How To Resize Your Wedding Ring To A Larger Size

If your wedding ring feels too tight or too loose, resizing it is a possibility. You can resize a ring by yourself at home or by consulting a professional jeweler. While resizing a ring by yourself is inexpensive, it is always best to consult a professional to get the job done, especially if your ring has intricate designs and rare gemstones.

Using a ring stretcher tool

Ring stretchers come in many different forms and prices vary enormously. For example, the Rathburn ring stretcher is a great value option for those needing a portable solution for stretching rings at craft fairs or in a limited workspace area. It is a small and portable jewellery tool that is ideal for both beginner jewellery makers and expert jewellers to increase the size of a ring.

• Check the size of the ring you want to stretch. The Rathburn ring stretcher is only suitable for use with ring sizes P, R, U, W, Z, Z+3 and Z+5.
• Place the ring onto the ring resizer, ensuring it sits flat on the tool.
• Hit the central shaft of the ring stretcher with a hammer, using only a single blow initially. The outer sides of the tool will expand out, stretching out the ring to a larger size.
• Take the ring off the tool, re-check the size and then repeat the process if necessary to ensure you reach the right fit.

Tips for Using a Ring Stretcher:

• Measure the ring carefully before attempting to stretch it, and be clear about the size you want to achieve before you start.
• Do not use a ring stretcher with rings that have stones. You risk serious damage to both the stone and the ring. Only use ring stretchers with plain ring bands.
• Always anneal a ring before trying to stretch it, to make it more pliable and less liable to snap.
• Do not try to stretch the ring too far. The general rule of thumb is to stretch no more than two sizes, and only if the ring is thick enough to withstand the stretch.

Using a steel mandrel

Stretching a ring is a simple task that can be done at home or by a professional jeweller. If you wish to stretch your wedding ring using a steel mandrel, follow these steps:

Firstly, purchase a steel mandrel, which is a tapered rod that jewellers use for sizing rings. You can buy one at a hardware store or online. It is important to note that you will need a steel mandrel, not a plastic one, as it needs to withstand your hammer taps.

Next, place your ring on the mandrel at the narrow end, and slide it down as far as it goes without forcing it on. You can also use a bench pin to secure your steel mandrel to your table, but it is not necessary as you can also just hold the mandrel.

Then, tap all the way around the ring with a rawhide hammer. Tap the ring with the hammer at the top of the ring, not the side. Rotate the ring as you tap it, so that you are hitting all sides evenly. Stop tapping when you’ve tapped a full circle around the ring. Remember to use the same amount of pressure for each tap, so that your ring stays even. Your hammer strokes should be parallel with the mandrel, so that you’re gently pushing the ring further down toward the thicker end.

After that, flip the ring over and tap it on the other side. Since the mandrel is tapered, if you only tap on one side of the ring, it will become uneven. To adjust for this, remove the ring from the steel mandrel and tap the top of the ring with the rawhide hammer, just as you did before. Stop tapping when you’ve gone all the way around once.

Finally, continue hammering and flipping the ring until it is the right size. You may have to do this several times. Check how far the ring has slid down the mandrel after each round of hammering. It is important to remember that it is easy to stretch your ring, but harder to shrink it, so stretch it in small increments.

Stretching a ring is an uncomplicated task, but it does have some risks. Every time you stretch a ring, there is a chance that the metal will break down in a weaker spot. Additionally, stretching a ring can weaken the overall structural integrity and possibly distort its shape. Therefore, it is important to be careful when stretching your ring and consider getting professional help if you are unsure.

Sizing down with silicone

Step 1: Clean the Ring

First, you need to clean your ring thoroughly. You can soak it in a solution of hot water and dishwashing soap, or use a special jewellery cleaner that is safe for gold and precious stones. Use a soft toothbrush or the brush that comes with the cleaner to scrub the metal and any stones set on the ring. Then, dry the ring with a soft cloth, as a paper towel can scratch the metal. Avoid using cleaners with bleach, acetone, or chlorine, as these can damage the ring's metal band.

Step 2: Apply Silicone

Next, use a coffee stirrer stick to apply a clear silicone sealant, such as food-grade or aquarium-grade silicone, inside the ring. The bottom part of the ring should have the thickest application. Unless the ring is very loose on your finger, use a small amount of silicone.

Step 3: Smooth the Silicone

Use the coffee stirrer stick to smooth out the silicone. As the silicone will be directly against your skin, try to make it as smooth as possible. Run the stick along the inside of the ring until the silicone is smooth. You can use a wet paper towel to clean any silicone that gets on the outside of the ring.

Step 4: Let the Silicone Cure

Depending on the type of silicone you use, let it cure for 24 to 48 hours. Do not wear your ring during this time, as it will take longer for the silicone to cure and it might dislodge. If you need to remove the silicone, simply scratch it off with your fingernail.

Tips for Sizing Down with Silicone

• If your ring is sliding off your finger, it might be time to resize it.
• If your ring has stones or other markings, make sure they are centred on top of your finger when marking the centre of the band.
• Silicone rings fit differently than metal rings. Metal rings don't stretch or flex, so they need to come in more sizes to ensure a good fit. Silicone rings are made of a flexible material that can stretch, so they may feel snug at first, but the stretch will help them adjust to your finger.
• If your measurements fall between two sizes, it's okay to choose the size below, as silicone rings will stretch over time.
• The best time to measure your ring size is at the end of the day, when your fingers are likely to be their largest.

Using pliers to cut and stretch

Step 1: Put on the Ring and Mark the Center of the Band

Do not force the ring on; it is fine if the ring sits above the knuckle at this point. Use a marker to mark the underside of the ring along the centre.

Step 2: Cut the Ring with Pliers

Use wire cutters or pliers with a cutting edge to cut along the line you drew on the ring. Apply pressure smoothly to ensure an even cut.

Step 3: Bend the Ring Open

Gently bend the ring open with flat-nose pliers. Bend both sides of the ring to keep it as even as possible.

Step 4: File the Cut Edges

Use a metalworking file or a nail file to file down the cut edges. You want to make sure the ends are flat so that they do not scratch your finger. You can also use a nail buffer to smooth the edges after filing them down.

Step 5: Try on the Ring

Try on the ring to check the size. The ring should fit comfortably but not move on your finger, and the open edges should not dig into your finger when you move it.

Step 6: Repeat as Needed

If the ring is still too tight, remove it and widen it further with the pliers. Repeat steps 3 to 5 until you are satisfied with the size.

Tips:

• Bending the ring too much can cause it to snap, so be gentle.
• Avoid only bending each side of the ring in one place. Instead, move the pliers around the ring to give a better shape and minimise the risk of breaking.
• Failure to properly file the cut edges can result in the ring scratching your finger, especially when trying to remove it.

Getting it professionally resized

If you want to get your wedding ring professionally resized, you should take it to a jeweller. They will be able to resize your ring by either cutting out a small portion of the band and then soldering the ends back together, or by stretching the metal using a ring mandrel and a hammer.

The cost of resizing will depend on the type of metal, the complexity of the task, and the amount of labour required. It always costs more to enlarge a ring because metal is added. The thicker the ring, the higher the price to resize. The presence of diamonds on the band will also make resizing more complicated and expensive.

Rings can typically be adjusted up to two sizes larger or smaller. However, some rings cannot be resized because the metals they are made with are prone to breakage or are otherwise difficult to work with. This includes rings made of titanium, cobalt, tungsten carbide, stainless steel, and sometimes rose gold. Non-metallic rings, such as those made of resin, crystal, or ceramic, also cannot be resized.

Frequently asked questions