It took me a long time to take off my wedding and engagement rings after I separated from my husband. For me, it felt final – like taking them off meant admitting the marriage was really over and I just wasn’t ready for that.
Rings carry weight – not just physically, but emotionally. They symbolise love, commitment, and a shared future that once felt full of promise. They become part of your identity. So when that relationship ends, figuring out what to do with them can stir up all kinds of feelings – sadness, guilt, anger, or even relief.
There’s no rule for when you should take them off, or what you should do with them after divorce. Some people remove them right away. Others wear them long after the paperwork is final. It’s a deeply personal decision – and there’s no right or wrong.
7 things to do with your wedding rings
When you’re ready, here are some thoughtful options for what you might do with your rings.
1. Buy yourself a new ring to signify your love for yourself
I was lucky enough to be able to afford to buy myself a beautiful pink sapphire and diamond ring that I absolutely loved and still wear today. I didn’t wear it on my left hand initially, but it felt good to have a stunning ring to wear that symbolised the start of my new life. I showed myself that I was worth it. You can fund the new ring by selling your engagement and wedding rings.
2. Pass it down to family
Save it to give to your children if you have them, otherwise another close family member for when they get engaged or married.
3. Repurpose it
You can have it redesigned into another beautiful ring, a necklace or another piece of jewellery. There are jewellery designers that specialise in this.
4. Keep it
You don’t have to get rid of it until you’re ready to. It shouldn’t lose its value. Mine is still in a cupboard but I feel ready to sell it now or have it re modelled.
5. Sell it
If you have no emotion attached to it anymore then sell it and use the money to buy or do something that makes you happy. What have you always wanted to do that you couldn’t when you were married? Use the money to start this new chapter in your life. If you do decide to sell it, you can always take a photo of it if you want that memory.
6. Use it to pay for the legal fees
Solictors’ fees can really rack up, especially if your divorce is acrimonious. Having some money to fund them will help to take some of the stress away and ensure that you’re more likely to get what you’re entitled to in the financial agreement.
7. Donate it to a charity close to your heart
Charities are always in need of funding and this makes a great alternative to just chucking it in a fit of rage.
To summarise
There’s no rush to decide what to do with your rings. Take your time. You might feel differently weeks or months from now – and that’s okay. When you do feel ready, choose an option that feels right for you – whether it’s keeping them, transforming them, or letting them go. Whatever you decide, make sure it reflects where you are now and the life you’re building next.
If you’re struggling to move on after your breakup or divorce then download my free guide:‘ 10 Simple secrets to let go of heartbreak and start moving on with your life after divorce’
