How To Resize Your Wedding Band: Enlarging Possibilities

Wedding bands are often laden with sentiment and emotion, but what happens when the ring no longer fits? Wedding rings can be enlarged, but there are limitations. Rings can typically be resized by up to two sizes, and some metals are easier to work with than others. Silver, gold, and platinum rings are usually simple to resize, but tungsten and titanium are too tough to manipulate. There are several methods for enlarging a ring, including stretching, adding metal, and using a ring guard. The best method depends on the ring's material and design.

Ring stretching

To stretch a ring, a jeweller will use a ring-stretching machine. The ring is slipped onto a mandrel-like appendage of the machine and a lever is used to crank the machine until the ring is the correct size.

Stretching a ring will make the metal thinner and weaker, so it should only be done by a professional. It is also important to note that the width of the ring may decrease as a result of the stretching process.

An alternative method of enlarging a ring is to heat the bottom part of the ring and stretch it. However, this method can easily ruin the ring's quality, so many jewellers avoid it.

For rings with more complex designs or made from harder metals, other methods of resizing may be required, such as cutting the ring and soldering on an additional piece of metal.

Sizing beads

The sizing bead method involves the jeweller bypassing the cutting process by soldering two metal beads (typically sterling silver) to the interior of the ring. The beads fill in the gap between your finger and the ring, allowing you to wear it at the right size without fear of it falling off. Sizing beads can make a ring up to three sizes smaller. While it is possible to add larger beads to size it down further, the end result may look a little odd as the space between the finger and the ring will be very visible.

It is important to note that sizing beads cannot be stuck to certain metals such as ceramic carbide, tungsten, or titanium, as these metals do not react to the soldering process. Additionally, certain coloured coatings on bands are flammable and may change colour or react oddly to the soldering process. Therefore, it is important to consult a reputable jeweller to determine the best method for resizing a ring.

Adding a ring guard

The process of adding a ring guard is straightforward. First, you will need to select the appropriate size of the ring guard for your ring. Then, place the ring guard with the arms curved upward. Position the ring shank inside the curved arm of the ring guard. Push down on the ring guard so that it moulds to the shape of the shank, ensuring that the shank rests at the back of the guard's arm for the best fit.

Next, use pliers to tighten the ring guard arm to the ring shank in a circular motion. Repeat this process until the ring guard arm has gone all the way around the inside of the ring shank, clamping down to secure it in place. Once both arms of the ring guard are attached, you can adjust the size of the ring by pushing up or down on the middle band of the ring guard.

Ring guards are a great solution for those with occasional swelling of the fingers, as they can be easily adjusted to ensure a comfortable fit. They are also useful for rings that tend to slide off the finger, as they provide a tighter fit. Additionally, ring guards can be used temporarily on children's rings, allowing the ring to be worn for special occasions without the risk of losing it as the child grows.

Ring shank replacement

The first step in ring shank replacement is to assess the damage. If the ring has a small cut, the jeweller will simply solder the shank back together. However, if the ring is missing a large portion or has a thin band, the repair process becomes more complicated.

In some cases, the jeweller may need to cut and remove the entire shank before attaching a new, thicker and more durable one. This process is known as a full-shank replacement. If the ring has a thin shank, a half-shank replacement may be sufficient, where only a portion of the original shank is replaced.

The cost of ring shank replacement depends on several factors, including the extent of the damage, the number of sizes going up or down, and the type of metal used. Replacing a shank is generally more expensive than other resizing methods, as the jeweller needs to supply a solid piece of precious metal for the replacement.

It is important to choose a reputable jeweller for ring shank replacement, as it is a delicate process that requires precision and expertise. The jeweller will assess the ring's material, design, and condition to determine the best approach for the replacement.

Adding a ring sizer

• Clean your hand with room temperature water and dry it properly.
• Take the tip of the ring sizer and push it through the buckle to make a loop.
• Put the loop on your finger and tighten it.
• Ensure that the sizer can come on and off your finger with some resistance.
• To read your finger size, look at the arrow on the buckle. The line on the right edge of a number indicates a full size, and the line on the left edge indicates a half size.
• Double-check by confirming the numbers adjacent to your chosen size.

While adding a ring sizer is a great option, it is important to note that not all rings can be resized. If your ring has a design that goes all the way around the band, a jeweller may suggest adding a small piece of metal to the band to maintain the design while making the ring larger. It is also important to choose a reputable jeweller to resize your wedding ring as resizing is a delicate process that requires precision and expertise.

Frequently asked questions