a Ring

As mentioned, there are several reasons why you might decide to get your diamond reset. According to Ortega, "One of the most common reasons our clients reset their diamonds is to update the style of the ring to a more modern setting. Just like anything in fashion, ring trends come and go, and people’s sense of style changes over time. Updating to a more modern setting gives the feel of a brand new ring, without the price tag." Gozlan echos that sentiment and further points out that if you wear your ring every day, you might as well love it. “As people’s sense of style changes, so does their taste in rings, and in turn, they want a change so it matches their other jewelry," he adds.

Many individuals also opt to rest their rings in order to turn an heirloom piece into something more modern. "In that same vein, we also commonly do this for heirloom engagement rings that have been passed down from a family member. Whether it’s to update the style, create a more secure setting for the stone, or honor the diamond in a new way," explains Ortega. To add to that point, Gozlan shares, “Most of the rings 20, 30 years ago were done in standard yellow gold, usually one center stone with maybe a few diamonds on the side in a channel setting of some sort. A lot of people want to upgrade it to something newer.”

Another reason? Some people simply get bored of the ring they’ve been wearing every single day and want a change—especially if they're looking to commemorate an anniversary. "Another common reason we reset diamond rings for our clients is to 'upgrade' their engagement ring as a celebration of their anniversary," notes Ortega. "Maybe turn a solitaire into a gorgeousthree-stone ringfor some extra bling, add another gemstone to create your very owntoi et moi, or add a dazzling diamond halo—the opportunities are endless!"

The Cost of Resetting a Diamond Ring

Resetting a ring is significantly less expensive than buying a new ring, but the price will vary depending on exactly what you want done. “It could go from $1,000 up to $4,000 or $5,000,” says Razon. “It really depends on what kind of setting and change you [make] from the original setting.” In general, adding more diamonds is going to be more expensive, while simply moving the stone from one setting to another will be more affordable.

How to Reset a Diamond Engagement Ring

One of the reasons resetting is inexpensive is because it’s a relatively simple process. To start, you'll need to figure out exactly what you want your new ring to look like. From there, find a jeweler who can help you design a piece you'll absolutely love. According to Gozlan, jewelers design either by using CAD (computer-aided design) or by making a handcrafted model from a skilled artisan. Once that’s done (and you've given your ring to the jeweler), Razon explains that the jeweler will measure the stone and take out any side diamonds. They'll then decide to either cast the ring from scratch or take the prongs and replace them to fit your diamond.

If your changes are minimal, it’s pretty fast and inexpensive work. “If you want to change the setting from yellow gold to white gold and you only have one stone, it could be very simple,” says Razon. Ultimately, you wouldn't even need to get a new setting—instead, a jeweler could simply replate the ring in the new color of your choosing, which generally costs just a few hundred dollars. If your setting is damaged or you want to change the look entirely, you should plan to pay a bit more for a new setting.

5 Ways to Reset Your Engagement Ring for a New Look

Choosing how you want your ring reset is obviously a personal decision, but some options are more popular than others. According to Ortega, a few popular settings most people opt for when resetting their rings are:

• Bezel settings
• Solitaires with wider bands
• Three-stone rings
• Toi et mois
• East-west settings

"These are timeless choices that will give your diamond a refreshed look without taking away from the natural beauty of the stone," she explains.

Tips for Resetting a Diamond Engagement Ring

Need some more advice before embarking on this journey? Here are two tips to keep in mind when opting to reset your diamond engagement ring.

Find a reputable jeweler you trust.

It's important to work with a jeweler you trust to care for your precious stone. Ultimately, it's not practical for you to watch your ring being reset—while you might be able to be there while your diamond is moved into a new setting, the ring will still need to go through polishing and plating, which can take a few days. If you're uncomfortable leaving your diamond with the jeweler in question for this amount of time, it's best to find someone else to complete the job.

Protect your jewelry by staying informed.

“You should always know and have your GIA or diamond certificate so you know all the details about your diamonds,” says Gozlan. “A diamond is a very valuable stone and you don’t want any issues with the stone being damaged or, in some cases, replaced or swapped.”