How to change your ring size: 5 answers to the most frequently asked questions

What to do if your favorite gold ring begins to dangle on your finger or the long-awaited gift turns out to be half a size too small? There is only one way out - go to a jeweler or try to solve the problem yourself. But then you can’t do without special knowledge. YuK has collected the simplest and most effective ways to change your ring size - quickly and at no extra cost.

Which rings can be made smaller?

In this matter, everything depends on the experience of the jeweler and the appearance of the ring. The three most “problem-free” models include:

1. Laconic smooth rings without inlay and signet rings. Masters can handle such models in a matter of minutes by squeezing the ring on the punch. But if the product has precious stone inserts/engravings, then it will be more complicated;
2. Rings with an inscription and openwork inserts. However, be prepared for the fact that the primary integrity of the drawing will be violated;
3. Rings with stones. The master will require special care, as well as knowledge of the properties of precious stones. Even the most minimal compression deforms the base of the ring, and therefore the fastening of the stones. Make sure that all stones are removed from the metal before compression/stretching. Then you will be able to avoid scuffs and scratches.

When can't a ring be enlarged?

Please pay attention to the fact that the jeweler reserves the opportunity to refuse the client to perform the procedure to change the size of the ring if it is not classic, for example, encrusted with precious stones or engraved. The inscription will most likely lose its original appearance and become smudged, and removing and reinserting stones requires a lot of additional effort and time. So the answer to the question: “Is it possible to enlarge a ring with stones” can only be obtained from a jeweler, who will tell you whether he will undertake such a complex job. And no one will give you a guarantee for this type of work, since due to changes in the size of the jewelry, the gem may simply fall out and get lost.

In addition, there are a number of cases when changing the ring size is not recommended:

1. if the silver ring is plated with rhodium. When such jewelry is heated, the matte coating will lose its original appearance, and its return will not be possible. Accordingly, the answer to the question: “Is it possible to increase the size of a rhodium-plated silver ring” – yes, it is possible, but the ring will look different;
2. if you need to change the size of your platinum ring. Due to the fact that this material is refractory, specialized technical equipment will be required to perform such work. If it is absent or the jeweler is poorly qualified, there is a risk of getting a black mark in the welding area;
3. if the ring is made of openwork metal or decorated with complex ornaments. It is necessary to make serious efforts to ensure that the original appearance of the product is preserved after jewelry manipulation;
4. if the ring does not fit in size, it is not made of gold, but jewelry. Basically, budget jewelry options are made from alloys, the actual composition of which remains unknown when making a purchase. It is not easy to predict how a particular alloy will behave under compression, heating, or alternative actions. If the outcome is good, something will work out, but if the outcome is bad, the jewelry may change its shade to black or green, the design may not withstand manipulation and burst, and the metals in the alloy may oxidize, which will have a negative impact on your health.

Of course, a professional can work a miracle and increase the ring size, but you should listen to his recommendations. If the master says that there is a risk of ruining the jewelry, then it is better not to try to change the size. If you trust your jeweler, who knows exactly how to increase the size of a gold and silver ring, then you should not refuse to visit him.

Which rings cannot be reduced?

Most often, such exceptions include costume jewelry and budget alloys. It is difficult to predict how such rings will behave when subjected to sudden heating. The product may turn black, oxidize, or even burst. It’s better not to take risks, because your favorite thing is at stake.

They don't like interference:

• platinum, titanium rings, as well as tungsten products. To work with such products, special equipment and skilled craftsman are required. Otherwise, a black mark may remain at the welding site;
• rings made of openwork and patterned metal;
• products with enameled or galvanic coating, as well as with a diamond edge. Please note that a visible seam may form at the welding site.

Why a jeweler might not undertake a reduction

Jewelers have long and firmly established the reputation of craftsmen who can perform the most delicate and complex work. But even they do not accept all rings for processing and reduction. We asked the professionals which jewelry they most likely wouldn't work with.

Bijouterie

A good jewelry maker will not undertake work with costume jewelry. And it’s not a matter of laziness or unwillingness to work with simple metals. To work with any material, you need to know its properties well and how it behaves under certain conditions. And products not made of precious metals may contain unknown impurities .
And, unfortunately, it is impossible to predict how such material will behave. The main problems encountered when working with such products.

• Loss of color when heated.
• Inability to hide the seam . Due to the fact that the metal is unknown, it is impossible to find solder for it.
• Unpredictable behavior after polishing , the metal may begin to oxidize and release harmful substances.

How to reduce a ring at home?

Method No. 1. Clear nail polish or glue.

