Resizing Diamond Wedding Bands: Is It Possible?

Wedding bands can often be resized, especially those made from malleable metals like gold, platinum, and silver. However, it is important to note that resizing is generally easier for simpler designs and involves cutting the band to make it smaller or stretching/adding metal to make it larger. Rings with intricate designs or made from harder materials like tungsten, titanium, or ceramic may pose challenges or be impossible to resize. Eternity bands, for example, are difficult to resize as they feature a continuous ring of diamonds, and adjusting the size would require adding or removing individual stones. When considering resizing a wedding band, it is crucial to consult a skilled jeweller to ensure the integrity and design of the ring are maintained.

Resizing a diamond wedding band is possible but challenging

Resizing a diamond wedding band is possible, but it can be challenging. The process will depend on the type of diamond ring you have, the complexity of the design, and the resizing method required. Here are some factors to consider:

Ring Design Complexity

Rings with intricate designs, detailed engravings, or patterns that wrap around the entire band can be difficult to resize. The resizing process may disrupt the design, causing misalignment or compromising the ring's appearance. Eternity bands, for example, have diamonds or gemstones encircling the entire band, making them among the most challenging rings to resize.

Metal Type

The metal type of your diamond wedding band will play a significant role in the resizing process. Softer and more malleable metals like gold, platinum, and silver are generally easier to resize. These metals can be manipulated without a significant risk of damage. On the other hand, harder materials like tungsten, titanium, and ceramic are more challenging or even impossible to resize. Titanium rings, for instance, are usually crafted from a solid piece of metal, requiring special techniques for resizing.

Resizing Techniques

Resizing a ring typically involves either reducing or increasing its size. Reducing the ring size is generally easier and involves cutting a small section of the band and rejoining the ends. Increasing the ring size, on the other hand, can be more complex. It may involve stretching the band or adding additional metal, which can be more time-consuming and costly.

Stone Settings

If your diamond wedding band has stones, the jeweller must ensure they remain secure and aligned during and after resizing. Various stone settings, such as prong, channel, and bezel settings, pose unique challenges. Adjustments may be needed to ensure the stones' security and proper placement. Additionally, some gemstones are heat-sensitive, so the jeweller must avoid exposing them to high temperatures during the resizing process.

Ring Shape and Design

The shape and design of the ring can also impact the resizing process. For example, Euro Shank rings, which have a flat, squared-off bottom, may require more metal for resizing, increasing the cost. Wide bands may also affect the fit and the overall cost of resizing.

In summary, while it is possible to resize a diamond wedding band, it can be challenging due to the various factors mentioned above. Consulting with a skilled jeweller is crucial to determining the feasibility of resizing your ring and ensuring the process is done correctly without compromising the ring's design or integrity.

It is easier to resize simpler designs

Resizing a ring is a common procedure and it can be done for various reasons, such as weight gain or weight loss. The complexity of the resizing depends on factors like the intricacy of the design, the type of metal, and the presence of gemstones.

For rings with simpler designs, resizing is generally easier. When making a ring smaller, the jeweller typically cuts out a small portion of the band and joins the pieces back together. This process is simpler than making the ring larger. In the case of simple ring designs with plain bands, resizing is relatively straightforward. The jeweller cuts the band, rejoins the ends, and polishes the ring to remove any signs of the resizing process.

However, for rings with intricate designs or those that carry a pattern around the entire band, resizing can be more challenging. Altering the size of the ring may require remaking the design completely. Additionally, resizing a ring with multiple stones may involve moving the diamonds or gems to balance the setting and maintain the ring's beauty.

It is important to consult a skilled jeweller when considering resizing a ring. They can advise on the feasibility of the process and ensure that the ring's integrity and design are maintained.

Harder materials like tungsten and ceramic are difficult to resize

The high melting point of tungsten further complicates the resizing process. Traditional resizing methods involve heating the metal to make it more malleable, but tungsten's melting point is much higher than that of gold or silver, making this approach impractical for most jewellers. Additionally, tungsten carbide's hardness makes it impossible to resize without causing damage or compromising the integrity of the ring.

Ceramic wedding bands, made from a tough and durable material, also cannot be resized. Their hardness makes them highly scratch-resistant, but it also means that resizing is impossible. Harder materials, such as tungsten and ceramic, are generally chosen for their durability and scratch resistance. However, their toughness also means they lack the malleability needed for resizing.

When considering a wedding band made from harder materials like tungsten or ceramic, it is crucial to ensure you purchase from a retailer that offers a lifetime resizing guarantee. This way, if your ring size changes, you can return your old ring and receive a new one in the same style at no additional cost. Some jewellers may offer size exchanges, allowing you to exchange your ring for a larger or smaller size within a specified timeframe.

Titanium rings can be resized, but only to a certain extent

Titanium rings are a popular choice for wedding bands due to their affordability, durability, and scratch resistance. While it is generally recommended to get the correct size before ordering, it is possible to resize titanium rings to a certain extent.

Titanium rings are crafted from a solid piece of titanium, which means that resizing involves reshaping rather than melting the metal. This process has its limitations, and certain styles of titanium rings should not be resized. These include rings with inlays or gemstone settings and ultra-thin rings, as stretching or compressing the metal is likely to damage the shape of inlays and settings.

To make a titanium ring larger, jewellers can carefully shave off the inside surface of the ring to create more room for the finger. This method can typically increase the ring measurement by up to half a size, and sometimes even up to two sizes, depending on the grade of titanium and the tools available. However, this process will likely result in the loss of any interior inscription.

If a ring needs to be made significantly smaller, it may need to be re-crafted. In some cases, jewellers can add a thin liner to the ring's interior to make it slightly smaller, but this can be a challenging and expensive process. Another option is to use sizing bead inserts, which are placed on the inside lining of the ring, but this may not be the most attractive or comfortable option for a wedding band.

While resizing titanium rings is possible to a certain degree, it is important to consult with a skilled jeweller to determine the best course of action and ensure that the ring's integrity is maintained during the process.

Eternity bands cannot be resized

Eternity bands, or diamond eternity rings, are forged from a continuous ring of diamonds. This means that resizing is not possible without adding or removing individual stones. While not impossible, resizing eternity bands is a complex and demanding procedure that requires a highly skilled jeweller.

The resizing process involves removing stones to create an area for the jeweller to work on. When reducing the ring size, the jeweller takes out stones until the ring is approximately the correct size, then removes the excess metal and closes the opening with solder. When increasing the ring size, the jeweller must open up the ring by taking out a stone, add metal until the ring is the correct size, and then create new settings for the number of stones needed to cover the blank area of metal.

The complexity of resizing eternity bands means that many jewellers are deterred by the process, and customers are often told that their ring cannot be resized. However, this is not necessarily the case, and resizing is possible in some instances.

The metal type, stone type, and stone setting type of an eternity band can affect whether it can be resized. For example, rings made from stainless steel are very difficult to size due to the extremely high heating point needed to cut into the metal. Eternity bands containing soft gems such as opals and emeralds cannot withstand the heat exposure during the resizing process. Channel-set stones will also not look the same after resizing and may be difficult to work with. On the other hand, prong or bezel-set eternity bands are much easier to size because the stones can be easily reset if they fall out.

Resizing eternity bands can be a costly process due to the additional labour involved. The price is affected by the type of metal, the number of sizes up or down, and the need for any new stones to be set into the ring.

Frequently asked questions