Heard of divorce rings? What are they and can they be empowering?

There are many occasions and milestones in life that people mark with jewellery, and a divorce has never been regarded as one of these – not until celebrity model Emily Ratajkowski showed off the latest additions to her collection of jewellery on Instagram recently, that is, and coined the term “divorce rings”.

The jewellery she flaunted comprises a pair of diamond rings, which are set with the bling taken from the engagement ring given to her by her ex-husband, Sebastian Bear-McClard.

Of course, it’s no longer news that the marriage is over, but the idea that Ratajkowski introduced has, regardless, caught the attention of the media instantly. The post, however, drew mixed reactions – some commented that it was a fabulous way to mark the end of a past relationship and a new beginning, while others weren’t sure if it was an occasion to be celebrated, even if it’s only with jewellery.

Whether or not you agree with what she did, this represents yet another new way to attach symbolic meaning to jewellery. On the question of whether one should keep or return the ring, it’s honestly a very personal decision since it’s an object of not just monetary value but also sentimentality.

No one wants a divorce, of course, but when there’s no way out of it, perhaps repurposing the engagement ring can help one to move on, instead of holding on to the unpleasant memories.

WHAT ARE DIVORCE RINGS?

“Divorce rings, much like the practice of upcycling jewellery, are a silent narrative. Now, given a name and placed in the spotlight, they represent a meaningful transition,” said founder of Twomorrow Jewellery, Evelyn Chung, who believes that they can become a growing trend with society’s shifting perspectives on divorce as a taboo subject.

“I think they mark a significant moment of transformation – it's not just about returning to singlehood, but rather the beginning of a personal journey filled with healing, growth, self-love, and discovery. It's akin to emerging with a fresh perspective on life just like a symbolic haircut, shedding the past and stepping forward refreshed,” she added.

To the founder of custom jewellery brand August Bespoke, Amanda Ang, they can also stand for the idea that women can take charge of their own narrative. 

“Ultimately, if a new piece of custom jewellery can help women (going through a divorce) feel more empowered, and remind them of their resilience, we see it as a positive outcome,” she added.

OLD GEMS, NEW LOOK

The concept of divorce rings may have emerged only recently, but the practice of repurposing old jewellery certainly hasn’t and has always been done for many different reasons. Gemstones last forever, even if the designs they are set in have become outdated – so why not give them a second lease of life with a remodelling?

Both Ang and Chung also noted that doing so is a sustainable way to enjoy jewellery and to give new meaning to existing pieces that have lost their lustre, figuratively speaking. Many of their customers choose to have heirloom jewellery updated with new designs to make these cherished pieces more wearable.

“Repurposing old jewellery contributes to reducing the environmental impact of mining and manufacturing. By reusing existing materials, we diminish the need for new resources and mitigate waste, aligning our practices with sustainable principles. It’s a meaningful way to breathe new life into your jewellery, embracing the evolution of your personal style while being environmentally conscious,” said Ang.

She has had customers come in to redesign their engagement rings, too, though not for the purpose of creating a divorce ring. The intention and sentiment might not be the same, but the process of doing so isn’t any different, really.

Ratajkowski happened to have a Toi-et-moi design for her engagement ring, which features two large diamonds – one pear-shaped and the other square – that represented the union of two people. She got two “new” rings out of it, as her jewellery designer took apart the two gems and set them into separate rings – resulting in an unexpectedly apt representation of her return to singlehood and jewels that look as chic as they did in their original setting.

While creativity has no limit, there may be some small challenges to repurposing engagement rings. Given that most engagement rings will feature a solitaire diamond, there might not be enough gems to work with should one have a more elaborate design in mind. In such instances, adding more gems – be they also diamonds or other coloured gemstones – will be a good way to open up more design possibilities.

Another constraint could lie in the size of the diamond, although Chung believes that it should never pose a problem in jewellery design. “Regardless of size, each diamond tells a story, and our task is to weave that into something even greater. A solitaire, for instance, can inspire a bold, standout earring, or be the heart of a new, intricate design that commands attention,” she said.

Think outside the box – the diamond doesn’t always have to be the central stone in a design, it can also be used as an accent to another larger gem you might want to add. As what Chung pointed out, a ring doesn’t necessarily have to stay a ring – have the gem set into a pendant, bracelet or earrings (if asymmetrical styles are your thing) if you’d prefer wearing any of these.

MAKE IT INTERESTING

Ang frequently gets requests from customers to enhance the appearance of their original engagement rings, and they often opt for modifications like adding a halo (a ring of gems) around it or altering the overall design to achieve a more substantial look.

Another option for creating a more impactful piece, according to Ang, is to flank the central diamond with a pair of side diamonds or gems. “This three-stone design can enhance the diamond’s visual presence and also incorporate additional sparkle and a pop of colour. Alternatively, clustering other coloured gems around the centre diamond can add depth and dimension, making the ring stand out more,” she elaborated. The former technique is exactly what Ratajkowski’s jewellery designer has employed – by adding two trapezoid diamonds to the sides of the square diamond, she has created a larger-looking and uniquely shaped design.

There are endless design choices to explore, of course, to turn any type of engagement ring into a stylish, new piece of jewellery that is uniquely yours, whether in terms of its design or the significance it holds.