Does Resizing Damage a Ring?

Our favourite ring may no longer fit us due to various reasons. But resizing is a delicate process that sometimes can have an unfavorable outcome. So, here’s what you should know…

What exactly is resizing?

It’s the process of modifying your ring size for a better fit and is done in the following ways.

• Downsizing: If the ring has a loose fit, then the jeweller cuts it, removes a part of the metal, and solders it back together.
• Up-sizing: As per the requirement, the jeweller spreads the metal (if a slight increase is needed) or adds extra metal (if a significant increase is required) and solders the ring back to get the desired size.

Ring Resizing Cost

Generally speaking, a simple resizing can cost anywhere between $20 and $60. Here, the fluctuation in price mainly depends on the type of metal used and the region in which you reside. For more intricate pieces, you can expect to pay anywhere between $50 and $150 for the same.

Does resizing a ring damage it?

Whether a ring will get damaged or not depends on its design. Plain wedding and engagement bands that need sizing up wouldn’t be weakened when resized skilfully.

The reason is – a tiny piece of metal is soldered to the jewellery to increase its circumference. When this is done aptly, the ring maintains its durability.

Conversely, stretching a ring to widen its shank reduces its overall toughness.

In short, simple bands are at little to no risk of being damaged when they are resized by an experienced jeweller whereas resizing can result in reduced robustness of rings adorned with intricate detailing and gemstones.

How Do I Find My Ring Size?

The most foolproof way to do this is to go to your local jeweller and ask them to cheque your ring size. Having said that, if you’d like to figure out your size at home, you can easily do so by following the steps mentioned below:

• Wrap a piece of paper or string around the base of your finger.
• With the help of a pen, mark the point at which the two sides meet.
• Next, using the millimeter side of the ruler, measure the marked length of the paper or string.
• Finally, choose the closest measurement on the ring size chart to find your size.

For other ways to measure your ring size, read our complete ring size guide

How Should a Ring Fit?

As a general rule of thumb, a properly sized ring should slide over your knuckle with a slight amount of friction and fit snuggly at the base of your finger. When removing the piece, you should experience a little bit of resistance from the band.

Can All Rings Be Resized?

Unfortunately, not! While the majority of fine jewellery rings can be resized, there are a few types wherein the same is simply not possible. These are as follows:

1. Eternity Rings

For the unaware, eternity rings are bands that feature a row of gemstones along their entire shank. And while they are extremely meaningful to have, they are also quite difficult to resize. This is primarily because there isn’t enough exposed metal for the jeweller to cut into and work on.

2. Tension Rings

This type of ring is typically characterized by its gemstone which is held in place by the pressure gained from the two ends of the shank. In most cases, these rings need to be custom-made to provide the perfect fit. Not only that but resizing the same can affect the overall look and safety of the stone.

3. Brittle Rings

Believe it or not, some metals are too brittle to resize safely. Rose gold is an example of this. Because of its alloy composition, this material can crack if exposed to too much pressure. As such, while resizing a rose gold ring can be done by an expert, many novice jewellers will avoid doing the same.

What Type of Rings Can Be Resized?

Almost any ring created from precious metals like gold, silver and platinum can be resized. This is mainly because the metals are sturdy enough to withstand extreme pressure and pliable enough to bend into different shapes.

Possible Pitfalls of This Process

1. Weak Spot

It is important to remember that the ring is essentially cut and soldered back to change its size. This usually leaves that particular soldered spot on the ring shank weaker than before. So excess pressure may lead to breakage. Even a resizing job that’s well done may minimize the risk of breakage but not eliminate it.

2. Alignment Issues

During resizing, the setting which holds the stone securely in place can flare out or compress. This can result in the gemstone/s getting misaligned, which can affect the overall look of the ring. Also, if not spotted immediately, you run the risk of losing the gem/s.

3. Resizing Troubles

It’s important to note that not all rings can undergo this process due to various factors, like those mentioned below.

• Sizing Limit: A ring can be increased or decreased by two sizes only. Anything more than that may not be considered feasible.
• Metal Type: Yellow-white gold and silver are easier to resize as they’re more malleable. But the same cannot be said for all metals. While platinum and titanium rings can still be resized with great effort, tungsten cannot be altered.
• Use of Gemstones: Tough gems, such as the diamond, ruby and sapphire, can handle the heat and pressure of the resizing procedure. But delicate gems like the opal and pearl stand the risk of permanent damage. To avoid this, they need to be removed before the process and set again later, which is not always a viable option.
• Ring Style: It is relatively easier to resize a simple solitaire ring while vintage, eternity and other designs may prove more difficult. Some elements, such as complex detailing on the ring and the number of gems used, will require more skill and effort. This may eventually lead to an increase in the overall cost.
• Other Factors: Engravings usually undergo damage during the process and will need to be re-done later. Also, rings with thicker bands are more difficult to alter than those with sleek shanks.

Alternatives to Ring Resizing

Luckily, there are several ways for you to achieve a perfect fit without resizing your treasured band. However, please note that these alternatives are for sizing down only. The three main methods are as follows:

1. Sizing Beads

Also known as ‘speed bumps’ or ‘ring bumps,’ sizing beads are a great alternative to the resizing process. This involves soldering small balls of metal on your band’s inner circumference. It works by filling the gap between the ring and your finger, thus offering you a snug fit.

2. Spring Inserts

For those who find sizing beads uncomfortable, a spring insert is a better option for you. Instead of tiny balls, a strip of metal is placed inside the ring here. When putting on the ring, this metal strip flattens out, thus allowing you to easily slide the ring over your knuckles. Later, when the band reaches the base of the finger, the insert springs back into its original place, giving you a snug fit.

3. Sizing Bars (Ring Guards)

If you want an affordable, temporary option, then we highly recommend opting for a sizing bar. This metal bar is placed at the base of your band and typically folds around the ring’s foundation. It is a great option for anyone who has temporarily lost weight (due to an illness) or whose fingers shrink during winters.

All said and done, resizing needs careful consideration, and we do suggest avoiding it (if that’s an option).

In case your ring is too tight, we recommend trying it on a different finger or, even better, shopping for a brand new one!