January 3, 2022 How to correctly determine the size of a ring for a woman or a man is not an idle question, and it’s not even about engagement or pre-wedding troubles. No one wants a beautiful and expensive piece of jewelry to dangle on their finger or, conversely, to cut into the skin to the point of unpleasant marks. The difficulty is that each manufacturer, when indicating the size, is guided by the system of measures that is adopted in its country, hence frequent confusion among buyers.
Let's consider the generally accepted standard for sizes of jewelry rings in Russia and other countries, as well as ways to find out your own without leaving home or asking someone for help.
What is finger size? How to find out the right ring size?
Everything here is relatively simple - size refers to the diameter of the middle phalanx before its connection with the metacarpal bone. Roughly speaking, this is the place where it is customary to put a ring in most world cultural traditions. The problem for the average buyer here is not even due to the lack of a caliper or other measuring instrument - the metric system of measures is not adopted everywhere as a standard, even among European countries.
For Russia and the countries of the European Union, the standard for jewelry measurements is millimeters - the diameter of the finger rounded to a whole value will be the size of the jewelry. In the USA, despite the generally accepted English measure, rings are marked with an Arabic number in increments of 0.5 - a value from 4 to 13 is indicated. It is calculated using a formula with constants: the diameter in millimeters is multiplied by 1.2 and 13.8 is subtracted from the resulting number .
The British went their own way - they don’t write any quarter inches, but write a large Latin letter, which is assigned to the European measurement, although the profile books indicate a measurement step of 1/64 inches. In Japan, the situation is even more interesting - since oriental ladies have long been famous for their miniature hands, the spread begins with the number 1, which corresponds to the “children’s” Russian size 13; it is difficult to find this in our stores.
Is it possible to reduce the ring size?
There are 3 technologies for reducing rings made of precious materials in jewelry workshops:
- Tenderloin. The product is cut to the required length, and then soldered and leveled.
- Compression. Suitable only for straight rings, such as wedding rings. The product is driven into a special cone using a round knob.
- Insert. The most expensive and painstaking work. Used for jewelry with stones or complex patterns. The process involves soldering an additional ring into the inside of the old product.
Please note that products made from irradiated silver cannot withstand high temperatures when reduced, so craftsmen rarely take on such work.
If you don't have the opportunity to go to a jeweler, you can reduce your ring at home.
First, try changing the ring to another finger. If this does not suit you, use one of the recommendations:
- buy a special silicone insert, which is sold in jewelry or online stores;
- coat the inside surface of the decoration with nail polish, which will create additional volume.
You can also glue a piece of flesh-colored plaster onto your finger, but this method is quite inconvenient and short-lived.
Ring size correspondence table
The sizes of rings in different countries are presented more clearly in the table below:
| Pin diameter in mm | Finger circumference in mm | Russia and Europe | USA, Canada, Mexico | UK, Ireland, Australia, South Africa | Japanese size |
| 12,9 | 40,8 | 13 | — | — | 1 |
| 13,4 | 42,07 | 13,5 | — | — | 2 |
| 14,05 | 44,11 | 14 | — | F | 3 |
| 14,86 | 46,5 | 15 | 4 | H | 4 |
| 15,27 | 47,8 | 15,5 | 4,5 | I | 6 |
| 15,7 | 49 | 15,75 | 5 | J | 7 |
| 16,1 | 50,3 | 16 | 5,5 | K | 8 |
| 16,51 | 51,5 | 16,5 | 6 | L | 9 |
| 16,92 | 52,8 | 17 | 6,5 | M | 10 |
| 17,35 | 54 | 17,25 | 7 | N | 11 |
| 17,75 | 55,3 | 17,75 | 7,5 | O | 12 |
| 18,19 | 56,6 | 18 | 8 | P | 13 |
| 18,53 | 57,6 | 18,5 | 8,5 | Q | 14 |
| 18,89 | 59,1 | 19 | 9 | R | 15 |
| 19,41 | 60,3 | 19,5 | 9,5 | S | 16 |
| 19,84 | 61,6 | 20 | 10 | T | 17 |
| 20,2 | 62,8 | 20,25 | 10,5 | U | 18 |
| 20,68 | 64,1 | 20,75 | 11 | V | 19 |
| 21,08 | 65,3 | 21 | 11,5 | W | 20 |
| 21,49 | 66,6 | 21,25 | 12 | X | 22 |
| 21,89 | 67,9 | 21,75 | 12,5 | Y | — |
| 22,33 | 69,1 | 22 | 13 | Z | — |
Russian manufacturers today have adopted a simplified metric system - in millimeters without hundredths after the decimal point. If a piece of jewelry is going to the export market, then a similar sizing plate is printed in its passport as a reminder to the buyer.
Is it possible to increase the ring size?
