Resizing Your Wedding Band: Making It Snugger

There are many reasons why your wedding band may not fit as well as it should. Weight loss, pregnancy, and weather changes can all cause fluctuations in your finger size. If your ring is too big, it might fall off and get lost, or it will slip sideways and look awkward. Fortunately, there are several ways to make a ring smaller so it fits perfectly.

Using a ring adjuster

There are several types of ring adjusters available, including:

• Inserts: Horseshoe-shaped inserts that make the ring up to a ring size smaller.
• Ring sizing beads: These are soldered onto the bottom of the ring to keep it upright when it's slightly loose.
• Spring inserts: A thin metal band attached to the inside of the ring, which flattens when putting on the ring and springs back into place past the knuckle.
• Fold-over devices: A jeweler installs a latch that opens when you put on the ring and closes to secure it.
• Plastic ring adjusters: These are mainly clear, but you can also find them in different colors such as yellow gold and rose gold.
• Get advice from a jeweler: They can recommend the best type of adjuster for your ring and may even sell them at a low price.
• Consider the pros and cons of plastic vs. metal adjusters: Plastic adjusters are easy to buy online and can be set on your ring whenever needed, but they may negatively impact the ring's aesthetics. Metal adjusters, on the other hand, can keep the style consistent but usually require the help of a jeweler to install.
• Buy extra adjusters: Affordable consumer-grade adjusters may not last long, so it's a good idea to buy a few in bulk.
• Be aware that adjusters can be difficult to clean: Depending on the type of adjuster you choose, they may not be easy to clean. So, again, it might be a good idea to buy a few extras.

With silicone coils

Silicone coils are a simple, temporary, and damage-free way to make your wedding band smaller. They are soft rubber adjusters that you can clip onto your ring and twist to cover the band. The thicker the coil, the tighter your ring will be.

Step 1: Choose the Right Coil Size

Firstly, you will need to select the appropriate coil size for your ring. Silicone coils come in different sizes, and the thickness of the coil will determine how tight your ring will become. If you need to make your ring significantly smaller, opt for a thicker coil.

Step 2: Prepare the Ring and Coil

Before attaching the coil, ensure your ring is clean and free from any dirt or oils. Similarly, check that the silicone coil is also clean and free from debris. This will help ensure that the coil adheres properly and can be easily adjusted.

Step 3: Attach the Coil

Clip the silicone coil onto your wedding band. Start by placing one end of the coil at the base of your ring and then gently twist it around the band until it is secure. You may need to apply a small amount of pressure to ensure the coil stays in place.

Step 4: Adjust the Coil as Needed

Once the coil is attached, you can adjust it to achieve the desired fit. Twist the coil until it covers the entire band of the ring, or only a portion of it, depending on how much you need to reduce the size. Remember, the more coils you add, the tighter the ring will become.

Step 5: Check for Comfort and Security

After adjusting the coil, try on the ring to ensure it fits comfortably and securely. The coil should not be too tight, but it should also not be so loose that it slides around your finger. If needed, you can add or remove coils to achieve the perfect fit.

Step 6: Maintain and Replace as Needed

Silicone coils are temporary solutions, so you may need to replace them from time to time. Over time, they may become discoloured, dirty, or stretched out. If this happens, simply remove the old coil and replace it with a new one. Additionally, if your ring starts to feel too tight, you can easily remove the coil to allow your finger to breathe.

Using silicone coils is a straightforward and effective way to make your wedding band smaller without causing any damage to your ring. By following these steps, you can ensure a comfortable and secure fit.

Using nail polish

Firstly, you will need to gather the following materials:

• Non-toxic nail polish (transparent)
• Rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball, or a paper towel
• A piece of tape (painter's tape is recommended)

Now, follow these steps:

Step 1:

Clean your ring thoroughly with rubbing alcohol. This step is crucial, especially if your ring has a pearl or stone setting. Focus on cleaning the interior back and sides of the ring, being careful to avoid the setting.

Step 2:

Prepare a piece of tape, about an inch long. This will be used to stabilize the ring while applying the nail polish.

Step 3:

Apply a coat of nail polish to the inside of your ring, focusing on the back with a little coming up the sides. Be careful not to apply the polish all the way around, as this will cause the ring to sit oddly and look strange when worn.

Step 4:

Set the nail polish bottle down on one end of the tape. Lean your ring against the bottle, as vertically as possible. The tape will help the ring stay in place and prevent the wet nail polish from running off.

Step 5:

Allow the polish to dry completely. Then, try on the ring to check the fit. If needed, apply two to three more coats of nail polish, testing the fit between each coat.

Pros and Cons of Using Nail Polish:

With dental floss

Using dental floss is a cheap and simple way to make your wedding band smaller. You can use waxed dental floss, which will soften with your body temperature and adjust to the shape of your finger, making it a comfortable option.

To start, cut a long piece of dental floss, around 35 inches, from the roll. You will then need to overlap the floss at least twice and join one of the edges with a lighter. Pass the ring through the floss and hold both ends together, so that the ring dangles like a pendant. Try to pass the burnt edge through the other edge to make the first knot. Repeat this process until you have enough knots that the floss covers a significant portion of the back of the ring. It's important to try the ring on at intervals to ensure you don't over-tighten it.

Once you're happy with the fit, you can use scissors to cut off the excess floss, or burn it off with a lighter. It's important to note that this method does mean you will need to take your ring off before washing your hands, as the floss will get wet and could irritate your finger.

This is a temporary solution, and you can always visit a professional jeweler to have your ring permanently resized.

Using monofilament fishing line

• Cut a piece of monofilament fishing line that is at least 40 centimetres long.
• Run the fishing line through the ring, leaving one end longer than the other. The shorter end should still be long enough to tie both ends together at the end.
• Hold the longer end in place and wrap the shorter end around the shank of the ring in loops. Try to hold the loops close together with your finger to keep them uniformly arranged.
• Tighten the line after forming each loop so that they take the shape of the ring's shank.
• When you're done making loops, thread each end of the line through them.
• After threading the first end, pull it slowly to tighten it, but not too much, so the other end of the line can still pass through easily.
• When you've threaded both ends through the loops, pull them to tighten the end of the line, holding everything together firmly. Remember to keep all the loops aligned.
• Once you've secured the ends, cut off any excess fishing line.

If your ring still doesn't fit, try using a thicker fishing line.

Frequently asked questions