Stretching Your Wedding Band

Stretching a wedding band is a simple process, but it can only be done on certain types of rings. Plain gold, silver, or platinum bands are the easiest to stretch, and can be resized by up to two sizes. More complex rings, such as those with stones, engravings, or non-circular shapes, will be damaged by the stretching process and should be resized by a professional jeweller.

Stretching a wedding band at home

If your ring is a simple band without any stones or engravings, you can try stretching it at home. Firstly, you will need to find out the current size of your ring and the size of the finger you want to wear it on. You can use a ring mandrel, a tapered metal rod with ring sizes marked on it, to measure the current size of your ring. You can also use a ring sizer, which looks like a set of keys with metal rings of different sizes, to determine the size of your finger.

Once you have determined the correct size, you can use a ring stretcher tool or a steel mandrel to stretch your ring. A ring stretcher typically has three parts: a nylon base, a slotted hollow mandrel, and a top pin. Place the ring around the hollow mandrel and insert the pin. Gently hammer the top pin with a rawhide hammer to slowly expand the ring. Remember to stretch in small increments, as it is easier to stretch a ring further than to shrink it.

Alternatively, you can use a steel mandrel, which is a tapered rod that jewelers use for sizing rings. Place the ring on the narrow end of the mandrel and slide it down as far as it goes without forcing it. Hold the mandrel or secure it to a table with a bench pin. Tap all the way around the ring with a rawhide hammer, using the same amount of pressure for each tap. Rotate the ring as you tap to ensure an even expansion. Flip the ring over and repeat the process on the other side. Continue hammering and flipping the ring until it reaches the desired size.

While it is possible to stretch a wedding band at home, it is important to note that this process may weaken the ring or cause it to break. If you are unsure or uncomfortable with attempting this at home, it is best to consult a professional jeweler for assistance.

Using a ring mandrel

Stretching a ring with a ring mandrel is a simple process, but it requires some tools and a bit of force. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

First, you need to get a steel mandrel, which is a tapered rod that is used for sizing rings. It is important to get a steel one, as it needs to be strong enough to withstand your hammer taps. You can buy one at a hardware store or online. You will also need a rawhide hammer, which is more gentle than a metal hammer and will not leave any marks on the metal.

Next, put the ring on the mandrel at its narrow end. Slide it down as far as it goes naturally – don't force it on as you will be pushing it further down with a hammer later. If you want, you can get a bench pin to secure your mandrel to the table, but it is not necessary – you can also just hold the mandrel.

Now, start tapping the ring with the hammer at the top, not the side. Rotate the ring as you tap, so that you are hitting all sides evenly. Remember to use the same amount of pressure for each tap to keep the ring even. Your hammer strokes should be parallel with the mandrel, so that you are pushing the ring further down toward the thicker end.

After you have tapped a full circle around the ring, flip it over and tap the other side. This is important because the mandrel is tapered, so if you only tap on one side, the ring will become uneven. Keep flipping the ring and tapping all the way around until it is the right size.

Finally, check how far the ring has slid down the mandrel after each round of hammering. Remember that it is easy to stretch the ring, but hard to shrink it, so it is better to stretch it in small increments. If your ring gets stuck on the mandrel, just tap it lightly in the other direction with your hammer until it loosens.

Enlarging a ring

If you want to try yourself, the first step is to check the current size of your ring. You can do this with a ring mandrel, a tapered metal rod with ring sizes marked on it. Simply slide the ring onto the mandrel until it lines up with one of the marked numbers. You can buy one at a hardware store or online.

The next step is to figure out your ring size. You can do this with a ring sizer, which looks like a set of keys, except with metal rings of different sizes instead. Try on the rings until you find the one that fits. Alternatively, you can use a strip of paper to measure the circumference of your finger, then find a conversion chart online to convert the measurement to a ring size.

Once you know your ring size, you can begin the process of stretching. If the difference between the current ring size and your desired size is more than half a size, you should probably get a professional jeweler to help you. Stretching the ring yourself will make the metal thinner, so if you stretch it too much, it could weaken and break the ring.

To stretch the ring, you will need either a ring stretcher tool or a steel mandrel, which is a tapered rod that jewelers use for sizing rings. You will also need a rawhide hammer, as a metal hammer may dent and mar the surface of your ring.

Place the ring on the mandrel or ring stretcher, then gently hammer the top of the ring. Rotate the ring as you tap it, so that you are hitting all sides evenly. Remember to use the same amount of pressure for each tap, so that your ring stays even. Keep checking the size of the ring by trying it on or using the mandrel, and stop when it is the right size.

Reducing the size of a ring

If you want to reduce the size of your ring by more than half a size, it is best to take it to a professional jeweller for resizing. They will be able to cut off a small piece of metal from the ring and then solder and polish it to perfection. This process is often done with gold rings, but other metals such as silver and platinum can also be resized.

If you only need to reduce the size of your ring by a small amount, you may be able to do it yourself by wrapping the band with masking tape at the spot where it needs resizing. This will protect the metal from scratches or damage while filing. Then, use a metal file to gently file down the metal around the entire circumference of the band until it has been reduced by your desired amount. Remember to only file a little at a time, as too much filing can weaken the metal and cause it to break. Once you're done, polish the ring with jewellery cleaner and buff it with a cloth or soft brush.

Another option for a small reduction in size is to use heat shrink tubing. This is a plastic tube that shrinks when exposed to heat. Cut the tube so that it is slightly larger than the circumference of your finger, then slide it over the ring. Apply gentle heat with a hairdryer until the tube shrinks and tightens around the ring. Be careful not to overheat the ring, as this could damage it.

If your ring has precious stones, it is best to take it to a professional jeweller for resizing, as attempting to resize it yourself could damage the setting.

When to resize a wedding band

A wedding band should be snug, but not too tight, and it should not scrape the skin when sliding it on or off. If the ring is too loose, it will spin around with no resistance, and if it's too tight, it will be difficult to remove. Before heading to the jeweler, it is recommended to wear the ring for a few days to see how it feels over time, as finger sizes fluctuate throughout the day and depending on the weather.

Body weight fluctuations, climate changes, and diet can all impact ring size. For example, a night of consuming salty foods and alcohol can cause short-term size changes. If the ring feels loose, there are temporary solutions such as ring adjusters or ring clips, which are plastic or rubber additions to the band that make it more snug. However, these are not recommended by some jewelers as they can trap dirt and cause skin irritation.

If the ring is consistently too loose or too tight, resizing may be necessary. Resizing a ring is a common practice, and jewelers can typically resize a ring up to two sizes larger or smaller. The cost of resizing is usually inexpensive, ranging from $20 to $100, depending on the complexity of the task and the type of metal.

When resizing a ring, it is essential to consider the limitations. Some rings cannot be resized due to the materials used or the design. Rings made of stainless steel, titanium, cobalt, tungsten carbide, or rose gold, for example, are challenging to resize due to the risk of breakage or difficulty in working with the metal. Additionally, non-metallic rings, such as those made of resin, crystal, or ceramic, cannot be resized. Rings with intricate designs or stones spanning the full circumference may also be challenging to resize without altering their appearance.

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