How To Resize Your Wedding Ring To Make It Bigger

Wedding rings are a symbol of love and commitment, but over time, people may find that their rings no longer fit comfortably on their fingers. This can be due to weight changes, swelling, or changes in finger size. Luckily, wedding rings can be made bigger, depending on the material and design of the ring. The resizing process can be done in several ways, including ring stretching, adding sizing beads or a ring guard, replacing the shank, or adding a ring sizer. However, it's important to note that not all rings can be resized, especially those with intricate designs or certain types of metal. The cost and timing of resizing vary depending on the complexity of the process and the type of ring.

Ring stretching

While ring stretching is a simpler process than ring cutting, it is not used as widely because it is incompatible with many ring designs and can damage the ring. Rings with stones, patterns, engravings, enamel, plating, and non-circular shapes should not be resized using this method. Additionally, only sterling silver, gold, and platinum bands can be stretched; tungsten and ceramic carbide rings cannot.

If you have a simple ring without any stones, you may be able to stretch it at home using a ring stretcher tool or a steel mandrel. However, it is important to note that stretching a ring at home can be risky, as it puts stress on the metal and there is a chance the ring might snap. It is always best to consult a professional jeweller for ring resizing.

Sizing beads

The sizing bead method is also a good option for people with large or swollen knuckles, as it allows enough space for the ring to fit over the knuckle while minimising the spacious fit when worn. The beads can decrease the size of the ring by up to three sizes, but any larger beads will make the space between the finger and the ring very visible.

The cost of sterling silver sizing beads is usually around $35, while gold beads may cost around $40. The turnaround time is typically one day, but other finishing work, such as polishing or plating, may increase the amount of work required.

Adding a ring guard

A ring guard is a removable band that fits around your wedding ring, supporting and protecting it. It prevents the ring from slipping or twisting on your finger. It can also add beauty and drama to your ring, making your finger sparkle even brighter!

Ring guards are a good option if you have a large knuckle, as they can help the ring stay in place comfortably. They are also a good choice if you want to add more beauty and drama to your ring.

Ring guards are usually made of the same materials as your wedding ring, such as white gold, rose gold, yellow gold, or platinum. They can be customised with different types of metal and stones, such as diamonds, blue sapphires, and moissanite.

When choosing a ring guard, you can opt for a double-banded insert guard ring or a single curved guard ring. Your engagement ring simply slides into place and can be removed like a regular wedding band. Some people choose to make the match permanent and have their set welded by a jeweller.

Ring shank replacement

If your wedding ring no longer fits, you can take it to a jeweler to be resized. The process of making a ring bigger is more complicated than making it smaller, but it can be done. If your ring is too small, a jeweler can stretch the band or cut the band and add more metal.

If your ring has a thin band, it may not be durable enough for daily wear after resizing. In this case, you may need to consider a ring shank replacement. This is a more extensive and laborious process, but it can be necessary for rings with thin shanks or missing portions. A ring shank replacement involves attaching a large, thick portion of metal to the area that needs to be replaced. Depending on the damage, a ring may need a quarter-shank, half-shank, or full-shank replacement.

The cost of a ring shank replacement depends on the materials and labor required. The price is influenced by the extent of the damage, the number of sizes the ring is being adjusted, and the type of metal. For example, sterling silver is at the lower end of the price range, while gold starts at a minimum of $100. The price also increases with the thickness of the shank, as more metal is required.

It's important to note that not all rings can be resized or repaired. For example, tungsten and ceramic rings cannot be fixed once they have been cracked or cut off a finger. Additionally, there are limitations to how much a ring can be resized, with jewelers only able to resize a ring a maximum of two sizes up or down.

Adding a ring sizer

• Clean your hand with room temperature water and dry it properly.
• Insert the ring sizer end into the buckle and tighten it around the finger you want to size.
• Tighten the ring sizer until it is tight enough not to fall off your finger, but not so tight that it hurts.
• Clench your finger while the ring sizer is on. The sizer may adjust, and that is fine.
• Without loosening the belt, try to remove the ring sizer. It should easily slide over your knuckles.
• Read the number on the belt to determine your ring size. The arrow on the buckle will point to a line on the right edge of a number, indicating a full size, or to a line on the left edge, indicating a half size.
• Do not squeeze the ring sizer too tight onto your finger.
• Calculate the size for the correct ring thickness. The ring sizer has a width of 5mm, so if your ring has a width under 8mm, the measurement from the sizer should be accurate. If the ring band is thicker than 8mm, you will need to add a quarter size larger for every 3mm thicker the band is.
• Do not measure your fingers when you are sick, have swollen or cut fingers, are pregnant, or have moisturiser on your fingers.
• Consult a jeweller if the ring sizer cannot slide over your knuckles without changing sizes.

A ring sizer is the most accurate way to measure your ring size, but there are other methods you can use to measure your ring size at home. One way is to take a length of floss or string and wrap it around the base of your finger. Mark where the floss or string first overlaps with a pen, then stretch the string out along a ruler or measuring tape to get the circumference of your finger. Divide the circumference by pi to get the diameter, and use a ring size chart to compare the diameter of your finger to standard ring sizes.

Frequently asked questions