A ring that fits well is one you stop noticing. It stays put when you wash your hands, slides over the knuckle with a little resistance and comes off at the end of the day without a struggle. When a ring no longer does that, whether it’s a new engagement ring, a wedding band you’ve worn for years or a ring that has been handed down to you, it can usually be put right.
Most rings can be resized, up or down. The exceptions are rings with stones or a pattern all the way round, such as a full eternity ring. If you’re not yet sure what size you need, start with our guide to how to find your ring size.
At Anupam, we resize rings in our own workshop in Ashford, near Staines. Here, we explain how the work is done, what affects the price and the wait, and which rings are better left as they are.
How is a ring resized?
It depends which way the ring is going.
- Making a ring smaller: a small section of the band is cut out, the two ends are drawn together and soldered, and the ring is brought back to a true circle on a mandrel.
- Making a ring larger: the band is cut and a piece of matching metal is soldered in to fill the gap. For a very small change, the band can sometimes be gently stretched instead.
The join is then filed back and polished. The metal that’s added matches the ring: 9ct gold for 9ct, 14ct for 14ct, 18ct for 18ct and platinum 950 for platinum 950.
Some stones don’t like the heat of soldering. Pearls, opals and emeralds especially are protected or lifted out of the setting before the work begins.
What happens to white gold?
A white gold ring (9ct, 14ct or 18ct) is usually re-plated with rhodium after it has been resized. The bright white finish is a thin plating, and polishing the repair removes it from that part of the band. When we resize a white gold ring, our price includes the rhodium plating.
Our post on why white gold turns yellow explains the plating in more detail.
How much does it cost to resize a ring?
We don’t have set prices for resizing, whether the ring is 9ct, 14ct or 18ct gold or platinum 950, and whether it’s going up or down. Every ring is different: we need to look at its style, its setting and the type of gemstone, because all of these affect the price.
The best thing is to bring the ring in to us. We’ll measure the finger it’s to be worn on, so the new size is accurate, and give you a price once we’ve assessed the ring.
How long does it take to resize a ring?
Because the work is done at our own bench, there’s no postal wait, but on site doesn’t mean same day. How long a resize takes depends on how complex the job is and how busy we are at the time. We allow up to two weeks for most repairs, resizing included, and it can take longer at busy times such as Christmas. When you book the ring in, we’ll talk through the timing with you.
If you need the ring back for a particular date, such as a wedding, an anniversary or a birthday, tell us when you bring it in.
Which rings can’t be resized?
Most plain and stone-set rings can be resized. A few kinds can be altered only a little, or not at all.
| Type of ring | Can it be resized? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Plain band in 9ct, 14ct or 18ct gold, or platinum 950 | Usually, yes | There is plain metal at the back to cut and join |
| Solitaire, or another ring with its stones at the front | Usually, yes | The work is done at the back, away from the stones |
| Half eternity ring | Usually, a little | It depends how far round the stones go |
| Full eternity ring | Not usually | Stones all the way round leave no plain metal to cut, and moving the band would loosen the stones |
| Band with a pattern all the way round | Often only a little, or not at all | A join would interrupt the pattern |
| Tungsten or ceramic ring | No | Neither can be cut and soldered, so the size has to be right when you buy |
A ring that needs to move several sizes may be better remade than stretched. If a full eternity ring is a little loose, a ring guard, a small spring or a pair of beads fitted inside the band, can help it stay put. If it’s too small, the honest answer is sometimes that the ring needs to be remade, and we’ll tell you which.
Our post on eternity rings explains the difference between half and full, and you can browse both in our eternity ring collection.
How do I know if a ring is too big or too small?
A ring that’s too big spins on the finger so the stone slips round to the palm, slides over the knuckle with no resistance, or falls off when your hands are cold or wet.
A ring that’s too small leaves a deep mark, is hard to get over the knuckle, or won’t come off at the end of the day.
Fingers change through the day and through the seasons, so one tight evening isn’t a reason to resize. Our advice: wear the ring for several days, in warm weather and cold, before you decide.
If a ring is stuck and your finger is swollen, sore or numb, don’t force it. Raise your hand to bring the swelling down and get help the same day.
Our ring size guide shows how to check your size properly.
Have a ring resized at Anupam
If a ring has stopped fitting, or one has been handed down to you, bring it to us in Ashford. We’ll look at it with you and explain what can be done.
While it’s on the bench is also a good moment to have the claws and setting checked. Our guide to how to look after your jewellery explains what to look for.
You can see everything else we do on our workshop page, or book a time with us.
Frequently asked questions
How much bigger is one ring size?
In UK sizes, each letter adds roughly 1.3mm to the inside circumference of a ring, or about 0.4mm across. Half sizes sit between the letters, for a finger that falls between two.
Can a ring be resized more than once?
Usually, yes. Each resize means cutting and heating the band again, though, so it’s worth taking the time to settle on the right size rather than adjusting it back and forth.
Does a wider ring need a bigger size?
It can. A wide band covers more of the finger and often feels tighter than a slim band of the same size. When you check your size, try a band close to the width you plan to wear.
Will resizing affect the setting?
A change of a size or so is made at the back of the band, away from the setting. A large change puts more strain on the shape of the ring.
Can an inherited ring be resized?
Usually, as long as it isn’t one of the types in the table above. An older ring may have a thinning band or worn claws after years of wear, and those are worth putting right at the same time. If you’re not sure whether to wear it, remodel it or keep it as it is, read what to do with inherited jewellery.
