Rhiannon Hendricks
Wedding rings are often worn every day and are therefore prone to wear and tear. Over time, your wedding ring may stop fitting snugly around your finger, and you may need to resize it. There are several ways to resize a ring, and it is always best to consult a professional jeweler to get the job done. They will use specialized tools and techniques to resize your ring, ensuring that it fits you comfortably and securely. The cost of resizing will depend on the type of metal, the complexity of the design, and the time and labor required. In this response, we will explore the various methods available for enlarging a wedding ring and provide helpful tips for maintaining the perfect fit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to resize | If the ring is too tight, too loose, or if it keeps rotating around the finger |
| Who can resize | A professional jeweler |
| Cost | $20 for a simple resize, $40-$600 for a more complex job |
| Complexity | Enlarging a ring is more complicated than reducing its size |
| Techniques to enlarge | Stretching, cutting and soldering, ring shanking, using a hydraulic press or roller |
| Techniques to reduce size | Cutting out a small portion of the band and soldering the ends together, using a sizing assistant, using a ring guard |
| Limitations | Rings can only be resized by a maximum of two sizes in either direction |
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What You'll Learn
Consult a professional jeweller
Wedding rings are precious items, and their resizing should be entrusted to a reputable jeweller. While there are many at-home methods to resize a ring, there are risks of damaging the ring or ruining its quality. Consulting a professional jeweller is the best way to ensure that your wedding ring is enlarged safely and inexpensively.
A professional jeweller will have the specialised tools and years of training to handle your ring with care and precision. They will be able to advise on the best method to enlarge your ring, depending on its design and the extent of resizing needed. For example, if your ring has precious stones, a jeweller may recommend cutting the ring and soldering an attached matching piece to it, as this method is safer for stones. If your ring is made of tungsten or titanium, resizing may not be possible, as these metals are too hard for jewellers to manipulate. In this case, a jeweller may suggest alternative solutions, such as wearing a second, tighter ring to keep your wedding ring in place.
When consulting a professional jeweller, it is essential to be aware of the limitations of ring resizing. Jewelers can typically only resize a ring up to two sizes larger or smaller than the original size. Enlarging a ring is generally more complicated than making it smaller, as it involves adding metal, which increases the cost. The thicker the ring and the more intricate the design, the higher the price of resizing will be.
It is recommended to consult the original jeweller who sold you the ring if possible. If not, ask for referrals from friends and family to find a reputable jeweller you can trust. You can also request to see their previous work and check their reviews online. Most jewellers can complete a ring resizing job within a few days to a few weeks, but it is best to allow a month, especially if you need the ring by a certain date.
Consulting a professional jeweller is the safest and most reliable option to enlarge your wedding ring. They will guide you through the process, ensuring that your ring is enlarged to your desired size while preserving its quality and structure.
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Use ring coils
Ring coils are a temporary solution to enlarge your wedding ring. They are made of plastic or silicone and can be purchased online or from a jeweler. The coils wrap around the ring, and you can cut them to size. This method is helpful if you have thin fingers and larger knuckles as it helps the ring roll over the knuckles but stays secure on your finger.
Ring coils are a good option if you are unable to get your ring professionally resized, for example, if you are waiting to receive it as an engagement gift. They can be a quick fix while you wait to get the ring resized by a professional. While ring coils can be a useful temporary solution, they may not be the best long-term option as they can get dirty and be visible when gesturing with your hands.
If you are considering using ring coils, it is worth purchasing a whole pack so that you can easily replace them if they get dirty. You can also try using them for a period of time to see if they start to annoy you before deciding to resize your ring. It is also worth noting that rings made of certain materials, such as stainless steel, titanium, and tungsten, are trickier to resize, so ring coils may be a good option in this case.
While ring coils can be a helpful temporary solution, it is recommended that you take your ring to a reputable jeweler to be professionally resized to ensure the integrity and original design of the ring are preserved.
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Resize with heat
Enlarging a ring is more complicated than making it smaller. One method is to cut a small portion out of the band and then add a piece of metal to expand the circumference. This process is known as ring shanking. The jeweller will cut the ring's bottom and add metal into the shank to spread the ring to the precise size. This method can safely enlarge rings by half a ring size.
