Resizing Your Square Wedding Band

There are many reasons why you may need to resize your square wedding band. Weight fluctuations, changes in lifestyle, and the desire to wear the ring on a different finger are all common reasons for resizing. It is important to have your ring resized by a professional jeweler who has the necessary time and skills to do excellent work on your precious ring. They will be able to advise on the best method for resizing your ring, depending on whether it needs to be enlarged or reduced in size.

When to resize your wedding band

A ring that fits perfectly should slide onto your finger smoothly but resist slightly when you take it off. If your wedding band feels too tight or too loose, it may be time to consider resizing. Your fingers will fluctuate in size throughout the day and depending on the weather, so it's recommended to wear your ring for a few days to see how it feels over time. If you find that it's consistently too tight or loose, then it's probably a good idea to get it resized.

Body weight fluctuations, climate changes, and even a night of salty foods and alcohol can cause your ring size to change. If you're in between sizes, it's generally recommended to opt for the larger size as it's easier to resize a ring smaller than it is to make a small ring bigger.

Some methods for resizing your ring include:

• Adding small gold or metal balls to the inside of the band to fill up extra space and keep the ring upright.
• Cutting out a small portion of the band and soldering the ends back together to make the ring smaller, or adding a piece of metal to make the ring bigger.
• Using a ring mandrel and a hammer to gradually expand the size of the band, or a hydraulic press or roller to stretch the metal.

Keep in mind that some rings cannot be resized, such as those made of titanium, cobalt, tungsten carbide, or stainless steel. Eternity bands with stones that go all the way around are also difficult to resize as there is no metal to work with. In these cases, you may need to try a ring guard or a simple band to keep your ring in place.

How to make your wedding band bigger

There are several ways to make your wedding band bigger, depending on the material and design of your ring. Here are some methods to resize your ring:

Enlarging Your Ring

If your ring is too tight or cannot get past your knuckles, you will need to enlarge it. Enlarging a ring is generally more complex than making it smaller, and there are a few methods that jewellers use to do this:

• Stretching the metal: This method involves heating the bottom part of the ring and stretching it. While this process is effective in increasing the ring size, it can also ruin its quality, so many jewellers avoid it.
• Cutting and soldering: Another approach is to cut the ring and solder an attached matching piece to it. This method is much safer and can be used on rings with precious stones. Once the ring is polished, it will be difficult to tell that it has been modified.
• Adding metal: To make a ring larger, a jeweller can heat and cut the band, add more metal to form a bridge, and then solder the ring back together. This method typically enlarges the ring by up to two sizes.

Choosing the Right Material

It's important to note that not all ring materials can be resized. Wedding bands made of cobalt chrome, gold, and wood can be resized, but there are limitations. For example, wood wedding bands can only be resized by half a size from their original size, and cobalt chrome can be resized by half a size to one full size. On the other hand, gold is soft enough that it can be resized as much as you want, making it a popular choice for wedding bands.

Visiting a Professional Jeweller

Resizing a wedding band is a delicate process, and it's essential to find an expert jeweller who can perform the work skillfully. They will consider the type of metal, the number of sizes the ring needs to move up, the amount of metal required, and any changes to the ring's design, such as moving or adjusting gemstones. This process typically takes about one to two weeks and can cost anywhere from $20 for a simple resizing to several hundred dollars for more complicated work.

How to make your wedding band smaller

Making a wedding band smaller is a fairly straightforward process. Here are the steps that a professional jeweller will take to resize your ring:

Step 1: Cutting the Band

Firstly, the jeweller will cut out a small portion of the band. This process involves carefully cutting out a small section of the metal, usually from the bottom of the band. This is a delicate process, especially if the ring has intricate details or settings.

Step 2: Soldering the Band

Once the band has been cut, the jeweller will join the two pieces back together by soldering them. This involves using heat and a soldering agent to fuse the ends together. This process ensures that the ring regains its circular shape.

Step 3: Cleaning and Polishing

After soldering, the ring will be cleaned to remove any oxidation caused by the soldering process. It will then be polished to smoothen its surface and restore its shine. When the resizing is complete, there should be no visible signs that the ring has been altered.

Limitations and Considerations:

It's important to note that a ring can typically only be modified up to a maximum of two sizes in either direction. Additionally, certain types of rings, such as those made of stainless steel or tungsten, may be difficult or impossible to resize due to the properties of the metal. It's always best to consult a professional jeweller to determine if your ring can be resized and to ensure a high-quality finish.

What materials can be resized

The resizing of a wedding band is a common practice, but it depends on the type of material it is made of. Softer metals like gold, silver, and platinum are easier to resize, whereas harder metals like tungsten, titanium, and stainless steel are difficult or impossible to resize.

Gold is one of the softest and most malleable metals available, making it simple to resize. Cobalt chrome can also be resized, but only by half or one size. Platinum, a precious silvery-white metal, is also quite malleable and ideal for resizing.

Silver is another soft metal that is commonly used in jewellery and is easy to resize. Palladium, which is similar to platinum, can also be resized.

However, harder metals like tungsten, titanium, and stainless steel are challenging or impossible to resize due to their solid structure and resistance to soldering. These metals are prized for their durability and strength, but their hardness makes them difficult to manipulate.

Additionally, intricate designs, decorative stones, and thin bands can also make resizing more difficult or impossible, as they can be damaged or altered during the process.

How to find your new size

There are several ways to find your ring size at home. Here are some of the most common methods:

Using a Ring You Already Own

If you already have a ring that fits the finger you plan to wear your new ring on, you can use this to find your size. Print out a ring size chart and place your ring over the circles on the chart until you find the one that matches the inside circumference of your ring. If your ring is between two sizes, go for the larger one.

The Paper Test

Print out a ring sizer and cut out the paper strip at the bottom. Cut out the slot and slip the tip of the ring sizer through it. Place the sizer on your finger and pull it taut to read your size.

With a Piece of String

Wrap a piece of string around your finger and cut it where the ends overlap. Line the string up with a ring size guide to find your size. If your finger is between two sizes, go for the larger one.

Using a Ring-Measurement Tool

The most accurate way to measure your ring size is by using a ring-measurement tool. These fall into two categories: a thin measuring tape or a keyring lined with a gradient of ring sizes. The former can be looped around your finger and tightened or loosened with a belt, while the latter involves trying on metal loops of different sizes until you find the right fit.

At a Jeweller's

If you don't trust your own judgment, you can always turn to a professional jeweller for an accurate measurement. Most jewellers use sizing rings—a large keychain with a set of rings in each size that you can try on to determine the most reliable fit.

Other Tips

• Your ring should be snug but not too tight. It should go on and off with a little friction and be loose enough to slide over your knuckle with some resistance.
• Your ring size can change depending on the temperature, the time of day, your diet, and other variables. Therefore, it's a good idea to measure your finger multiple times, at different times of the day, to get an accurate reading.
• Measure the finger you want to wear the ring on. Ring fingers can be different sizes on your left and right hands.

Frequently asked questions