Resizing Your Wedding Band: Making It Smaller

There are many reasons why your wedding band may not fit—weight loss, an incorrect size, or you may want to wear it on a different finger. While a professional jeweller can permanently resize your ring, there are also temporary methods you can try at home. For example, you can use a ring adjuster, which comes in different types, such as horseshoe-like inserts, sizing beads, rubber stickers, and silicone coils. You can also use non-toxic nail polish, dental floss, monofilament fishing line, or food-grade silicone. If you want to resize your ring permanently, a jeweller will cut out a piece of the band, solder the exposed ends together, reshape it, and polish it.

Using a ring adjuster

Silicone Coils

Silicone coils are one of the easiest types of ring adjusters to use. They are made of soft rubber, which won't damage your ring. To use a silicone coil, simply clip it onto your ring and twist it until it covers the band of the ring. The thicker the coil, the tighter your ring will become. You can also easily remove the coil if the ring starts to feel too tight.

Plastic Ring Adjusters

Plastic ring adjusters are another option for making your wedding band smaller. These are plastic wedges that attach to the bottom of the band, with the thickness depending on how much smaller you need the ring to be. They are a temporary and inexpensive solution, and can usually be obtained from a jeweller for free or bought online. However, they usually only reduce the ring size by half a size to one whole size, so they may not be suitable if your ring is much too big. Over time, plastic adjusters can also become loose and fall off, so it's important to check and replace them regularly.

Sizing Beads

Sizing beads are small metal bumps that are soldered onto the inside of the band by a jeweller. They are a good option if you need a slight size adjustment or if your ring spins on your finger. Sizing beads can make the ring up to half a size smaller, and they help to keep the ring upright on your finger. However, some people may not like the feel of a ring with sizing beads, so it's worth trying on a ring with this adjustment first if possible.

Spring Insert

A spring insert is a thin metal band attached to the inside of the ring. It flattens when you put the ring on, then springs back into place once it's past your knuckle. This option is particularly good for people with large knuckles, as it can alter the ring size by up to one whole size. It also maintains the integrity of the metal band, as it doesn't involve cutting. However, it is a more complicated procedure and requires an experienced jeweller.

Using nail polish

Firstly, you will need to gather the following materials:

• Non-toxic, clear nail polish
• Rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball, or a piece of paper towel
• A piece of tape, preferably painter's tape
• Nail polish remover (acetone) in case of mistakes

Before you begin, clean your ring thoroughly with rubbing alcohol. This step is crucial, especially if your ring has a pearl or stone setting. Ensure you focus on the interior back and sides while cleaning and try to avoid the setting.

Next, cut a piece of tape, about an inch long, and set it aside. You will use this later to help the ring stand vertically while the nail polish dries.

Now, it's time to apply the nail polish. Focus on the back of the ring, with a little coming up the sides. Do not paint the entire inside of the ring, as this will cause the polish to sit oddly and look strange when worn.

After applying the first coat, place the nail polish bottle on one end of the tape. Then, lean your ring against the bottle as vertically as possible. This setup will help catch any excess nail polish and prevent it from running off while it dries.

Once the first coat is dry, try on the ring to check the fit. If needed, apply additional coats, testing the fit between each coat.

If you apply too much nail polish and the ring becomes too tight, simply wipe off the excess polish, and you're back to the starting point!

Additionally, if you need to remove the nail polish, be cautious if your ring has fake gems or pearls, as some nail polish removers can damage them.

Using dental floss

First, cut off a long piece of dental floss, approximately 35 inches, from the roll. If you have a lighter, you can burn one of the edges to prevent fraying. Next, pass the ring through the floss and hold both ends together so that the ring dangles. Then, pass the burnt edge through the other edge to create a knot. Repeat this process several times, trying the ring on at intervals, until you have the right fit. Finally, cut off any excess floss with scissors or burn it off with a lighter.

There are a few things to keep in mind with this method. Firstly, it is important to remove the ring before washing your hands, as wet floss can take time to dry and may irritate your finger. Secondly, the wax in waxed dental floss will soften with body temperature and adjust to the shape of your finger over time, making it a more comfortable option.

Using monofilament fishing line

Step 1: Cut the Fishing Line

First, cut a piece of monofilament fishing line that is at least 40 centimetres long. You can use scissors or any sharp tool to cut the line. The length of the line will depend on the size of your ring and the number of wraps you want to make.

Step 2: Prepare the Ring

Before you begin wrapping, clean your ring, especially if it has any stones or settings. You can use rubbing alcohol for this step to ensure that the fishing line adheres well to the ring. Allow the ring to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Step 3: Thread the Ring

Take the cut fishing line and thread it through the ring. You want one end of the line to be longer than the other. The shorter end should still be long enough to tie a knot with the longer end when you're done wrapping.

Step 4: Start Wrapping

Hold the longer end of the fishing line in place, and begin wrapping the shorter end around the shank (band) of the ring. Try to keep the wraps close together and uniform in size. You can use your finger to guide the wraps and maintain tension.

Step 5: Tighten and Secure

After each wrap, tighten the line so that it conforms to the shape of the ring's shank. Continue wrapping until you have covered the desired portion of the ring. Once you are satisfied with the number of wraps, it's time to secure the line.

Step 6: Secure the Line

Take the longer end of the fishing line and thread it through the wraps. Pull it slowly to tighten, but not too much, as you want the shorter end to pass through as well. After threading both ends through the wraps, pull them tight to secure the line. Ensure that all the loops are aligned and nice and snug.

Step 7: Cut Off Excess

Finally, cut off any excess fishing line using scissors. Be careful not to cut too close to the knots, as you don't want them to unravel.

And that's it! You now have a resized wedding band using monofilament fishing line. This method is adjustable, so if the ring feels too tight, you can always unwrap and adjust. For a more permanent solution, consider using a thicker fishing line or consulting a professional jeweller.

Using food-grade silicone

Firstly, clean the inside of your ring with rubbing alcohol. This will ensure that the silicone adheres properly to the ring. Then, get a small applicator, such as a popsicle stick, and use it to smear a thin layer of food-grade silicone adhesive onto the inside of the ring. Make sure to apply a small amount of silicone, especially if your ring is only slightly loose. Focus on the area opposite the setting, and apply a little silicone to the sides as well. Smooth out the adhesive with the applicator to ensure an even layer, and use a paper towel to wipe off any excess.

Once you are happy with the application, leave the silicone to cure and dry. This usually takes 24-48 hours, depending on the product you are using. Make sure to wait until the silicone is fully cured before wearing your ring. To test if it is ready, it should feel dry to the touch and look transparent. If you start wearing the ring before the silicone has cured, the silicone coating might come off after a few days. If you are unhappy with the fit after the first application, you can always add an extra layer of adhesive.

Frequently asked questions