Jewelry Protection

The Jewelry Trend for the Newly Single: The Divorce Ring

Rachel Akmakjian

Updated on:

July 24th, 2025

divorce-ring


Whether you’re celebrating the end of your nuptials and the start of a new chapter in a new life, or you just don’t want to give up your much-loved engagement and wedding rings after divorce, a divorce ring could be your perfect fit.

We’re covering everything you need to know about these trending rings for divorcees, including:

  • How the divorce ring became popular
  • How to make or buy divorce rings
  • Design options for divorce rings
  • And more!

They’re the perfect answer if you’re wondering what to do with a wedding ring after divorce.

What You Will Learn

How Divorce Rings Became Popular

While divorce rings aren’t brand-new, per se, they came into the limelight recently thanks to model Emily Ratajkowski.

 

While divorce rings aren’t brand-new, per se, they came into the limelight recently thanks to model Emily Ratajkowski. According to an article from CNN, the model, who became famous after appearing in a Robin Thicke music video, chose to create her own divorce ring after splitting from her husband. By turning her engagement ring into two new rings, Ratajkowski is celebrating her fresh start and a powerful reminder of her “personal evolution.”

Originally, Ratajkowski’s engagement ring featured both a pear-shaped and princess-cut diamond, which were separated to form two separate rings. Ratajkowski said she got the idea for what to do with an engagement ring after divorce after reading a story about a woman who made a single ring featuring all the stones from the old wedding rings from her previous multiple marriages.

How to Get Your Own Divorce Ring: Divorce Ring Ideas

When it comes to what to do with wedding ring after divorce, a divorce ring is an excellent option for many new divorcees. However, you do have options as to what your divorce ring looks like and is made from. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Buy a Brand-New Ring

In some instances, you might not want to use your old rings to create a divorce ring, and that’s perfectly fine. If those rings hold too many bad memories, but you still want to celebrate with a new piece of jewelry, consider buying a brand-new ring that you pick out, on your own, and choose according to your personal tastes and budget.

Take the Major Pieces of the Old Ring to Create a New One

This is the most popular option. In some cases, you might want to just take the major pieces of the old ring to create your new divorce ring. For example, you might take the diamonds or other gemstones and reset them into a totally new ring, with an entirely new look.

Keep Your Old Ring As-Is, But Give it Some New Life

If you don’t have the budget to rework your ring at the current moment (divorce can be pricey, after all), you can keep your old ring as-is, but give it some new life by wearing it differently. Put it on a different hand, wear it on a different finger, wear it on a chain — anything to symbolize, “This is different and a new stage in my life.”

Is the Divorced Ring Jewelry Trend Right for You? Explore Your Options

Love this trend and all it stands for? Before you slide that wedding band you’re technically no longer using off the fourth finger of your left hand and take it to a jeweler to be remade into something brand new, it’s important to carefully consider this choice. Deciding what to do with wedding rings after divorce is deeply personal, and you have multiple options. Here are just a few.

Deciding what to do with wedding rings after divorce is deeply personal, and you have multiple options. Here are just a few.

 

 

Sell the Engagement Rings or Wedding Bands

Some couples who divorce decide to sell their wedding jewelry and then split the profits. You can find interested buyers that include jewelry stores that take used jewelry, but you can also sell the rings to a private buyer (though this can be more difficult, as sometimes buyers will associate a ring from a divorcee as bad luck).

This might be a good option if neither of you have sentimental feelings toward the rings, or if you both need a little extra cash to fund your new beginnings.

Keep the Wedding Rings for Someone Else

If you have children or other close relatives close, you may decide to keep the wedding rings to give to that individual. If they’re still a child, you might hold on to the rings until they’re of marrying age, and then offer the rings to them (keeping in mind that they’re under no obligation to accept them — it may be the case that, while your gesture is appreciated, the rings just aren’t a good fit for their wants/needs). If the intended recipient is an adult, you might ask them, now, if they would be interested in using the rings at a later date.

Return the Wedding Ring to the Buyer or Original Owner

If the ring was a family heirloom or was otherwise passed down from a parent or relative, consider offering to give the ring(s) back to the original owners. Likewise, if the rings were purchased by someone outside of the couple, such as by a parent, you might offer the rings back to them, so they might recoup their costs.

Make a Divorce Ring

Lastly, of course, you could go ahead and make that divorce ring. Work with a jeweler to craft something brand-new from your wedding or engagement rings, something that fits your style and the symbolism you’re after.

Make a Divorce Ring

Divorce Ring FAQs

How do you wear divorced rings?

Just like there are no rules when it comes to how you must wear your engagement ring or wedding ring, there are no strict rules about how you wear your divorced ring. Wear it on your middle finger as a cheeky statement. Wear it on a chain. Wear it on any finger. Just maybe opt to not wear it on your left-hand ring finger, to avoid confusion.

What do divorce rings symbolize?

For many, divorce rings symbolize personal growth and newfound independence. Just like any piece of jewelry can mark a life milestone, divorce rings similarly mark the life milestone of a divorce.

Who can make a divorce ring?

If you’re looking for someone to make a divorce ring using your old wedding or engagement ring (or both!), go to a qualified jeweler who is experienced with removing stones and similar elements from existing pieces of jewelry and then placing those items in new settings and crafting new jewelry designs.

Just Like You Protected Your Engagement and Wedding Rings, Protect Your Divorce Ring

You likely purchased engagement ring insurance or wedding ring insurance to cover the cost of ring damage or loss, just in case. Now that you’re divorced, though, don’t let that coverage lapse. If you’re reusing the same stones and precious materials in a divorce ring, you’ll want to keep them covered just the same, with a comprehensive insurance policy from BriteCo.

See how we can keep your favorite pieces of jewelry protected and get your free quote now.

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Rachel's expertise is further enhanced by her distinction as a Graduate Gemologist from the prestigious Gemological Institute of America (GIA), equipping her with exceptional knowledge in gem identification and grading. Her education and experiences have given her an in-depth understanding of the demands and expectations facing jewelers and customers in today’s evolving retail marketplace.