The main rule is do not try to enlarge the ring yourself unless you have special training. It is better to contact a jeweler who will select the correct method of enlargement and will not spoil the product.
In a jewelry workshop, rings are enlarged in 4 ways:
- Rolling out. Not suitable for very thin products, as they become more fragile after the procedure.
- Stretching. Can only be used for straight rings without stones or openwork inserts. The master heats the material and then stretches the product into a cone-shaped shape.
- Insert. Suitable for enlarging thin rings. The product is cut, and a piece of metal is inserted into the cut and soldered.
- Boring. The procedure is carried out if the jewelry is very small. The master grinds off the maximum permissible layer of metal and polishes the surface.
Before purchasing a ring, take the necessary measurements. You can measure a finger or an old piece of jewelry. If you order a product online, please be aware that sizing may be based on US or European measurements. If you end up buying a ring that doesn't fit, don't despair. You can always exchange your purchase within 2 weeks, the main thing is to keep the receipt.
Using an old ring
If the question is how to determine the size of a wedding ring for a girl, preferably in such a way that she does not find out about the upcoming surprise, you will have to resort to a little trick. To do this, you will need any ring that the lady of the heart wears on the ring finger of her left hand - trace it with a simple pencil along the inside on a checkered sheet of paper and measure the diameter using a ruler. This step will not take much time.
For those who trust their eye and sensations more, measure using your own finger. It doesn’t matter whether it’s on the little finger or the second phalanx of the ring finger, it’s enough to remember the position when the ring fits tightly to the skin and is removed without effort or discomfort. A few successful workouts will help you get by in the store literally “on your own.”
Method No. 3. Use graphic skills
If the owner wears his ring constantly, taking it off only for housework or taking a bath, take advantage of the minutes of access to the jewelry as clearly as possible: place the ring on a piece of paper and trace it with a thin pen along the inner contour. This way you will have a sample drawing, and by applying the rings to it in a jewelry store, you will quickly calculate the right size. No paper at hand? Try the ring on your finger and mark with a pen the line to which it is put on ( the method is suitable for men, because it only works with a ring smaller than yours
).
- Who is this method suitable for?
Those who always have writing utensils at hand, as well as inventive men who can quickly come up with a good reason to try on women's jewelry if discovered. - Pros:
You can find out your ring size without asking directly and keeping your intentions a secret. - Cons:
you need to act accurately, quickly and decisively.
What do you need to consider to correctly determine the ring size for your finger?
Based on the above, several key conclusions can be drawn:
- Each manufacturing country uses jewelry labeling generally accepted on its territory. If the ring does not come with explanatory notes, it is better to carefully study the size chart.
- In Russia and European countries (except for Great Britain and Ireland), the metric system is used, indicating the diameter of the middle phalanx of the ring or middle finger. Most jewelry factories adhere to this classification unless otherwise noted.
- Jewelry from Japan, China and other eastern countries may not meet official sizing standards, especially women's rings. There are much more miniature hands among Asian women than among European women.
- Determining the size of a ring at home is easy and quick using the most ordinary sewing thread, tape and a stationery ruler - there is no need to try to measure the diameter with an instrument not suitable for this - the result is unlikely to be accurate, and the risk of injuring sensitive skin is quite real.
- When you don’t have the opportunity or confidence in your own abilities, ask a friend or loved one to help with measurements. Teamwork always wins.
How to measure a ring size at home?
You can determine the diameter of the decoration at home. The procedure itself will take a minimum of time and does not require any tools. All measuring devices are always at hand.
It makes no difference who chooses the ring: a man or a woman. All measurements are the same for any gender.
In a jewelry store
In stores selling jewelry, there is always a special device for measuring fingers - a finger gauge. It is available in all possible sizes. Plan a trip to the jewelry department on a clear day, at lunchtime. Do not drink a lot of liquid before fitting.
Determine by existing ring
If you have the opportunity to take a ring unnoticed without permission, arm yourself with jewelry and use its diameter as a guide when selecting it.
If you can't borrow an accessory for a long time, take a piece of plasticine or other soft material. Place the ring on the plasticine and press firmly. Get a print of your jewelry to go shopping with.
Determine ring size by clothing
Please note that the information used for this method is average and is not suitable for everyone, since there are people with different body types and finger thicknesses.
However, according to average statistics, clothing sizes correspond to a certain ring diameter. Take a look at the tag on the clothes your lover usually wears. If she has the size:
- S – ring 15.5–16.5 is suitable;
- M – 16.5–17.5;
- L – 17.5–18.5;
- XL – 18.5–19.5;
- XXL and more – 20–22.
Using this method, you will know at least approximate parameters.
Thread
To determine the size, you will need a dense thread made of natural material; synthetic and viscous threads will not work.
To find out the size:
- Wrap the thread around your finger 5 times.
