Rings are the most individual jewelry, very demanding on the physical parameters of the owners. If the size of the same earrings, chain or brooch affects exclusively the aesthetics of the product, then with rings the situation is fundamentally different.
A large ring is, to put it mildly, inconvenient to wear; too small is completely impossible. So, should you sell your favorite jewelry or put it in a box until better times?
Not at all necessary: there are ways to adjust the ring to size. They are not universal, they are not suitable for all products, and the range of size changes is limited to a maximum of a couple of units, but still!
So what to do if the ring is too small?
Why change your ring size?
There are many reasons for changing ring sizes. It could be:
- A significant change in a person's build. We are all human and from time to time we gain weight or lose weight. Naturally, this also affects the thickness of the fingers. Moreover: the diameter of the finger can change depending on the time of day, the amount of water drunk, ambient temperature and other factors. That is why it is recommended to try on rings in the middle of the day, not in the heat, and refrain from drinking large amounts of water.
- The appearance of swelling. Swelling is not always associated with diseases of the kidneys and cardiovascular system. Often this trouble is a companion to pregnancy, especially in the last trimester. In this case, you should definitely not rush to change the size of the jewelry. You can simply stop wearing it for a while or move it to a chain and hang it around your neck - and after a couple of months the swelling will subside and the size will return to prenatal values.
- Initial ring mismatch in size. Absolutely all jewelry stores that have physical retail space provide the opportunity to try on jewelry. It’s another matter when the ring is purchased as a gift (as is often the case with engagement models) and there is no possibility of preliminary fitting. It happens that rings are inherited. Sometimes they represent heirlooms of great value and must be treated with great care.
It is impossible to return a ring purchased in a regular retail chain to the store - jewelry cannot be exchanged or returned. If you are purchasing jewelry as a gift, it is better to use the services of online stores: a ring that does not fit in size can be returned within 14 days from the date of delivery.
So, if all other options have been exhausted, you really want to wear a ring, but it is too big or doesn’t fit, you can slightly adjust its size.
How much does it cost to stretch a ring?
Jewelers in any salon can stretch the ring. But you shouldn’t take your word for it, because in the worst case, you will lose your favorite ring forever. Be sure to inquire about the following things before entrusting your jewelry:
- way of doing the work;
- quality of the tools used;
- Is there a guarantee?
Important! Depending on the method chosen, part of the ring remains. In reliable shops, the jeweler should give you the part that was removed, and not keep it for himself.
The cost of ring enlargement starts from 600 rubles for a standard procedure (gold engagement ring without inserts). The more expensive the stone, the greater the risks. For a product with a diamond they will demand at least 2 thousand rubles. Specialists will not undertake work on a product that has cracks or chips.
Source
Is it possible to expand the ring at home?
It is theoretically possible to increase your ring size at home. But don’t think that this is simple and guaranteed to be safe for the product. Trying to enlarge a gold ring at home sometimes leads to damage to the jewelry. In some cases, it can be restored in a jewelry workshop, paying an impressive amount for it, in others, the damaged jewelry has to be melted down. There is nothing to say about the fate of the precious inserts!
So the decision to roll out a gold ring at home is justified only in one case: if you live in some remote corner and the nearest workshop is several hundred kilometers away. And even then you will have to come to terms with the inevitable risks.
To expand the ring at home, you need:
- Find (carve, borrow) a metal cone (like a jewelry “Buratino”).
- Measure the circumference of your finger, calculate the size and make a corresponding mark on the cone.
- Wrap the cone in foil to protect the decoration (remember: gold is a very soft metal).
- Heat the ring (very carefully) and place it on the cone.
- Take a hammer (ideally a rubber or wooden mallet) and gently tap the ring to try to lower the decoration to the specified level.
- Clean and polish the product (for example, with GOI paste).
You can increase the size of a small ring up to certain limits. Even with a professional approach, the maximum is a couple of sizes.
Quite massive rings with a smooth surface (for example, classic wedding bands) are best suited for processing. It is better not to experiment with products with a relief surface, precious stones and enamel - you are guaranteed to ruin the jewelry.
To begin with, it is better to roll out a not very valuable silver ring - as an experiment. If the result of the work suits you, you can begin manipulating gold, but with great caution!
other methods
If the size discrepancy is barely noticeable, an even simpler method will help you. It involves applying several layers of clear nail polish to the inside of the ring.
If the discrepancy is more than one size, you should look for a silicone tab. Despite the demand for this option, it is very difficult to find them on sale. If you can’t find it, turn to 3D printing technology, thanks to which they will make you an inlay that fits your finger size perfectly.
Remember that the 3D printed lining is short-lived and will only last about a year. So order a few at once and don't be discouraged if they wear out.
If you are still wondering how to reduce the size of your ring without interfering with its appearance, you can go to a jeweler and ask them to make a metal insert. This is a more expensive method, but it is durable and guaranteed not to spoil the appearance of your jewelry, regardless of whether it has a diamond or an ordinary engagement ring.
