Resizing Wide Wedding Bands: Narrowing The Ring

Wedding rings are often worn every day, so it's important to find one that's both comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. While wider bands can be more durable and make a bolder statement, they can also be less comfortable and more difficult to take on and off. Narrower bands, on the other hand, are more subtle and understated, and they tend to be more comfortable for daily wear. So, if you have a wide wedding ring that doesn't quite fit right, can it be narrowed?

Ring resizing methods

Resizing a Ring to Make it Smaller

To make a ring smaller, a jeweler will cut out a piece of the band, solder it back together, and then clean and polish it. This process leaves no evidence that the ring was ever cut. The leftover metal that is cut out is called the "cutout". It is a good idea to keep the cutout in case the ring needs to be made larger in the future.

Resizing a Ring to Make it Bigger

Making a ring larger is a little more complicated, especially if the size needs to increase significantly. If the ring needs to go up more than half a size, the band will need to be cut and an extra piece of metal added. If the ring only needs to be stretched by half a size, the metal can simply be stretched.

Types of Rings that Can Be Resized

Rings that have a minimum to zero stone settings are the best candidates for resizing. For a ring to be resized, it needs to be made of a metal that a jeweler can work with, such as silver, gold, or platinum.

Types of Rings that Cannot Be Resized

Eternity bands, tungsten bands, and titanium bands are typically avoided by jewelers due to their design and internal structure. Eternity bands have stones set all the way around, leaving no bare metal to work with. Tungsten is a metal that is too hard for jewelers to manipulate, and titanium is very difficult to work with.

Pros and cons of wide and thin bands

Wide and thin wedding bands each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Here is a list of pros and cons for each type of ring band:

Wide Bands:

Pros:

Wide bands have a modern and contemporary feel and complement modern settings, like a bezel. They are also more durable, allowing for a larger variety of metals to be used. They are ideal for unique design work, like fingerprints or deep channel settings.

Cons:

The biggest drawback of wide bands is the cost. More metal means a higher price for the band itself, and the larger size can add to the cost of the stone or setting. Wider bands also typically mean a bigger ring size, as the extra surface area makes it harder to fit comfortably over knuckles. These bands are also harder to resize due to the amount of metal used.

Thin Bands:

Pros:

Thin bands are less expensive, as less metal is used in their construction. They are ideal for showcaseing center stones and larger side stones, making these stones appear even more impressive. Thin bands also offer more design choices, such as twists or rope bands, which would be impractical on wider bands. They are easier to fit on the finger and simpler to resize.

Cons:

Thin bands are less durable and sturdy, so they may show more wear and tear over time. They may struggle with more elaborate settings or large stones, as the weight of the stones can move the band around on the finger. Certain design features, like channel settings or side stones, can be challenging to create due to limited space and surface area. Additionally, thin bands are more prone to bending under pressure and may not suit larger hands or fingers.

The choice between a wide and thin wedding band ultimately comes down to personal preference, taking into account factors such as comfort, style, durability, and cost.

How to measure your ring size

To work out your ring size, you can use a ring-measurement tool, a piece of string or paper, or a printable ring size chart.

Using a Ring-Measurement Tool

The most accurate way to measure your ring size is by using a ring-measurement tool. These can be purchased cheaply online. There are two types: a thin measuring tape, or a keyring lined with a gradient of ring sizes. The former can be looped around your finger and adjusted until it fits comfortably. The latter works like a set of ring sizers, with a different-sized metal loop for each ring size.

Using String or Paper

You can also measure your ring size at home with a piece of string or paper. Take a length of string or dental floss and wrap it around the base of your finger. Mark the point where the ends meet with a pen, then measure the length of the string with a ruler in millimetres. Divide this number by 3.14 (pi) to get the diameter of your finger. Then, find the corresponding size on a ring size chart.

Using a Printable Ring Size Chart

Another at-home method is to print out a true-to-size ring size chart and place a ring that fits you well over the circles until you find the one that matches the inside circumference of your ring.

