How To Resize Your Wedding Ring To A Larger Fit

Wedding rings can be resized to make them bigger, depending on the material and design of the ring. There are several methods for resizing a ring, including ring stretching, adding sizing beads or a ring guard, replacing the shank, or adding a ring sizer. Ring stretching involves using a tool to expand the metal of the ring and is suitable for softer metals such as gold or silver. Sizing beads are small metal balls that can be soldered onto the inside of the ring to make it fit more snugly. A ring guard, on the other hand, is a thin piece of metal placed inside the ring to create a tighter fit. For more complex ring designs or durable metals such as platinum or titanium, a jeweler may suggest replacing the entire shank with a larger one. It is important to note that not all rings can be resized, especially those with intricate designs or certain types of metals like tungsten or titanium. Resizing a ring typically costs between $20 to hundreds of dollars, depending on the complexity of the process and the type of metal.

Ring stretching

• Find the size of your ring and the size of the finger you want to wear it on.
• Use a ring stretcher tool or a steel mandrel to stretch the ring. If using a ring stretcher, slide the hollow bottom of the stretcher into its base.
• Place the ring around the mandrel and insert the pin.
• Use a rawhide hammer to gently hammer the top of the stretcher.
• Check the size of the ring by trying it on your finger. If it is still too small, hammer it again.

It is important to note that ring stretching should only be done on simple rings without any stones or engravings. Stretching a ring with stones may cause them to pop off, and stretching a ring with an engraving may distort the pattern. If you cannot stretch your ring at home, it is best to get it done professionally by a jeweler.

Additionally, it is important to be cautious when stretching a ring, as it can only be stretched up to half a size bigger. Stretching the ring too much will weaken the metal and may even cause it to break. Jewelers have other methods for enlarging rings, such as cutting the ring open and adding metal, which can achieve a larger size increase.

Overall, ring stretching is a useful technique for making a wedding ring bigger, but it should be done carefully and with the right tools to avoid damaging the ring.

Sizing beads

The cost of sizing beads is typically low, with some people reporting a cost of around $40. In some cases, sizing beads may be provided for free by the jeweller.

Adding a ring guard

Ring guards are a good option if you only need to adjust your ring by a small amount, as they are a more temporary solution compared to resizing. They are also a good choice if you are concerned about preserving the original condition of your ring, as they do not require any cutting, soldering, or polishing of the ring itself.

When choosing a ring guard, you can select from a variety of metals to match your ring, including gold, silver, platinum, and titanium. You can also choose a ring guard with or without diamonds or other gemstones, depending on your personal style and the level of "sparkle" you desire.

It is important to note that while ring guards are a convenient solution for adjusting the fit of your ring, they should not be worn for an extended period of time as they can damage the band if worn too long. Additionally, if your ring has intricate designs or stones that go all the way around the band, a ring guard may not be the best option as it could interfere with the design or stones. In such cases, a jeweller may suggest alternative solutions such as adding a small piece of metal to the band to increase the size while maintaining the design.

Ring shank replacement

The process of ring shank replacement is more labour-intensive and expensive compared to other ring resizing methods. The cost will depend on the type of metal used, the complexity of the design, and the thickness of the new shank. For example, replacing a thin shank with a thicker one will require more metal and labour, increasing the overall cost.

During the ring shank replacement process, the jeweller will first assess the extent of the damage and determine whether a partial or full shank replacement is necessary. In some cases, only a quarter or half of the shank may need to be replaced. The jeweller will then cut away the old shank and custom-make a new, thicker, and wider section that is soldered into place. Finally, the ring is shaped, polished, and finished to ensure there are no visible signs of repair.

It is important to note that not all rings can be resized using the ring shank replacement method. Eternity bands, for instance, have stones set all the way around the band, leaving no bare metal to work with. Similarly, rings made of certain materials, such as tungsten, titanium, and stainless steel, are challenging or impossible to resize due to their material properties.

Adding a ring sizer

• Clean your hand with room temperature water and then dry it properly.
• Insert the ring sizer end into the buckle and tighten it around the finger you want to size.
• Tighten until it is tight enough not to fall off your finger, but not so tight that it hurts.
• Clench the finger while the ring sizer is on the finger. The ring sizer may adjust, and that is fine.
• Without loosening the belt, try to remove the ring sizer and ensure that it can easily slide over your knuckles.
• Ensure that you carefully read the number on the belt to ensure that you have calculated the correct number (or half number) the arrow is pointing towards.

• Do not squeeze the ring sizer too tight onto your finger. If you squeeze too hard, you will get the wrong size, and you won’t even be able to fit it on your finger.
• Calculate the size for the correct thickness. The ring sizer has a width of 5mm, so if your ring has a width under 8mm, you should be fine with the measurement from the ring sizer. If, however, 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 (unless you understand that you’ll need to change it later), or have moisturiser on your fingers.
• Consult with a jeweller if the ring sizer cannot slide over your knuckles without changing sizes. This is vital information to provide to the jeweller before sizing.

Frequently asked questions