How to increase your ring size
You can increase the size of a gold wedding ring by a size or more in a jewelry workshop. The master will carefully examine the jewelry, make a verdict (as mentioned above, not all rings can be stretched), and report possible risks.
If there are no difficulties, the price of the work will be no more than 600–800 rubles (and sometimes less). The duration of the process is about 30–60 minutes. As a result, you will receive a piece of jewelry with uncompromised aesthetics and a perfect fit. So is it worth experimenting with jewelry at home?
There are several ways to increase the size of rings in a workshop environment. Let's look at each of them in detail.
Gold wedding ring with diamonds (go to the SUNLIGHT catalogue)
Rolling out
Here is one of the most popular ways to increase the size of jewelry rings. To implement it, you need a special rolling machine with a set of attachments for the ring sizes.
The process looks something like this:
- Select the required nozzle of the appropriate size.
- The ring is secured to the nozzle.
- Rotate the handle of the machine evenly.
- The ring rotates in the mechanism.
- The roller acts on the metal evenly from all sides, stretching it.
- Check the size and change the nozzle if necessary.
- Level the product with a crossbar and a jewelry mallet.
- Sand and polish the decoration.
A mechanical sheeting machine of the simplest design costs about five thousand rubles. You can also purchase it for home use. Handling such equipment is not difficult, but is it worth the expense and risk if such a service costs 600 rubles in a workshop?
Advanced jewelry workshops install modern equipment, including computer-controlled ring rolling machines. The entire process is carried out automatically, within a matter of minutes, and ideal accuracy of the parameters is achieved.
This option is applicable only for rings with a thick, smooth rim, because during operation its thickness decreases. It is not used for jewelry with complex surfaces, engravings, enamel, or items that are too lightweight (weighing up to one gram).
Stretching
If you have the appropriate experience and equipment, you can stretch a gold ring within fairly significant limits - up to three sizes. This method is used primarily for rings with a thin shank.
The main tool is the already mentioned “Pinocchio”, or in official language – a jewelry crossbar made of hardened steel with dimensional marks applied.
The ring is heated over the burner flame, cooled slightly and put on the crossbar (sometimes rotating). Then the ring is carefully moved to the desired size mark (usually with a jewelry hammer), ground and polished.
Insert
This option involves inserting metal into a specially sawn groove, then sealing it and final processing. It is used when rolling or stretching is impossible. This is how they work with jewelry with precious stones and some relief surfaces.
Inserting another metal is a very painstaking and delicate work, which not every master will undertake. It is necessary to accurately select a jewelry alloy of the appropriate standard and color, integrate its cutting, and even process it in such a way that no traces of intervention remain.
Gold ring with sapphires and diamonds (go to the SUNLIGHT catalogue)
In advanced salons, program-controlled laser equipment is used for such purposes; in small workshops, hand tools are used. In the second case, no worse result can be achieved, but much depends on the individual skill of the jeweler.
This option is not suitable for rings with a complex patterned surface - the relief may be disrupted. It can, of course, be restored, but at a different cost.
Boring
Boring is the last chance for many rings, and, what’s most offensive, not the cheapest ones. Unfortunately, this method has limited application: usually jewelers undertake to enlarge items by only half a size, or in the case of massive thick jewelry - by one size.
Boring involves removing part of the metal from the inside of the jewelry (if there is engraving there, you will have to say goodbye to it). This method is not suitable for rings with internal decor or a non-standard configuration. For example, chain rings, “crowns”, the famous “Love” and “nails” from Cartier are not bored.
But this option is ideal for rings with a diamond cut, enamel, a rotating bezel and other complex decorations on the outside. More precisely, sometimes this is the only way to “put” a ring that has become small on your finger.
Processing involves grinding the inner surface of the jewelry. The diameter increases due to the removal of metal, which, unfortunately, is an expected and irreplaceable loss.
Ring boring is done in almost all workshops; no special effort or skill is required on the part of the jeweler. The cost of work starts from 300 rubles.
In what cases will stretching be possible?
Jewelers have certain techniques that allow them to work with jewelry inlaid with stones. Stretching will work if it is possible to temporarily remove the jewelry from the metal without losing quality in the future. For this process, conventional rolling is used, which is typical for rings without inserts.
The procedure is not possible for jewelry that cannot be removed from the structure or is of high value, since the product may significantly lose value
Without loss of quality, for rings with inserts, tapers are used, which gradually increase the size, but changes during this procedure will be minimal. In addition, boring and inserting an additional element can be done to make the size larger, or cutting to reduce it. Boring is considered the safest and most popular type of ring resizing due to the fact that the inserts stay in place.
Which rings cannot be enlarged?
The workshops only work on items made from jewelry alloys. Almost everywhere they work with products made of gold and silver, but with platinum the situation is worse. The fact is that platinum is a very refractory and hard metal; it requires a very high temperature to heat it up, and special equipment is required for processing. So you will have to look for a workshop that works with platinum group metals.