Another method is to stretch the metal by heating and pulling it. This can also be done using a ring mandrel and a hammer or a hydraulic press or roller to stretch the metal, depending on the type of ring and the extent of resizing needed. This method can also safely enlarge rings by half a ring size, but it can easily ruin the ring's quality, so many jewellers avoid it. Stretching makes the band of the ring thinner and can distort its shape, but the jeweller will go back and reshape the band.
The cost of getting your ring resized will depend on the type of metal, the complexity of the task, and the labour it requires. It always costs more to enlarge a ring because metal is added. The thicker the ring, the higher the price to resize.
It's always best to consult a professional to get this job done, particularly the original jeweller who sold you your ring. Rings can be increased or decreased up to two sizes without causing too much stress on the metal.
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Add metal to the ring
Enlarging a ring typically involves cutting into the metal and adding extra metal to increase the circumference. This process, known as ring shanking, requires a professional jeweller and is more complex and costly than making a ring smaller.
Goldsmith or Jeweller
A goldsmith or jeweller will cut the ring and pull it to the desired size, filling the gap with other metals. This method involves welding two metal balls of gold or other precious metals inside the stirrup of the ring. This non-permanent method is cost-effective and does not damage the ring's appearance or strength. However, it may not be comfortable for some wearers.
Ring Shanking
The ring shanking process involves carefully fitting a new piece of metal to the existing band, soldering it in place, and smoothing and polishing the surface to blend the seams. This method ensures that there are no visible signs of repair and no obvious lines where the ring was cut and joined.
Adding a Horseshoe-Shaped Metal Strip
Another method to enlarge a ring involves adding a horseshoe-shaped, tensioned metal strip to the inner surface of the ring. A jeweller attaches a hinged U-shaped device to one side of the ring's bottom and a hasp to the other. The wearer opens the bar, inserts their finger, and closes the bar, securing it with the hasp. This method keeps the ring in place comfortably and securely.
Stretching
In some cases, a jeweller may be able to stretch the metal using a ring mandrel and a hammer to gradually expand the size of the band. Alternatively, they may use a hydraulic press or roller to stretch the metal, depending on the ring's design and the extent of resizing needed. However, stretching is not recommended for rings with gemstones as it could damage the setting.
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Use a ring guard
Ring guards are a great option for those who want to resize their rings without permanently altering the ring's structure. They are also a good choice for those who are unsure about resizing their rings due to weight fluctuations or other factors that can cause ring sizes to change.
There are different types of ring guards available, such as metal and plastic ring guards. Metal ring guards come in different sizes, such as small, medium, and large, and can be adjusted to fit your ring. To install a metal ring guard, first, measure your ring to determine the correct size for the guard. Then, hold your ring upside down and slide the ring guard into the band, ensuring that the smooth side is facing up. Next, push the ring guard into place so that the joint is flush against the side of your ring. Finally, use jeweller's pliers to fold the prongs around the outside of the band to secure the guard in place.
Plastic ring guards are another option and act as a temporary solution to ring resizing. They are inexpensive and can be easily snapped onto the band of the ring. Plastic ring guards come in different thicknesses, each sizing the ring differently. For example, a "5L" stamping on the ring guard indicates that it is 3.5 mm wide and will fit onto a 3.5 mm wide band, sizing it down by about one finger size. To install a plastic ring guard, hold your ring upside down and place the guard inside the band with the smooth side facing up. If the ring guard does not fit, you can make it smaller by carefully shaving off small amounts of the edge with a razor blade or exact knife.
It is important to note that some people have had negative experiences with metal ring guards, stating that they can snag hair and rip clothes. Additionally, metal and plastic ring guards have the potential to damage the ring. Sizing beads, which are attached to the inner side of the ring, are another option that can be easily removed by a jeweller later on.
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Frequently asked questions
If your wedding ring is too tight, cannot get past your knuckles, or keeps rotating on your finger, it likely needs to be enlarged.
It is recommended to consult a professional jeweler, especially the original jeweler who sold you the ring. If that is not an option, you can ask for referrals from friends and family to find a reputable jeweler.
Jewelers can use various methods to enlarge a ring, including cutting a small portion out of the band and adding a piece of metal to expand the circumference, stretching the metal by heating and pulling, or using a hydraulic press or roller. Enlarging a ring typically costs more than reducing its size due to the addition of metal.
