While resizing an engagement ring is actually a fairly common practice, most people don’t know much about the resizing process so they have a lot of questions if they ever do have to get their ring resized. Today we take a look at the most common questions people ask about resizing their rings and the process it involves.

How do you know if your engagement ring needs to be resized?

There are four common sense signs that indicate that you need your engagement ring resized: 1) if it doesn’t fit over the knuckle; 2) if it squeezes the finger so tightly that it’s uncomfortable to wear; 3) if it can be spun or turned around the finger while wearing it; and 4) if the ring can slide off the finger. Note that the wrong ring size isn’t the only reason that a ring might slide off the finger, as sometimes the design itself is the problem, but whatever the reason, rings that slide off easily need to be fixed promptly unless you want to risk experiencing that nauseating feeling of losing your engagement ring. And we’re pretty sure no one wants that. On the other hand, why do people need to resize their rings in the first place? Weren’t they the right size when they bought them? As it turns out, there are plenty of reasons someone might need to resize an engagement ring.

Reasons for resizing a engagement ring

One common reason for resizing engagement rings is weight gain or weight loss, which could cause your ring not to sit well on your finger. Even the weather can affect your ring size if you suddenly find yourself living in much colder or hotter climates. In addition, sometimes engagement rings need to be resized because it is a family heirloom and was worn previously by someone with a different ring size. With heirloom rings, wearers can choose to resize the ring, or if they prefer, they can create a new ring using elements of the original jewelry.

Surprise proposals

Surprise proposals are yet another common reason that engagement rings need to be resized. As lovely and special as surprise proposals are, if the wrong ring size measurement was used to buy or create the ring, the ring will have to have to be resized in order to be worn. Obviously, it’s best to avoid the problem of the wrong ring size with surprise proposals, so here are a couple tips for getting the right ring size while keeping the proposal a surprise:

• Ask your significant other’s friends or family members if they know the right ring size.
• Borrow a ring (for the ring finger) belonging to your significant other and then use it to get the measurement. You can use our free printable ring size guide to determine the ring size once you have the ring.
• Just guess the ring size. However, if you take this approach, remember that it’s better to size up than size down, in case the ring ultimately does have to be resized.

Can resizing a ring cause it to be damaged?

Much like a fine suit or dress that needs to be tailored or altered to fit the person who is going to wear it, rings sometimes need adjusting too. Also, just as you would use a professional tailor or dressmaker to alter your fine clothing, resizing an engagement ring should only be done by a professional jeweler. When done properly by a professional, resizing a ring won’t cause damage to a ring’s integrity or appearance.

Are there any reasons why a ring can’t be resized?

While most rings can be resized without a problem, there are some that are better not to resize:

• Eternity bands: Unless they’re half eternity bands, eternity bands don’t have enough exposed metal for the jeweler to work with in order to resize the ring.
• Tension rings: Because tension settings hold the gemstone in place by the pressure placed on it from the two ends of the ring, resizing the ring would destroy the tension.
• Rings made from very hard or rigid materials generally should not be resized because they can crack more easily. Rose gold and tungsten are good examples of metals that should not be resized. In contrast, rings made from yellow gold, stainless steel or platinum are good for resizing.
• Rings with intricate designs or detailed shanks or shanks with a continual design shouldn’t be resized either. Resizing these types of rings can ruin their design pattern.

So what’s the ring resizing process?

There are several methods available for resizing rings and which method is used depends on the objective. The different methods are described below:

• If the ring is too large, the jeweler will cut out a piece of the shank or band and then carefully solder it back together again so that the shank retains its original shape. The jeweler will then clean and polish the ring so there is no evidence of the resizing process.
• If the ring is too small, the jeweler will cut the bottom of the ring and add the appropriate amount of metal to the band to achieve the desired size. This must also be done in a careful and precise manner so that the result does not show any obvious signs of resizing. The cleaning and polishing of a ring after its been resized (whether to a larger or smaller size) is a crucial step in the resizing process as this is what makes the resizing unnoticeable and what will keep the ring looking beautiful.
• There is also a process called stretching that can be used to make a ring larger, whereby the metal at the bottom of the ring is heated and stretched until it reaches the desired size. However, most jewelers prefer not to use this method since it can damage the integrity or strength of the ring and cannot be used for rings with gemstones.

Whether going smaller or larger, however, keep in mind that engagement rings can typically be adjusted up or down two sizes, but not more, otherwise there will be too much pressure on the setting, which can cause it damage.

Other options for resizing a ring

Some people prefer not to cut or add metal to their ring whether for personal preferences or because the ring itself isn’t suited for resizing. In these cases, there are a couple of other options. One of these is to use sizing beads which are tiny, unnoticeable beads that are attached inside your ring band and effectively lessen the gap between your finger and the ring. The problem with this option is that it can make the ring uncomfortable to wear. Another option is a ring guard which is just a rubber tube that, like the beads, decreases the gap between your ring and the finger. However, this option should only be temporary because it can warp the shape of the ring over time. Probably the best option is to hold the engagement ring in place by wearing a tighter fitting, complementary ring on the same finger. This is both a practical as well as attractive option, especially if you like the look of stacked rings.

How long does it take to resize a ring?

Uncomplicated resizes can take as little as a day to complete, but more complicated resizes such as those with recurring designs, can take up to one to two weeks to complete.

How much does it cost to resize an engagement ring?

Much like making a custom made ring, the cost of resizing a ring will depend upon the number of gemstones used in the ring, the type of metal used, the degree of complexity, the thickness of the ring and how much smaller or larger you want it to go. For increasing the size, assume that the jeweler will need to add more material to the ring to enlarge it. As a result, increases in size usually cost more than decreases in size.

By the way, if you buy a ring from Jewelrythis and need it resized, we will do it for you for free.

Consult your jeweler

If your engagement ring needs to be resized, we highly recommend that you consult a jeweler, see what your options are, find out what the cost will be and then take it from there. If you have any questions about your engagement ring, feel free to contact us.

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