It is theoretically possible to increase the size of a ring with a stone, but each specific case must be considered separately. Much depends on the method of setting the inserts, as well as on the properties of the minerals themselves. For example, diamonds are unlikely to suffer from heat, but emeralds or rubies can easily.
Organic inserts require especially delicate handling - very capricious pearls, amber, ivory, coral, and so on. In most cases, before rolling out a ring with a stone, the inserts have to be removed and then reintegrated into the jewelry, which entails additional costs.
Gold ring with cubic zirconia in the SUNLIGHT catalog
Rings with pavé diamonds and diamond chips are practically impossible to increase in size, especially if we are talking about very fashionable jewelry with a solid track (“belt” of stones).
Many jewelers refuse to work with mixed gold rings and items with complex surfaces. Once stretched or rolled out, the unique pattern may float, and it will be impossible to restore it.
It is definitely not possible to increase the size of rings made from jewelry alloys, jewelry ceramics or resin. It is almost impossible to work with enamel jewelry - it can crack or become irreversibly deformed when heated.
It is also impossible to vary the size of outwardly very presentable and massive, but inexpensive hollow jewelry - the walls will simply concave, the jewelry will lose its shape and all aesthetics.
The nuances of adjusting the size of rings with stones
Rings set with precious stones are quite difficult to enlarge. Only some of the described methods are suitable here. The enlargement procedure itself takes about 10 minutes and is often performed in the presence of the client. During the process, it is necessary to ensure that the jeweler removes the stone from the setting before enlarging. After all, even a durable diamond can suffer during the procedure.
Despite all of the above, it is important to know that increasing the size can sometimes ruin the ring, so you should not resort to it unless absolutely necessary. The increase is especially dangerous for rings with stones, patterns or engravings, as well as for thin products and inexpensive alloys.
Possible risks
When increasing the size of the ring with your own hands, you need to take into account the risk of irreversibly damaging the jewelry: the ring may become deformed, the pattern may float, the stones may fade or fall out. Considering the low cost of the corresponding operation in workshops, this risk can hardly be called justified.
Buy jewelry exactly in size, when choosing rings as a gift - contact online jewelry stores (this way, a product that doesn’t fit can be returned or replaced). And don’t rush to change the size of your jewelry during the summer heat or pregnancy.
17.09.21
What to do if the engagement ring is too small
January 23, 2014
Author KakSimply!
A wedding ring is a difficult piece of jewelry, as one famous song says. And there is some truth in this. For some, a wedding ring is a symbol; for others, it is a talisman. Of course, there are those who do not attach any special sacred meaning to it. However, such decoration leaves almost no one indifferent. One of the problems that couples often face over time is the change in ring size. More precisely, not the ring itself, but the finger on which it is worn. As a result, a problem arises when the engagement ring becomes too small. And this is where the question arises: what to do with it?
If your engagement ring has become too small or too big for you (really? More often it’s still small), this doesn’t mean you need to panic. Remember - the situation can be improved. It is enough to find a competent jewelry craftsman.
What to do with an engagement ring if it becomes small
The procedure used to increase the size of jewelry is called rolling. In some cases, it can be used to enlarge the ring by 2 sizes. It is done quite simply. The ring is heated red-hot and carefully rolled out on a special metal rod. It is made in the shape of a pyramid, where the maximum thickness is at the base. At the same time, the rod itself is made of ledges designed for different sizes of rings.
There is an opinion that rings with stones or rings should not be rolled out. Actually this is not true. After all, only metal is rolled out. In addition, the master can use another option to increase the size of the ring.
If the ring is decorated with a stone, you can increase its size by sawing. To do this, first a stone is taken out, then the ring is carefully sawed in the place opposite to where the stone is fastened, arranged by inserting an additional piece of metal, soldered at the joints, and the stone is transferred back.
Alternatively, you can take both wedding rings - both women's and men's - and melt them down into new ones that will be the same size.
What to do with a small wedding ring if you don’t use drastic measures
There are people who are afraid to take their jewelry to workshops. There can be many reasons for this - from fear of being stolen to religious beliefs. At the same time, hand over the ring in order to get another one for it, pawn it, etc. not an option for them. Just like putting the jewelry in the box. In this case, there are options for solving this problem.
For example, you can hang a small ring on a chain and wear it as a locket.
This method is quite controversial, because... It’s still a ring, and pendants or a cross are often worn on the neck. However, if this ring is not just a wedding ring, but a wedding ring, you can do the same with it.
In addition, experts assure that the ring cannot become small out of the blue. If your fingers are plump, then there is a logical explanation for this. For example, hormonal problems that cause you to gain weight. Or swelling began to appear. In both cases, this is not good. To make the ring fit you again, take care of your health and eliminate these problems.
There is nothing terrible in the situation of reducing the size of the ring. The main thing is not to panic and make an informed decision. In any case, the choice will be yours.
Source