Apply layer by layer to the inside of the product until you feel that the ring is sitting tighter. Wait until completely dry. On average, it takes 10 applications to adjust the size.

Method No. 2. Silicone lining.

The silicone coating prevents the product from slipping, which is especially helpful in frosty weather when the fingers become narrow. You can buy and attach such a lining at any jewelry store. The disadvantage of the method is its fragility. The lining must be changed at least once a month.

Method number 3. Nylon fishing line or twisted thread.

Reducing the size of the ring depends on the thickness of the thread and the density of its winding around the finger. If you tie knots on the headband, you will get an openwork winding that will reduce the ring to one size. Moreover, with this method you can adjust the size of the ring on the go. For example, if suddenly during the day your hands become swollen. To make the ring larger, move the nodes outwards, and to make the ring smaller, move them inwards.

Method number 4. Well, the most radical one is wire cutters.

The decoration is cut, after which the necessary part is removed, and the edges are carefully sanded with a nail file. However, when wearing it, you will have to constantly monitor the position of the ring on your finger so that the cut is not noticeable.

Is it possible to reduce the size of an engagement ring?

It would seem, why not? But the answer and solution to the problem of oversized jewelry is not so obvious. If the product is made with decorative jewelry inserts or inlaid with precious stones, you cannot do without consulting a jeweler. Not all jewelry with stones can be reduced in size.

In cases where this is possible, the stones are removed, the volume of the product is reduced to the desired size, then the stones are inserted back. If the surface of the ring is strewn with diamond chips or engraved on it, this method of reducing the size will no longer work. A jeweler has the right to refuse a client if he requests a reduction in a product of a non-classical type and not made of gold, but jewelry alloys.

If the back side of the jewelry allows it, and the difference between the original and desired size is too large, jewelers simply cut out a piece from the inconspicuous side of the ring, solder it and polish it. This problem area, like the seams, will not be visible. This reduction of a wedding ring that has become large is usually performed on gold accessories, since this metal is malleable and soft to work with.

Another option for jewelry reduction of a wedding accessory: extending the ring from the inside . An additional layer of material is applied to the inner surface of the product so that the outside of the ring does not change at all, but the volume is reduced to the desired size due to the thickening of the rim.

The cost of any jewelry work to reduce a product directly depends on its design and deadlines.

You can also make your wedding ring smaller at home. As such, you, of course, will not change its size, but it is quite possible to bring it to the desired volume:

• Some forums recommend applying several layers of clear nail polish, enamel or hot glue gun to the inside of the ring. The method is not very durable, but it works for some time;
• a piece of body plaster is glued to the inside of the ring finger, increasing the volume of the phalanx in the right place;
• For the same purpose, ordinary sewing thread is wound around the finger or on the back of the jewelry.

In addition, in some online stores you can purchase inexpensive silicone pads for the inside of the ring. So don’t rush to get upset, just choose the method that’s right for your case.

Ways to increase your ring size yourself

To do this, at a minimum, you will need a special tool in the form of a crossbar, a gas burner or barbell, or a hammer with a rubber surface. Be prepared for the fact that one awkward movement and the ring could be ruined. To avoid this, follow this action plan:

1. Find a metal pin/cone with the required diameter. The cylinder should be as smooth as possible;
2. To avoid cracks and scratches, wrap the cone in foil;
3. Heat the product until very hot;
4. Place a ring on the foil-lined cone. Tap it lightly with a hammer, expanding it the desired amount.

How jewelers reduce the size of a gold ring

To achieve this goal, the master can use two methods:

1. cut a piece of metal and bring the edges of the circle together;
2. compress metal using special equipment.

This procedure refers to light jewelry work, but it has its limitations.
For example, it is impossible to compress jewelry with a thickness of more than 8 mm, since its ends will be deformed unevenly in relation to the middle. From a wide product you only need to cut out part of the material. The same applies to the situation when a client asks to reduce the size of a diamond ring. The fact is that inlay with stones and openwork forging deteriorate when compressed, which means there is only one way out - sawing, cutting out what is needed and soldering the edges.

It is very easy to squeeze a wedding ring, of any complexity and any design, as long as it is without stones and openwork. All similar wedding items are also easy to reduce, even the signet.

Are you interested in how professionals compress metal? To reduce the size of a ring, a jeweler needs to heat it over a fire and cool it. Then the product is placed in a special cone, covered with a kind of press - a ball punch - and forged with a hammer.

With each blow, the metal circle moves lower along a tapering cone as the pliable metal becomes denser and decreases in volume. When the required circumference is reached, the forging is stopped and the sides of the product are polished.

