What to Do with Your Wedding Ring After the Marriage Ends

Got a wedding or engagement ring gathering dust in your jewelry box after a divorce? You're not alone. By their fifties, about 43% of people who once tied the knot have experienced divorce. In 2017 alone, nearly 800,000 couples in the U.S. called it quits. That leaves a lot of rings filled with emotional baggage and valuable materials. So, what should you do with yours?

Here are some ideas:

#### 1. **Don't Toss It in the River**
We've all seen the dramatic movie scene where someone flings their ring into the water. It might feel cathartic for a moment, but it's a waste of precious material. Plus, it's not doing anyone any good buried in muck.

#### 2. **Transform It**
Consider turning your ring into something new. A friend of mine took her ring to a local jeweler, had the diamond removed, added a couple of new stones, and transformed it into a unique piece for her middle finger. She’s now happily remarried and loves her one-of-a-kind ring.

#### 3. **Get It Appraised**
If your ring is an antique or designer piece, it might be worth more than you think. Start with an appraisal to understand its value.

#### 4. **Put It Up for Auction**
If the ring has significant value, consider auctioning it. Find an auction house specializing in jewelry to reach a wide audience of potential buyers.

#### 5. **Pawn It**
If you're in immediate need of cash post-divorce, pawning your ring might be the quickest solution. You can always revisit what to do with it later.

#### 6. **Sell It for Gold**
Gold is currently valued highly. If your ring contains substantial gold, have it weighed and sell it by the gram. Make sure to deal with a reputable buyer and know the market value beforehand.

#### 7. **Turn It Into Something You Want**
Use the proceeds from your ring to treat yourself. Whether it’s a down payment on a car, a dream vacation, or something else you’ve always wanted, let it bring you joy.

#### 8. **Take a Flame to It**
Why not melt it down and start anew? This doesn’t mean torching it yourself (though you could if you wanted). Many jewelers offer to melt down old rings and help design a new piece of jewelry. This process can be surprisingly therapeutic, turning the emotional weight of the old ring into something fresh and meaningful.

A friend, Jim Dailing, a jeweler and teacher in Oregon, hosts an event called “The Great Ring Meltdown” where people can melt their rings and then redesign the metal into a new piece. This act of transformation can be a powerful way to move forward.

As for me, I’m not quite ready to torch my ring, but I love the idea of turning those diamonds and gold into something new. Diamonds are the hardest substance known to man, formed over billions of years under immense pressure. Gold is rare, malleable, and resistant to corrosion. These elements symbolize strength and resilience, qualities I’d like to carry forward into a new piece of jewelry.

So, what will you do with your wedding ring? Whether you decide to transform it, sell it, or melt it down, make sure it’s something that helps you move on and brings you joy.