From couples shopping for an engagement ring for women to long-married partners whose fingers have changed over the decades, lots of folks struggle with rings that don’t fit. Fortunately, many can be resized. Understanding ring resizing helps you make informed decisions when buying jewelry and ensures your precious pieces fit comfortably for years to come.
Types of Rings That Can Be Resized
Professional jewelers can resize many traditional metal rings. Because gold maintains its malleability even after being formed into jewelry, rings made from this lustrous material are especially easy to resize. White gold, yellow gold and rose gold all share this flexibility.
Platinum rings also resize well, but they require specialized tools and expertise due to the material’s density and high melting point. Rings made from sterling silver can be resized, as well, but not all jewelers offer this service.
Regardless of the material, simple bands are much easier to resize than more complex designs. Skilled jewelers can typically adjust plain wedding bands, classic solitaire settings and basic channel-set designs up or down by several sizes without compromising structural integrity.
Resizing wedding ring sets can be tricky. When both rings require adjustment, both pieces need proportional modifications to maintain a balanced aesthetic. Coordinated resizing prevents the mismatched appearance that often occurs when resizing matching rings separately.
Rings That Cannot Be Resized
Certain ring types resist resizing due to their construction or materials. For example, eternity bands featuring gemstones around the entire circumference cannot be resized because cutting the band would disrupt the continuous stone pattern.
Tungsten carbide rings cannot be resized due to the material’s extreme hardness. Tungsten is nearly as hard as diamonds, making it impossible to cut or reshape with standard jewelry tools. Similarly, jewelers typically cannot resize titanium rings due to their exceptional durability.
The Professional Resizing Process
Ring resizing requires specialized equipment and extensive training. Making rings larger usually involves cutting the band and adding a small piece of matching metal. The jeweler solders the new piece into place, files and shapes the addition and then polishes the entire ring to eliminate visible seams.
Making a ring smaller requires removing a section of the band. The jeweler cuts out the excess material, brings the ends together and solders the joint. They then reshape the band to preserve its circular form and polish the surface to eliminate the seam and match the ring’s original appearance.
Maintaining a ring’s structural integrity and aesthetic appeal when resizing requires excellent care and attention to detail. Temperature control during soldering prevents damage to gemstones, while precise measurement ensures the final size meets specifications.
Determining When to Resize Versus Replace
Minor size adjustments make financial sense for valuable rings. Resizing also makes sense for wedding bands, engagement rings and other pieces with significant sentimental value.
When a ring needs to be sized up or down more than two sizes, replacement may offer better long-term value and appearance. Major changes can compromise both aesthetics and structural integrity, making many jewelers reluctant to adjust rings up or down by more than two sizes.
It’s also smart to consider the ring’s age and condition before resizing. Worn or damaged rings may not withstand the stress of resizing, making replacement the safer option.
Getting the Right Size From the Start
Buying a ring that’s the right size is easier than having one resized, and it’s vital when shopping for rings made from non-resizable materials like titanium and tungsten carbide. Having a professional help you determine your ring size is the best way to get the right size from the start, but timing is important.
Finger size changes throughout the day, with measurements typically larger in the evening than in the morning. Temperature also affects finger size, with cold weather making fingers smaller and heat causing expansion. Fingers swell when you engage in intense physical activity, too, so keep that in mind if you have an active lifestyle.
Many people ask, “Is your ring the same size as your shoe size?” Unfortunately, there is no correlation between the two. Ring sizes follow their own standardized system, with average women’s sizes ranging from 5 to 7 and men’s sizes typically falling between 8 and 10.
Find Your Size with Our Ring Size ChartConclusion
Ring resizing is an effective solution for many sizing challenges, but success depends on the ring’s design, materials and the jeweler’s expertise. Understanding these factors helps you make informed decisions about your jewelry, ensuring your precious pieces remain comfortable and secure for years to come.