How To Know Your Rings Fit Right (Plus – A Secret Tip If Your Ring Gets Stuck)
This may seem like a strange post because, of course, you know when your rings fit right… don’t you? Well, it might be time to think again.
I am constantly amazed at the varying ways I see people wear their rings. Sometimes they are clearly too small, but more often than not, they are way too big. Having a ring that is too big is a risk, not only to the wearer that you could lose the ring but also to the gemstones in the ring. If your solitaire constantly slides under your finger, you run the risk of hitting your diamond on a surface that could cause a prong or even the diamond to break (yes, you can break a diamond!) A key fact to remember here is that no two rings will fit identically (unless, of course, they are identical in design). Wider shanks will feel more snug on your finger, rings with interior domes will feel looser. So, while knowing the size of a ring that fits can be helpful, getting professionally sized is always the best decision.
Artemer Marquise Metal Diamond Ring, $3800
Here are my key points to look for when checking on a ring’s size:
• How much does the ring spin while it’s on your finger? If the ring is a plain band or an eternity band, you can afford to have a little more spinning because there is no top or bottom to the ring, but a ring that has a true top and bottom really needs to sit more snug on your finger. If you are finding that the top of your ring tends to migrate to the underside of your finger, that means it’s too loose.
• How well does the ring slide over your knuckle? I tell my clients that your ring should take a trick to get over your knuckle – it should not just slide off. Whether you need to slightly bend your finger or twist the ring doesn’t matter, but there needs to be some resistance to removing it. That being said, if you have to fight to get your ring off, then it’s likely too small. If your ring barely fits over your knuckle but still spins, we recommend adding a sizing bar or bumps to the interior to “grip” your finger better.
• Does your finger feel constricted or turn red from wearing the ring? This means it’s too small. Some clients tell me they prefer to have the ring fit a little too tight for security reasons, but this isn’t a great practice in reality. Your finger can continue to get increasingly aggravated by the constriction and lead to the skin around your finger to swell out from pressure. Inevitably, this swelling will result in your ring getting permanently stuck on your finger, meaning we will need to cut it off with a jeweler’s saw. You don’t want to have to do this! Swelling around your ring is a sign of trauma to the nerves and skin and could lead to worse damage to your finger.
Artemer Step Cut Engagement Ring, $7200
That being said, when clients try on rings at our shop and have trouble getting off a ring that is too small for their finger, I tell them not to fret and grab my trusty bottle of… Windex! That’s right, Windex is an ideal agent for getting a too-snug ring off your finger. Simply spray a few spritzes into a paper towel (getting it pretty well soaked), then rub the ring with the paper towel a few times, taking care to really get the Windex under the ring and onto your skin. The ring will slide off with ease like magic! It’s better than soap because it won’t gum up your setting – just don’t get the Windex on a porous stone like an opal or pearl as it can cause damage to the luster.
And, if this happens… it’s a sign to get your ring resized! Make an appointment, and we’ll take care of you.
- About the company
Alexandria & Company is an Old Town-based workshop and design studio specializing in creating and restoring fine jewelry and silver hollowware. They are the in-the-know jewelers of Alexandria and have been serving clients out of their small workshop for decades. Tucked in their historic building on South Royal Street, the team at Alx&Co. brings a personalized, modern approach to their craft – this is not your average stodgy jeweler or antique shop. Visit them during their walk-in hours or online to view their collection of handmade fine jewelry or to drop off a repair project; or, if you’re feeling creative, make an appointment to talk about that custom design project you’ve been imagining.
inquiries@alxandcompany.com | alxandcompany.com
121-B South Royal Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
703.548.0659
Design Studio Walk-In Hours (all jewelry services): Wednesday – Saturday 12-6pm
Silver Workshop Walk-In Hours (all silver repair and restoration services): Wednesday or Friday 12-6pm, or by appointment
Appointments encouraged for custom design.