So, if you decide to resort to the services of a jeweler, giving him, for example, a ring with diamonds for reduction, ask exactly how he will approach this task.

Types of jewelry techniques to increase ring size

Jewelers use three techniques to enlarge a ring. The choice of one or the other depends on the complexity of the product’s shape and the presence of additional inlay. In all other respects, the choice is yours.

Metal insert

When it comes to luxury diamond rings (those with lush patterns and delicate filigree), jewelers most often use the metal insertion method. First, the master cuts the ring from below and expands it to the required size, and then inserts an additional piece of metal of the same standard and color. Here it is important to harmoniously select additional elements to the main design of the product. If processed correctly, the product should have no seams or differences in color.

Mechanical stretch

This technique is suitable for enlarging classic rings and signets with a width of 9-12 mm. First, the jeweler calculates the amount by which the product needs to be enlarged, and then puts the ring on a special bolt. By rotating the handle of the crossbar, he increases the decoration to the desired parameters.

Boring

The simplest, but radical way. Suitable for rings with a thick rim and decorative patterns. This method can add up to 0.5 mm to the product. Boring involves sawing out the inner layer of the rim. The main disadvantage is the loss of the cut aurum.

How to remove a small ring at home?

If you put on a ring and, after wearing it for some time, realized that it is not enough for you, you need to remove it from your finger as soon as possible.
Just try to pull it off - even if the ring is 1-1.5 times smaller than your finger size, it can be removed this way. There are also times when you will need improvised means to remove a small ring. For example, water and soap have worked well. You will need to lather a small amount of soap and apply it to your finger with the ring - the soap will help reduce resistance and moisturize the skin. After this, you can safely remove the ring. Cold water can also remove the ring. To do this, you need to hold your hand in cold water for ten minutes, and then quickly raise your hand up so that the blood flows away from the finger. After this you can remove the ring.

The method of removing a ring using a silk thread has worked well. You need to take about 1 m of thread, thread it through a thin needle and slowly push it under the ring from the side of the nail. After this, you need to tightly wrap the other end of the thread around your finger so that the turns fit well together without forming gaps. To remove the ring, you need to gradually pull the tip of the thread out from under the ring. This method is ideal in cases where the ring cannot be removed in any other way.

How can a jeweler reduce the size of a ring?

Cutting out a piece of tire

Most often used for processing rings with stones decorated with colored enamel. To reduce the ring by one size, a piece 3.14 mm long is removed from the rim, and by two - 6.28 mm. Afterwards, the joint is ground and polished well.

Laser soldering is used for particularly delicate items, as well as for all white metal jewelry.

Compression

The method is used for simple rings without inlay, mostly for reducing and adjusting wedding bands. If the ring needs to be reduced by half a size, it is knocked down, and if it needs to be reduced by 1-2 sizes, it is first heated and then knocked down to the desired parameters. The soot that appears on the surface is cleaned off, and the ring is polished to a new condition.

Insert

It is considered the most expensive correction method. Another ring or plate of the same metal is inserted into the inside of the rim. The advantage of this method is that the external impact on the product is minimal, so you don’t have to worry about fastening and preserving the stones. The decorative appearance of the product remains the same, only its internal diameter changes.

***

If you feel some discomfort when putting on the ring, do not rush into the purchase. After all, the beautiful appearance of the product will not cover the feeling of inconvenience from a ring that is tight or dangling on your finger. To carry out any repair work, look for a trusted jewelry workshop or use simple home life hacks. This is the only way the ring will serve you for many years!

Adviсe

In general, there are many ways to fix this problem. In any case, you need to think it over carefully and make the right decision. Many people immediately resort to a jewelry workshop for help. They will not only give you advice, but also help you choose the right option for your ring. And if this is ordinary jewelry, but you have unusual stories associated with it or simply value it, then you can use different methods at home, which are listed in this article.

The engagement ring will be more difficult to deal with at home. But still, many people wonder what to do if the ring is large? It especially often happens that a man bought and guessed the possible size. At the same time, the ring was not the right size for the girl. It is not recommended to bend it yourself at home or perform other methods to eliminate this problem. It’s better to turn to specialists for help; they will choose the method themselves to ensure that your ring fits in size. According to omens, the ring should be worn on the ring finger. Some people simply hang it around their neck with a chain or another finger. This is not entirely correct and will lead to unnecessary questions that are not entirely pleasant, as we have already said above.

Therefore, it is better to wear the wedding ring on the right finger, follow the omen and, most importantly, believe in it.