How to resize a ring?
Although it is always better to measure and find your exact ring size before making a purchase, people often tend to buy sizes that do not compliment the size of their finger and therefore we are often asked about how to reduce or increase the size of rings.
To get your ring size changed, you can find a jewellery craftsman nearby and share your exact measurements with them. Further, you could get the ring size reduced by getting the extra length cut out from the ring and then getting the edges soldered back together. On the other hand, if you want to get the size of the ring increased, you could get the band sliced from below and polished further. Once done, the ring would need a few finishing touches depending on the design and would be perfect for you to adorn.
You can refer to our ring size chart, attached below, to assess your size for your past, current and future purchases. Follow these steps while you refer to the Ring sizing chart:
Use a ring you wear on the same finger as the one you need to size.
Match the inside edge of the ring to the circle closest in size.
Size up if you don’t get an exact match, or if you’re considering a band wider than 5mm. If you are still not fully satisfied, for an exact measurement, visit your jeweller.
How do they resize a ring smaller?
To get your ring size reduced, you can find a jewellery craftsman or a jewellery shop nearby and share your exact measurements with them. Further, the craftsman working on your ring could get the ring size reduced by getting the extra length cut out from the ring and then getting the edges soldered back together. If you want the craftsman to avoid treating the ring by soldering, you could just get the ring cut from below and get them pressed inwards. This way the ring would become adjustable so you can reduce or increase the size as per your convenience.
How long does it take to resize a ring?
Normally, it takes between a week or two to get a ring resized, while downsizing the ring may take a while longer than that. If you guessed the average ring size when buying an engagement ring, leave ample time for resizing. In reality, a jeweller can resize rings in as little as 10 minutes if they are on the spot.
Stainless steel rings will take longer to resize, because the metal has an extremely high melting point, and resizing requires specialised machinery that your local jeweller may not possess on-site. If your ring is made out of gold, silver, or platinum, chances are it can be resized fairly easily
How much can you resize a ring?
You can resize a ring for as many as 2-4 times. Depending on the delicacy, craftsmanship and structure of the ring, it can essentially be resized up to 2-5 sizes. Although ring resizing is always an option, there is a possibility that every time you resize it, it weakens slightly. It is therefore recommended to choose the perfect size for you while purchasing a ring so that resizing can be avoided for the maximum amount of time.
How much does it cost to resize a ring?
An experienced jeweller would be able to do the job and deliver in as little as two hours or it may also take as much as a month. The time is taken totally depends on how intricately a design has been made and crafted. Also, the experience of the craftsman working on it plays a major role in the time consumed and depending on the type of metal and region of the country you are in, the making cost varies.
Therefore, when asked how much does it cost to get a ring resized, we say that simpler designs could be resized for about £20, whereas designs with complexities and issues with resizing, the cost could go from £50 to £150 or even more.
Therefore the major cost deciding factors are listed below:
- Level of resizing required: How much bigger or smaller does it need to be?
- Metal type: What metal is the ring crafted in?
- How much metal needs to be manipulated?
- Design intricacy & complexity: How the stones and design elements of the ring will affect the new shape?
- How much work needs to be put in: Making a ring smaller will almost always cost less than making it larger because there are no costs for added materials.
- Experience & level of expertise of the craftsman or jeweller: More experienced means more accuracy, less time consumption and therefore lesser cost generally.
- Region or the country you are in: Prices vary from country to country and from one state to another
How to resize a ring at home?
If you are facing issues like your ring sliding off of your finger or it being so tight that it makes it difficult for you to slide out and cuts off blood circulation, it might be time to have it resized by a jeweller or you could try and “Do It Yourself”.
You could try the following DIY tricks:
- If the ring is larger in size, you could fix it temporarily by applying a tube of silicone sealant through the inner rim of your ring. You should choose a tube of clear silicone, preferably a food grade or aquarium grade silicone. Make sure to line the inner side of your ring with silicone in a way that the bottom part of the ring has the thickest application.
- In case the ring is smaller than the desired size, you could use a ring mandrel to slightly enlarge the ring size. All you have to do is start by lubricating the ring with soap to ensure that it easily slides onto a ring mandrel. Make sure the ring is evenly lubricated on all faces before sliding it on the mandrel.
- A ring mandrel is a graduated metal cone, which is used by jewellers to size rings and can be obtained easily from general stores nearby or online ones. Once the ring has been lubricated well, gently tap it with a wooden mallet or a small jewellery maker’s hammer.
- Make sure you cover the ring with a soft cloth to prevent damage from your strikes. Make sure you strike the ring gently and at a downward angle in a way that you essentially move the ring further down the mandrel. For an evenly stretched finish, don’t forget to turn the ring as you strike.