- Make sure that the tape passes well through the joint.
- Cut the resulting ring and measure the circumference.
- Divide the result by 15.7.
As a result, you will get the right size. Please note that if the result is not a multiple of 0.5, round the result up.
Strip of paper
Cut a strip of paper equal in width to the thickness of the ring. Wrap the paper around your finger, remembering to take into account the thickness of the joint. Mark the measurement and measure the resulting length with a ruler. Using a table or simple calculations, determine the correspondence of the values.
School ruler
A simple and fairly reliable method. Simply measure the inside diameter of the decoration with a regular ruler. The final result will be the required value. For example, if you get 1.7 cm as a result, then this will be equal to size 17.
Finger width
The easiest, but not very effective method, since determining the width of a finger down to a millimeter is extremely difficult. Measure the width of your finger at the very base. The resulting result will be the size.
Make a cast or handprint
Invite your crush to make a handprint together on clay or any self-hardening material.
Or simply make an imprint on paper, having previously applied gouache or special paints for such “creativity” to the back of your fingers and palms.
Reference! In this case, you will kill not even two, but three birds with one stone: you will have a great time, you will have a cast or print of your hands as a keepsake, and, most importantly, you will now be able to choose the ring size based on this print.
The video describes quick ways to find out the diameter of a girl’s finger:
Involve mutual friends in the matter
If you know one of your girlfriend’s relatives or friends, then you can ask them about what ring size is suitable for your beloved. Sometimes they already know this information and, of course, they will be happy to share it with you.
It may also turn out that the size of the hands of your loved one and, for example, her mother or best friend are the same. In this case, all you have to do is take them with you to the jewelry store to try them on and thus decide on the size of the ring.
If this method does not work, then ask the same mother, sister or friend, as if by chance, to take your passion to the jewelry store, where they can try on as many rings as possible with her and, thus, find out what size she is.
Important! At the same time, you can also ask your girlfriend’s friend or sister to see what kind of design and style of ring she will try on, and then tell you. This will help you decide on the jewelry model itself if you can’t choose it yourself.
Size-ratio table
When ordering jewelry on foreign websites, you may encounter the problem of number ratio. In this case, it is convenient to use a value conversion table.
| Russia | Europe | Asia |
| 15.7 | 50 | 9 |
| 16.1 | 52 | 10 |
| 16.5 | 53 | 11 |
| 16.9 | 54 | 13 |
| 17.3 | 55 | 14 |
| 17.7 | 56 | 15 |
| 18.1 | 58 | 16 |
| 18.5 | 59 | 17 |
| 18.9 | 60 | 18 |
| 19.4 | 61 | 19 |
| 19.8 | 62.75 | 20 |
Other ways to find out your ring size
For a man, especially an inexperienced one, it will be an impossible task to choose the most suitable ring. In order to find out its size in advance, you can use one of the methods, for example, take the jewelry from her hand, make a print or cast. You can also calculate the diameter of the desired product based on your finger, glove, or the girl’s parameters, and if you have any difficulties with this, then all you have to do is ask her friends or acquaintances for help.
Measure with a thread
There is another way to determine a girl’s ring size. You will need a thin but dense thread and scissors. The principle of operation is similar:
- Prepare a small piece of thick thread. It is better if it is in one layer to make it easier to measure and not get confused when determining the diameter.
- Carefully wrap the finger of a sleeping beloved person.
- Fix the joints and release your finger from the thread.
Using a thread, you can also determine the diameter of a girl's ring. To do this, wrap the decoration around it 3-5 times, then mark the ends and cut off the rest. The entire length of the thread should be measured and divided by a constant factor of 15.7, the resulting result should be rounded up. The resulting figure is the desired parameter, measured in millimeters.
Take a photo of your hand
You can also take a photo of a girl’s hand, which also contains other objects, for example, your hands or a tennis ball, by measuring which you can already calculate the required size.
Important! It should be remembered that this is not the most reliable method, since based on the approximate ratios of the beloved’s hands and other objects, it is very easy to make a mistake with the size. Moreover, due to the distortion of perspective in the photograph, they may initially appear larger or smaller than they actually are.
Using a paper pattern
You can also find on the Internet and print on paper a pattern in the form of a reamer, in the wide part of which a slot is made and a narrow tip is inserted there.
It is pulled up to the required level, after which a mark is made at this place.
Important! If you need to maintain secrecy during this “operation,” then it is better not to go to the girl with a printout, since the size will already be indicated on it, which will lead your beloved to certain guesses.
In this case, take the cut out pattern, circle it on paper, but do not put down the dimensions, then cut out a “clean” version of the pattern and go take measurements with it. Then, after returning home, you just have to attach it to the printout and mark the desired size there.
How to find out the size of a ring using a paper pattern is shown in the video:
