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Unfortunately, not every marriage is destined to be forever. Some simply don’t last for one reason or another.
For most people, when their marriage ends, their engagement and wedding ring becomes an issue and they’re not quite sure how to move on from this. Some people miss having a ring on their finger, especially if they’ve worn their wedding ring for several years. Others might be looking for some kind of closure.
This is where divorce rings step in.
Divorce rings are a new trend that’s rising in popularity. They’re a way to symbolize the end of a relationship and the look towards a new chapter. Here’s a quick look at divorce rings and how to wear them.
What’s a Divorce Ring?
A divorce ring is a piece of jewelry that you can buy for yourself after your marriage is over. You can choose it for yourself or pick it out with a best friend to help you. The idea is to take off your wedding and engagement rings and not feel their loss.
Instead, you substitute them with a ring you’ve bought for yourself to celebrate you. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in your life and the ending of another. Also, splurging on a new ring is a nice way to treat yourself, and who doesn’t love beautiful jewelry to take your mind off things?
There are no rules to follow when it comes to divorce rings because they’re still a new concept.
Which Finger for Divorce Rings?
You can wear your divorce ring on any finger you find comfortable because there are no rules about this.
Some people like to wear the ring on the fourth finger of their right hand, keeping their left hand free. That way, they’re essentially single again and are making a statement to that effect.
Others prefer to wear the ring on the fourth finger of their left hand, to replace their engagement and wedding rings. The people who do this generally choose this finger because they’re so used to having their wedding ring on that finger that it feels alienated and strange without it. With the divorce ring, they can still have the familiar comfort of the ring on their usual finger without the connotations associated with it.
The middle fingers are also commonly chosen for divorce rings because they don’t get confused with wedding rings. It’s also often more comfortable for most people and has no association with their former marriage.
Whichever finger you choose to wear your divorce ring on, the aim is to be comfortable emotionally and physically.
Putting on your divorce ring means that you’re ready to move on from your engagement and wedding rings. While some people choose to keep these as mementos of a bygone time, others prefer to sell them, either in physical stores or online at diamond and jewelry auction marketplaces.
Divorce Ring Styles
There are many different styles of divorce rings to choose from to represent your marriage being over. Here are a few ideas for your divorce ring:
1. Quote or Word
A ring with a meaningful quote or word is usually an ideal option. choose from something that holds meaning to you and is one that you can gain inspiration and strength from. Here are some popular choices
- Braver, smarter
- Don’t look back… that’s not where you’re going
- Stay strong, you’ll be fine
- Just breathe
- Plot twist
- She refused to sink
- This too shall pass
- Strength
- Life is beautiful
- Yes I can
- Stronger everyday
- Happy and free
- The adventure begins
- Warrior
- Inhale, exhale
2. Broken Ring
A ring with a gap in it is symbolic of a new phase and a broken relationship. You can choose many designs for this style of ring, including a broken heart (although that gives out negative vibes), a space in a plain round band, or creative ways to show a space in the circumference of the ring.
3. A Filled Heart
Some divorce ring designs feature a broken heart being filled with diamonds or a diamond simulant, representative of healing, clarity, and strength. This type of ring design has elements of sorrow and happiness but focuses on the future and moving on toward better things.
4. Multiple Heart Ring
A ring with multiple hearts is a nice reminder of the people in your life, the family and friends who make life worth it. After all, your heart may be broken and you might have lost an important part of your life, good or bad, but you’ve still got the people who care about you around you.
5. A Meaningful Symbol
It’s not for nothing we say that a picture speaks a thousand words. Sometimes, the right symbol can be exactly what you need. Some ideas include:
- Arrow – Symbolic of strength, staying your course, a fighting spirit, and moving forward.
- Compass – Symbolic of finding your path, travel, positivity, and hope
- Anchor – Symbolic of staying true to yourself, steadiness, strength, and confidence
- Birds – Symbolic of reaching new heights, relaxation, calmness, and independence
- Tree – Symbolic of strong roots, knowing who you are, staying steady and stable, strength and growth
Upcycling Your Engagement and Wedding Rings
If you don’t know what to do with your wedding and engagement rings, some retailers will help you create a new design using the materials of your current rings. This is highly symbolic as it’s reflective of the changes that most people go through after a divorce – you simply have to change your perspective and outlook and move on towards newer and better things.
In this way, you still keep the rings you had but you’ve remolded them into something that works for you now. Alternatively, if you want a completely fresh start, you can choose to sell your rings.
While divorce rings are still a relatively new concept, they’re starting to rise as more people look for ways to find closure and mark the end of a significant chapter in their lives. Of course, it takes more than a ring to find complete closure and healing but it’s still a symbolic way to move on from this period in your life.
