What To Do If Your Ring Size Changes
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The ever-classic ring is a jewelry staple that holds many meanings. Wedding and engagement rings represent lasting commitment, fashion rings showcase unique tastes and right hand rings bring symbolic style. This jewelry is meant to fit comfortably, but changes in weight, lifestyle and even the weather may cause your ring size to change. We’re sharing what to know about ring size changes and what to do if you need to adjust the size of your ring temporarily or permanently.
The Basics of Sizing
Ring size refers to the diameter of a ring, with different fingers on each hand having their own size. The ring finger, which is the fourth finger on the left hand, is typically the most popular spot for wearing a ring. But people also enjoy wearing rings on their other fingers, and it’s all about personal style.
Typically, the pointer finger on your dominant hand will have the largest ring size. It’s very common to have size differences between your larger and smaller fingers, even on the same hand. We suggest referring to our guide on how to find your ring size to understand which size is best for the finger you’d like to wear a ring on.
What To Know About Ring Size Changes
There are many different factors that can cause our ring sizes to change. Some size changes are temporary, which can be addressed with nonpermanent fixes. Other size changes may be for good, which is when it’s time to consider resizing your ring with the help of a jeweler.
Temporary Size Changes
Temporary size changes are ones that are influenced by factors that will normalize after a given period of time. Common situations that can cause your ring size to fluctuate include:
- Changes in weather
- Hormonal changes
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Eating a high sodium meal
- Temporary weight changes
- Fluid retention
- Time of day
- Reactions to some medications
- Elevation changes
These temporary ring size changes can be small, such as a quarter or half a size difference. This often results in being able to put your ring on, but having it fight a little tighter or looser than normal. In fact, most people find that their exact ring size changes throughout the day, though only minimally so. Temporary size changes influenced by pregnancy may be more drastic and last longer, even taking some time after delivery before the size normalizes.
What To Do If Size Changes Temporarily
Short-term finger size changes often resolve on their own. For example, many people find that their finger size changes throughout the day. A ring that fits a little too tightly in the morning will fit better in the afternoon. The best thing to do is to be patient and wait for your finger size to normalize.
If your ring is too tight to put on during your temporary size change, simply leave it at home or wear it on your favorite chain until you can comfortably put the ring back on. If it is too loose temporarily, consider adding a plastic adjuster or adding a smaller stacking ring to hold the larger one in place.
We do not recommend having your ring professionally and permanently resized during pregnancy, as your long-term ring size may be different after giving birth.
Permanent Size Changes
While many instances of finger size changes are temporary, some are permanent. Permanent size changes can be caused by:
- Weight changes
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Medical conditions
- Aging
Every person is unique, so while these are common factors, you may have a different situation that’s resulted in your ring size changing permanently.
What To Do If Size Changes Permanently
If your finger size has changed for good, it’s time to enlist the help of an expert jeweler to adjust your ring’s fit. For sizing up, make an appointment at your local jewelry store. For sizing down permanently, you can have a jeweler resize the ring or add precious metal sizing beads bars to get your desired fit.
How To Tell If a Ring Is Too Small
Your ring may be too small if:
- It leaves lines or marks on your finger
- You can’t comfortably close your hand with the ring on
- It doesn’t slide down easily
- You have difficulty getting the ring over your knuckle
- It feels uncomfortably tight
- Your finger bulges above or below the ring
- You can’t spin it when it’s on your finger
These are a few signs that your ring is too small for your finger. Remember, some factors that can make a ring fit too tightly may be temporary. It’s best to consult with a jeweler you trust before permanently resizing your ring.
What To Do If a Ring Is Too Small
When a ring fits too snugly, resizing is the only way to get things to fit comfortably. But you should only have your ring resized if your finger size has changed permanently. Repeatedly resizing a ring for temporary fit changes can be unnecessary and damaging to the longevity of the ring.
How To Tell If a Ring Is Too Big
Your ring may be too large if:
- It keeps spinning around the base of your finger on its own
- Your hands have gotten smaller since you got your ring
- It moves up and down your finger
- You’re afraid it’s going to fall off your hand
- It slides when you’re washing your hands
Changes in weather, elevation and lifestyle can all cause a ring to fit looser than normal. Talk to a jeweler before resizing your ring with permanent measures.
What To Do If a Ring Is Too Big
There are several ways to resize a ring that’s too big. For temporary fixes, add plastic sizing covers to the shank for a tighter fit. If you’re wondering how to make a big ring fit with a permanent solution, you’ll need the help of a jeweler. Your ring can likely be made smaller through sizing beads, sizing bars or traditional resizing techniques in which the shank is made smaller.
Choosing a Comfortable Fit
Your ring should be loose enough for you to slide it over your knuckle so it sits at the base of your finger, but it should be tight enough that it won’t slide over the knuckle on its own. A ring that leaves indentations on your finger is likely a little too tight. Our expert jewelers can help you find the right fit for your favorite ring styles.
Questions and Answers About Changing Finger Sizes
Rings should fit snug enough so they won’t fall off on their own. This typically means that you can slide your ring over your knuckle, having it rest securely and comfortably at the base of your finger.
Most silver, platinum and gold rings can be easily resized by jewelers. But some metals and designs cannot be resized. Many tungsten rings, pavé engagement rings and eternity rings can’t be resized. For those styles that can’t be resized, alternate sizing solutions can help many rings fit more comfortably.
Every person holds weight and fluids in different ways, so there is no exact number that will result in finger sizes changing. If you think weight changes have influenced your ring size, visit your jeweler to find your new fit.
Yes, ring sizes can fluctuate over time and even in the same day. Fluid retention, elevation, weather changes and other factors can all cause finger sizes to shift.
There are many things that can cause your ring finger to change sizes. Pregnancy, weight changes, lifestyle changes and even the weather are all factors that can cause your ring size to change.
Resizing a ring is typically a simple process. But there are many approaches jewelers take when they’re considering how to resize an engagement ring. More complex rings or resizing needs will result in longer turnaround times.
Ring resizing costs depend on the complexity of the job and the materials needed. Typically, it costs less to size a ring down than to size it up, because making a smaller ring bigger requires adding more gold, platinum, silver or other metals to get the ring up to its new size.
Environmental or lifestyle changes can result in ring size fluctuations.