Other Tips

• Your ring should be snug enough to stay on your finger, but loose enough to slide over your knuckle with some resistance.
• Measure your ring size at the end of the day, when your fingers are warm.
• If your knuckle is bigger than the base of your finger, measure both places and pick a size in between.
• Measure your ring size 3-4 times for accuracy.
• Measure the finger you want to wear the ring on.

Choosing a ring width for your finger size

When choosing a ring, it's important to consider not only the size of the ring but also the width of the band. The width of a ring band is a matter of personal preference, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that your ring is comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.

Firstly, the width of the ring band can affect comfort, especially if you plan to wear it every day. Generally, narrower bands are more comfortable for daily wear, while wider bands may be more suitable for special occasions or infrequent wear. Wider bands can be harder to take on and off and often require sizing up, especially if you have larger knuckles. Narrower bands are typically more comfortable for those with larger knuckles, as the ring can fit tightly over the knuckle while remaining loose at the base of the finger.

Secondly, the width of the ring band should be proportionate to the size of your finger. Wider bands tend to suit larger fingers, while narrower bands are more appropriate for smaller fingers. If you have small hands or thin fingers, a wider band may look overwhelming, whereas a wider band will complement larger hands.

Thirdly, the width of the ring band can affect the overall style of the ring. Wider bands make a bolder statement and have a modern and contemporary feel, while narrower bands are more subtle and understated.

If you plan to pair your ring with other jewellery, such as an engagement ring, consider how the widths will coordinate. Mixing widths can create a unique and interesting look, especially when stacking rings. However, if you want your rings to have a cohesive and symmetrical look, it is generally recommended to match the widths.

Additionally, if you plan to have your ring engraved, a wider band will provide more space for engravings and designs.

The most common width for a ring band is between 2mm and 4mm, as this range is comfortable, versatile, and suitable for most ring styles. However, this is just a generalization, and you may prefer a wider or narrower width depending on your personal preference and finger size.

Remember, the most important factor is your happiness with the ring. Take your time, try on different widths, and choose what is best for your comfort and style preference.

Making a ring smaller without resizing

Making a ring smaller without official resizing can be tricky, but there are several methods you can try. Firstly, it's important to assess how much smaller the ring needs to be. If it needs to be reduced by more than half a size, it's best to take it to a professional jeweller. However, if the change is less than that, you can try some at-home methods.

One way is to wrap the band with masking tape at the spot where it needs resizing, so that you don't scratch or damage the metal while filing. Then, use a metal file to gently file down the metal around the entire band until it has been reduced in size by your desired amount. Be sure to only file a little at a time, as this could weaken the metal and cause it to break. Once you're done, polish the ring with some jewellery cleaner, then buff it with a cloth or soft brush.

Another method is to tie a knot in the band. Depending on the material, you can use either thread or fishing line. Slide one end of your chosen material inside the band and knot it around itself. Then, tighten the ends and secure them with nail glue or superglue. This should reduce the size of your ring by about one-quarter to one-half inch, but be sure to test it first, as some bands may not handle much tension before breaking.

If your ring has prongs, you can try gently squeezing them with your fingers or a pair of pliers to make the ring fit more snugly. However, be careful not to apply too much pressure, as this could cause the prongs to break.

If you're feeling more adventurous, you can try cutting the ring in half with a fine-toothed saw and then soldering the two pieces together with a soldering iron and solder wire. This method works best on gold or silver rings, as other materials may not hold up well when heated.

If you don't want to risk damaging your ring, you can try using tape to reshape it. First, measure the circumference of your finger and the ring. Then, wrap masking tape or another strong adhesive tape around the inside of the ring, slightly overlapping the layers to keep them secure. Next, use pliers to carefully bend the ring's edges inward until you reach your desired size. Finally, remove the tape, and your ring is ready to wear!

If all else fails, you can always add an insert or sizing beads to the bottom of the ring. This involves cutting away part of the inside of the ring and inserting a metal piece between the two ends. This method typically requires the precision of a professional jeweller, but it is relatively quick and inexpensive.

It's important to remember that while these methods can be effective, they may not be suitable for all types of rings. Some rings, especially those made of certain metals or with specific designs, may be difficult or unsafe to resize at home. In these cases, it's always best to consult a professional jeweller to avoid damaging your ring or voiding any warranties.

Frequently asked questions