What to Know About the Divorce Ring Trend

Actress and model Emily Ratajkowski may not be the first person to get a divorce ring, but she's certainly started a trend. The star posted a snap on Instagram earlier this week that the internet by storm, resulting in Google searches for the term skyrocketing overnight.

To better decipher this phenomenon , the ethical jewelry brand Sacet shared its expertise on the subject with us.

L'OFFICIEL: What is a divorce ring?

Divorce rings are symbolic jewelry adopted by people who have experienced the breakdown of a relationship. They tend to incorporate elements of the original engagement ring or wedding band, but are reimagined in a new setting or design in order to reshape the memories or history attached to the ring.

LO: Are divorce rings a new concept?

Interestingly, Emily Ratajkowski's post took the internet by storm. However, divorce rings have been around for years, although they are not as popular or coveted as engagement rings and wedding bands. Several celebrities have also said they kept their engagement rings after the end of their relationship, using the stones from their original ring and transforming them into new jewelry. Halle Berry , Katy Perry and, of course, Elizabeth Taylor are just a few of the women known for redesigning their rings.

LO: Why are Emily Ratajkowski's rings all the rage on the Internet?

What sets Emrata's ring apart, and perhaps why it appeals to so many people, is due to the nature of the stones. She apparently split the original Toi-Et-Moi design into two new rings, adding two additional trapezoid-shaped diamonds on either side of the princess-cut diamond, creating a unique new shape. The matching pear-shaped diamond, worn as a little finger ring, is also quite unusual for a diamond of this size. However, despite the separation of the stones and perhaps the symbolism of this design, keeping the stones side by side, albeit on different fingers, appears to be a subtle nod to the original union.

LO: On which finger should a divorce ring be worn?

There is no right or wrong answer as to which finger you can wear your divorce ring on. Historically, most celebrities have continued to wear repurposed divorce rings on their ring fingers. Emily Ratajkowski appears to be following suit, although it's unclear whether the rings are modeled on her right or left hand. Ultimately, divorce rings can be worn on any finger, and the choice most often comes down to a question of size. Unless you completely reinstall the original stones in a new ring, most people will only be able to wear their ring on their left or right ring finger.

LO: How do you design a divorce ring?

The decision to completely reinstall the stones in a new piece of jewelry or keep the original ring and add additional elements to it, as Emrata did with her pear-shaped diamond, is entirely up to the wearer. ring. Simply adding metal to resize the ring so it can be worn on another finger is a slightly more affordable option, as it requires less work. However, you may want to personalize the design to make it unique, such as adding a birthstone, personalizing the engraving, or completely resetting the stones into another piece of jewelry, such as earrings or a necklace. However, we do not recommend cutting the stones, as this will decrease their value, and there is always a risk of chipping, fracturing and scratching in the process.

LO: How much does it cost to redesign a ring?

The price of course varies depending on the complexity of the new design, the materials and the expertise of the jeweler. In general, small modifications such as resizing, changing the metal of the ring and engraving cost between €50 and €200. The cost of adding or replacing stones can range from $100 to $1,000, not including the cost of additional gemstones, and major alterations usually start around $2,000 to $10,000 or more.