Anniversary Ring & Ring Upgrade Guide Singapore: When and How to Do It
The engagement ring is not always the final word. For many couples, the years after marriage bring a desire to mark significant milestones — a first anniversary, a fifth, a tenth — with a piece of jewellery that reflects how far they have come together. Others want to upgrade a ring that was chosen early in life, when budget was limited, to something that better reflects who they are now. This guide covers when to consider a ring upgrade or anniversary ring, what the options are, and how to approach the commission.
The Anniversary Ring
An anniversary ring is traditionally given to mark a milestone year — most commonly the first, fifth, tenth, or twenty-fifth anniversary. Unlike the engagement ring (which is about a future) the anniversary ring marks something that has already happened: years of building a life together. The symbolism is different, and so is the design language.
The most traditional anniversary ring is the eternity band — a ring set all the way around with diamonds or gemstones, symbolising unending love. Full eternity bands are more romantic in concept but more complex to resize; half eternity bands (stones on the top portion only) are more practical for daily wear. At Diamond Ateliers, we design anniversary bands to stack beautifully with the existing engagement ring — matching metals, complementary profiles, and proportions that feel considered rather than accidental.
The anniversary ring does not have to be a band. Some clients commission a second ring — a statement piece for the right hand, a pendant, or a completely different design that stands alone rather than stacking. This is particularly common for milestone anniversaries where the client wants something that feels as significant as the original engagement ring.
The Ring Upgrade
A ring upgrade typically means replacing the centre diamond with a larger or higher quality stone, replacing the setting, or both. The motivations vary: some clients feel their original ring no longer reflects their taste. Others want to move from a natural diamond to a larger lab-grown stone within the same budget. Some simply want to mark a milestone by making the ring they have always loved even more of what it already is.
Upgrading the centre stone: This is the most common upgrade request. If the original ring has a well-made setting, it is sometimes possible to simply replace the stone — removing the original diamond and setting a larger or higher quality one in its place. We will assess the setting to determine if this is structurally sound. If the ring was not bespoke, the setting may not be designed to accommodate a different stone size, in which case a new setting is the better approach.
Redesigning the setting: Some clients want to preserve their original diamond but upgrade the setting around it. A plain solitaire might become a hidden halo ring. A simple band might gain a pavé wrap. A worn or damaged setting might be replaced with something entirely new while the stone stays. This is a deeply personal commission because the original diamond carries all the history — and the new setting reimagines it.
Full recommission: The most transformative option. The original diamond is set into an entirely new bespoke ring, designed from scratch with the benefit of taste, knowledge, and budget that was not available at the time of the original purchase. The stone continues its story in a new form.
How to Stack an Anniversary Band with Your Engagement Ring
Stacking well requires planning. The ideal scenario is designing the anniversary band at the same time as the engagement ring, or at least having your jeweller design it with full knowledge of the engagement ring's specifications. Key considerations:
Metal match: Mixing metals can work beautifully — a rose gold band stacked against a white gold engagement ring, for example — but it needs to feel intentional. If you want a seamless stack, match the metal exactly.
Profile match: A flat-profile anniversary band against a dome-profile engagement ring will sit with a gap between them. A contoured or curved band can be designed to nest exactly against your engagement ring's profile.
Width proportion: An anniversary band that is significantly wider than the engagement ring will visually dominate it. Narrower bands typically stack more elegantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Diamond Ateliers upgrade a ring that was not made by you?
Yes. We assess every ring on its own merits during a consultation. If the existing setting is structurally sound and well-made, we can often work with it. If it is not — or if you want a design that the existing setting cannot support — we will recommend a new bespoke setting and reset your original stone.
What happens to my original diamond during an upgrade?
If you are upgrading the centre stone, you retain your original diamond. Many clients choose to set it into a different piece — a pendant, earrings, or a right-hand ring. We can advise on the most beautiful use of the original stone as part of the upgrade conversation.
Is there a best anniversary milestone for a ring upgrade?
There is no rule. We have helped clients upgrade for their first anniversary, their tenth, and their thirtieth. The milestone matters less than the feeling that the time is right. The most common triggers are a significant birthday, a round-number anniversary, or simply the realisation that the original ring no longer feels like the person wearing it.