From engagement rings to wedding bands to anniversary gifts, rings should fit perfectly. If the fit isn’t quite right from the beginning or if it becomes too tight or loose over time, you can have the ring resized. Find out when to resize a ring, how much it costs, and what to expect from the new fit.
When Should You Resize a Ring?
Rings should slide onto your finger easily and stay in place without being uncomfortably tight or dangerously loose. To do a quick fit test, slide the ring on, and then attempt to take it off. Ideally, the ring should slide on with minimal resistance. Taking the ring off should require a couple of seconds of gentle twisting or pressure, especially when sliding the ring over your knuckle.
If the ring slides off unexpectedly, there’s a good chance it’s too large. When you have to use a tool or excessive pressure to get the ring off, it’s probably too small. If you aren’t sure about the sizing, don’t hesitate to contact the AaLAND team. We’ll make sure your jewelry is sized perfectly, no matter when or where you purchased it.
In most cases, you can have rings resized right after purchase or many years later. It’s common to resize rings when:
- You estimated your partner’s size when purchasing an engagement ring, but in reality, the ring is too large or small.
- Over the years, you’ve gained some weight and the ring no longer fits on your finger.
- You’ve lost a significant amount of weight and you’re worried that the ring will slip off.
- You’d like to start wearing the ring on a different finger but it doesn’t fit properly.
How Does Ring Resizing Work?
At AaLAND, we can make most rings larger or smaller. When resizing jewelry, our team uses several standard methods. Depending on the design and the resizing needs, we can:
- Tighten the shank: To make a ring smaller, we can remove a small section of the shank, or the band that extends around the finger. After cutting away some of the band, we can solder the two loose ends together. Then we clean off any oxidation that appeared and polish the ring so it looks as good as new.
- Add sizing assistants: If the ring is just a little too large, we can add small spheres, known as sizing assistants. These balls fit inside the band and make the ring fit a little tighter. Sizing assistants tend to be best for preventing engagement rings from rotating.
- Enlarge the band: To make a ring larger, our team can increase the diameter of the band. We typically cut the band, add a small amount of metal, and polish the ring to make sure the addition isn’t visible.
- Stretch the band: In some cases, we can stretch the shank rather than adding more material to the band. This method tends to be best for simple bands that have no gemstones. We generally use this method for rings that need a small increase, such as a half size or less.
- Remake the ring: Although many resizing requests are fairly simple, some are much more complicated. For example, if the ring has an intricate design all the way around the band, we may need to remake the ring altogether.
Whether you need our team to make your ring larger or smaller, we know that time is of the essence. Naturally, you want to have the ring back on your or your partner’s finger as soon as possible. That’s why we always strive to complete the resizing process as quickly as possible. If you need just a minor adjustment, we may be able to resize your ring in less than an hour. More complex adjustments can take a few weeks, and reworking or remaking the ring may require additional time.
Are Any Rings Impossible to Resize?
Our experienced team of jewelers can make most rings smaller or larger. However, resizing isn’t possible or recommended for some types of rings, including:
- Eternity rings: These rings have beautifully designed gemstone patterns that extend around the band. Because resizing would disrupt the pattern, we don’t usually resize these rings.
- Rings with tension settings: Resizing can alter the strength of tension settings or even cause the gemstone to become misaligned. We don’t usually recommend resizing these rings.
- Rings made of certain materials: Although many types of gold and silver rings can be resized, other materials have properties that make them impossible to rework. Hard metals like titanium and stainless steel and materials like wood and some gold can’t be reshaped or resized.
If your ring is difficult or impossible to resize, we recommend continuing to enjoy its original beauty. For example, you might wear the ring on a chain or gift it to a loved one who can comfortably wear the jewelry at its current size.
How Much Does It Cost to Resize a Ring?
There’s no standard cost for resizing a ring. Instead, the total price depends on a few factors, such as:
- Material: When increasing the size of a ring, we consider the cost of any material we need to add to the ring. More expensive materials can increase the resizing cost.
- Band: Thinner bands tend to be easier and less expensive to resize, while thicker bands can cost a little more.
- Style: Simple ring designs are more straightforward and less expensive to resize, while complex styles take more time and expertise.
- Size: Adjusting a ring by less than a full size can cost very little, while adding or removing more than a size can increase the total cost.
A simple resizing job can cost in the double digits. If the ring is made of a more expensive material or if it has a more intricate design, the cost may be higher. Our team can provide you with an accurate estimate in advance so you know exactly what to expect from the beginning.
Need to have a ring resized or want to get an estimate? Make an appointment at AaLAND’s Northwest Indiana store and learn more about our ring resizing services today.
