The size of the ring is one of the most important things your jeweler needs to know before crafting your custom engagement jewelry. Here are three things you need to know about engagement ring sizing.
1. Avoid Guessing the Ring Size
Do you have an elaborate scheme to surprise your beloved with a marriage proposal and you want the ring to remain a secret? That's a great plan, unless the ring is too small to fit on your loved one's finger.
A properly fitted engagement ring has the following qualities:
- Ring slides over knuckle without force
- Ring fits snugly and comfortably
- Gem setting remains upright
- Ring cannot slide off tapered finger
In some cases, a ring may slide over a wide knuckle yet be too loose on the ring-portion of the finger. The stone setting will tilt to the right or left, or the ring will obnoxiously rotate around the finger.
A proper ring sizing by your jeweler is the only way to determine the correct size ring for your partner. At the sizing, a set of graduated measuring rings is used to determine the best ring size. Called finger-sizing gauges, these rings help show how well each size ring acts once on your finger.
It may kill the surprise to have your loved one's finger measured, but the long-term satisfaction with the ring is worth it. Your soon-to-be spouse is also less likely to lose the engagement ring when it fits just right.
2. Ensure the Ring Finger Is Ready to Be Measured
There are several variables that can alter the ideal engagement ring size. For one thing, fingers swell slightly at different times of the day. Exercise, work activities, and hot temperatures can all increase the finger size.
Cold fingers will be able to wear smaller sizes that are too tight when the hands warm to normal temperatures. For these reasons, experts recommend that people who've been in cold or hot conditions let their hands rest before a ring sizing at the jewelers.
Arrive a bit early for your ring sizing appointment to allow your future spouse's hands to warm or cool when outdoor conditions are extreme. Also have your partner avoid doing heavy work or exercising directly before the fitting to ensure an accurate ring size.
3. Understand the Size Differences Due to Band Type
You may be able to pull off your engagement ring surprise if you can get your hands on a ring that fits your loved one's ring finger. If you take a ring to your jeweler, they can measure the jewelry on a mandrel or ring stick to give you the ring's size.
However, this is not a fail-safe method to ensure you get the correct ring size, because all rings are not created equal. Thicker engagement-ring bands fit more snugly than thin bands of the same size. Only if you order a ring of a similar band width will you get a similar fit on the finger.
If you plan to order a wider engagement band than your sample ring, the ring will need to be a slightly larger size to fit on the hand. Also, remember that the ring finger on a person's dominant hand may be ½ size larger than the ring finger on the non-dominant hand.
As long as the ring isn't ridiculously over- or under-sized, it can be resized if you get the numbers wrong. Just don't order an eternity-type ring if you aren't absolutely sure about the correct size. Ring bands that are set completely with stones can only be resized a tiny bit, if at all.
Contact
Marla's Gem Creations to schedule your engagement ring sizing and custom ring order. We take careful, professional measurements to ensure an accurate, comfortable ring fit on the finger.
