Divorce is never an easy process. You’re left trying to move on with your life, but it’s not always easy when you’re surrounded by memories and mementos of your past relationship — including your engagement ring. Even if your marriage ended amicably, you may not want to continue wearing the symbol of the past; you might not even want it in your possession.

Fortunately, there’s no shame in selling your engagement ring after a divorce. Whether you’re preparing for your upcoming divorce, your lawyers are still working out the details, or your divorce has been completely finalized, you likely have some questions about the best practices for selling an engagement ring. First and foremost, should you sell your engagement ring after you get divorced? How long should you wait after a divorce to sell your ring? What are the signs to help you know if you’re ready to sell your engagement ring? What steps can you take to prepare for the sale? Finally, where can you sell your ring for the best price?

In today’s guide, we will answer all these questions and more, so let’s get started!

Signs That You Are Ready To Sell Your Engagement Ring

There are many reasons to sell an engagement ring after a relationship has ended. But how do you know if you’re ready to take such an emotionally charged step? Here are a few signs to look out for that can help you decide if you’re ready:

• You’ve Moved On - While it may take you a long time to completely overcome a divorce, it’s important not to make rushed decisions when you’re still in a vulnerable state. If you’ve proceeded with the divorce and you don’t feel a special attachment to your ex or the ring, this is a big sign that you’re ready to sell.
• You Don’t Use It - If you don’t use your engagement ring anymore (which is common after a divorce), the ring is just taking up space. Selling your engagement ring is a good way to declutter and recognize that you don’t want or need it in your life anymore. This is true of everyday items as well; if you’re no longer using something and have no emotional attachment to it, you should probably get rid of it!
• You Have Consent - Ownership of an engagement ring is always an awkward gray area. If someone bought it for you, they may feel that it should be returned to them. However, since it was “gifted” to you, you may believe that it's yours and you can do as you please with it. These kinds of details will likely be covered during the divorce settlement proceedings, but if you want to make a clean break from your ex and avoid future issues, it might be a good idea to get their consent before selling the ring. Just remember that this certainly isn’t a requirement; you may have no desire to be in contact with your ex, in which case getting their consent or “blessing” is off the table.
• You Want Closure - An engagement ring is a symbol of love and commitment. When that commitment is broken, for any reason, the ring often becomes an unwanted reminder of what could have been. If you desire a sense of closure, you’re almost certainly ready to sell your engagement ring.
• You Need the Money - Divorce settlements can be very time-consuming. If you depended on your ex for financial support, you may not have time to wait for settlement payments to be approved by the courts. When bills are stacking up after a divorce, it may be a sign that you should sell the ring as soon as possible.

What To Do Before Selling Your Ring

You likely want to get rid of your engagement ring quickly after a divorce, but this doesn’t mean you should rush the process. On the contrary, you should make sure that you’ve done your research to ensure that you’re getting a good price. Here are a few things to do before you sell your engagement ring:

• Research Similar Rings - If you can find used rings that are similar in style to yours, these can help you set a price for your own. If you have a diamond engagement ring, make sure to do your research on the 4 C’s of diamonds (cut, color, carat, and clarity) and other factors that can affect the price.
• Do a Price Check - There’s no scientific method to find the right sale price for your engagement ring. Jewelers can give you an appraisal value, but this is almost always higher than the actual market value of your pre-owned ring. Fortunately, you can use HYSTR’s used engagement ring price lookup to get an estimate. This will give you further assistance when setting your asking price.
• Find the Certificate and Box - When preparing to sell a ring, you’ll want to make sure you have as much documentation as possible. Most diamond rings come with a certificate verifying the authenticity of the ring. If you have the original box the ring came in, even better! Both of these things can make it easier to sell your ring, as the buyer will be more trusting that your ring is real and the sale is legitimate.
• Clean Your Ring - Whether you’ve had your engagement ring for 2 years or 20 years, it’s likely accumulated a bit of grime. Always make sure to clean your ring before you try to sell it; nobody wants to buy a dirty ring!
• Take High-Quality Photos - Finally, take high-quality photos of your ring so that you can impress prospective buyers and (hopefully) avoid low-ball offers. If you’re not sure how to take photos of your ring, check out our guide on taking photos of used engagement rings.

Where To Sell Your Engagement Ring For The Best Price

Are you divorced and looking to sell your engagement ring as soon as possible? Do you want to get the best price for your engagement ring? Finally, do you want to avoid scams and sell your engagement ring on a trustworthy online platform? If so, Have You Seen The Ring is the perfect solution for you!

At HYSTR, we make it extremely easy to put up an ad for your ring in minutes. All you have to do is create an account, tell us a bit about your ring, upload some photos of your ring and any certificates (if available), and set an asking price. Since you’ll be putting your engagement ring ad up on the largest online marketplace for pre-owned jewelry, your ad will reach hundreds of thousands of prospective buyers across the country. 

As offers begin to roll in, you can talk directly with buyers and figure out a price that works for both parties. Once you’ve agreed on a price and the seller has submitted their payment, you’ll just need to mail the ring to us so that one of our certified gemologists can verify its authenticity. As soon as we verify your ring, we’ll send you a check in the mail!

We hope you enjoyed our guide on selling your engagement ring after divorce! Are you currently trying to buy or sell a used engagement ring? If so, be sure to contact HYSTR today!