Engagement Ring Size - How to Guess the Right Size While Keeping the Surprise
You’ve decided to pop the question to the love of your life! You’d like to have a surprise proposal with the perfect engagement ring already purchased. How can you present your diamond engagement ring without her trying it on to find your partner’s ring size?
We are going to give you some tips on discreetly getting as close as possible to that perfect fit. Let’s look at some factors like hand/finger size, ring measuring time of day, getting help from friends or family, and methods of measuring the ring finger for wedding rings.
How Finger Size Relates to Hand Shape
The shape of your hand and fingers can significantly affect how a ring fits and what size will feel most comfortable.
Finger Knuckles (Large Knuckles vs. Slim Fingers)
If the bride-to-be has prominent knuckles, but slimmer fingers, you may need a slightly larger ring to get it over the knuckle. However once on, the ring may spin or feel loose. In such cases, you might consider a ring with a comfort fit or using ring adjusters. This applies to both engagement rings and wedding bands.
Slim knuckles and fingers will do better with a snugger fit since the ring doesn't have to navigate a wider knuckle to sit in place.
Engagement Ring Trends
Slim knuckles and fingers may do better with a snugger fit since the ring doesn't have to navigate a wider knuckle to sit in place. With current engagement ring trends leaning towards daintier, more minimalist designs, a snugger fit not only complements the aesthetics but also provides more security for those with slim fingers.
Tapered Fingers (Slim Base, Wider Knuckle)
People with tapered fingers (where the finger widens from the base to the knuckle) often face challenges with finding the right balance in size. A size too small may not go over the knuckle, while a size too large may cause the ring to spin.
A jeweler might recommend a snugger fit that passes the knuckle with a bit of resistance. When thinking about resetting your engagement ring later on, this consideration becomes very important, as resizing can affect how comfortably the ring sits on tapered fingers.
Thicker or Wider Fingers
For people with thicker or wider fingers, rings with wide bands tend to fit better. Wide bands may feel tighter than thinner bands in the same size, so you may need to go up half a size for comfort. A thicker finger also means the ring size should be more precise to avoid squeezing or discomfort.
Slender Fingers
Those with long, slender fingers can often wear a range of ring sizes comfortably, but proportion is important. A ring that is too wide may overpower the finger, so choosing a style that complements the finger shape is key.
Slim fingers can also make rings spin more easily, so a tighter fit or using sizing beads inside the ring can help with this.
Flat vs. Round Fingers
Flat fingers may require a slightly larger size than round fingers of the same width because there’s less flesh around the circumference.
Rings usually slide more easily but need to be adjusted for the tightness or looseness felt across the whole circumference.
Hand Size and Proportions
Overall hand size can influence the ring size too. Those with larger hands may need a bigger size ring, while petite hands may require smaller sizes. Similarly, the design of the ring should match the hand size for balance–chunky rings for larger hands and delicate designs for smaller hands.
In summary, both the shape and proportions of the fingers and hands will affect the way a ring fits and feels. It’s important to consider both comfort and aesthetics when choosing the size and ring style. Trying on rings is the most accurate method, but you can also consult with a jeweler to help ensure the best fit when trying to keep the diamond engagement ring a surprise.
Time of Day
The time of day can impact the accuracy of measuring ring size due to natural fluctuations in finger size throughout the day. Here are some key factors.
Swelling
Fingers tend to swell later in the day due to activities like exercise, heat, or fluid retention. The size difference is usually small within those fluctuations, but measuring ring size when your finger is swollen will impact the correct size needed.
Temperature
Warm temperatures cause fingers to expand, while cold temperatures make them shrink. This is especially noticeable if the temperature is cooler in the morning versus warmer in the evening.
Methods to Measure Ring Size
The most reliable way to get the right ring size when guessing is to combine several approaches to reduce the margin of error.
Ask Friends or Family
If you’re close with their friends or family (and they can keep a secret), one of them might already know the ring size or can subtly ask without raising suspicion. They could also compare hand sizes and have your partner try on one of their rings. The topic of ring sizes could be brought up casually during a conversation about fashion or jewelry.
Borrow a Ring
If they wear rings on their fingers, you could borrow one they wear on their ring finger (preferably from the left hand). Take the ring to a jeweler to measure it, or you can use a ring sizer at home.
If you cannot borrow a ring from their left hand, try borrowing a different ring from their dominant hand. One’s dominant hand is typically about a half-size larger than that of the non-dominant hand.
So for example, if the non-dominant hand is a size 6, the same finger on the dominant hand might be closer to a size 6.5. Let your jeweler know what hand and finger from which you borrowed the ring.
Use a Sizing Chart on Borrowed Rings
If the ring is from a different finger (e.g. the middle or index), a jeweler can try to help figure out the ring finger size along with knowledge of their hand shape.The most accurate way will always be to measure from a ring already worn on her ring finger.
Sizing charts are available from some jewelers. Sites like Amazon offer measuring tools and measuring guides, plastic ring sizer templates, as well as ring adjusters for loose rings for a fair guess of ring size.
Ring size guides and ring size charts can also be found online that offer a printable ring sizer that you can download. While helpful, these methods will not be totally accurate
Some apps allow you to place a ring on your phone screen and it will tell you the size. If you can borrow one of their rings for just a few seconds, this could work, but is not guaranteed accurate.
Measuring For a Ring
Take an existing ring and trace the inside of the ring and diameter of the ring as accurately as possible. Or place a piece of string around the inside of a ring and mark the spot where it meets. A jeweler can measure the string with a ruler and use a sizing chart to find the ring’s size.
You could possibly create a game that includes measuring everyone's finger with a string to keep suspicion down.
Resizing Your Ring
If you do end up purchasing a ring that needs to be resized, let’s take a look at the process. Resizing a ring involves altering its size by either increasing or decreasing its circumference, depending on whether it needs to be made larger or smaller when the ring isn’t a perfect fit.
The average ring size for women’s rings is typically between size 6 and size 7. Size 6 is the most common. The actual size will of course vary depending on individual factors such as height, weight, and hand structure of the future bride.
Taller women with larger hands might wear a 7 or 8, while petite women may be closer to size 4 or 5. If you’re completely unsure, starting with a size 6 or 7 is a safe guess with most professional jeweler’s ability to resize the ring if needed.
Making a Ring Smaller
To reduce the size, a professional jeweler will cut out a small section of the band and remove the excess material. Then they will carefully solder the ring shank back together. Afterward the jeweler smooths and polishes the ring so the cut is invisible.
Most rings can be reduced by 1 to 2 sizes. However, resizing too much can compromise the structural integrity of the ring, especially in delicate bands. If your ring has a lot of gemstones, they will need to be retightened as well.
If the ring has intricate designs, engravings, or gemstones on the band, resizing could distort these features. The jeweler must take extra care to maintain the design. For example, an eternity band with gemstones around the entire band would probably not resize well.
Below are two beautiful examples of engagement rings with a simple band and an ornate band.
Making a Ring Larger
If the ring needs to be made slightly larger (up to half a size), the jeweler can stretch the band by using a mandrel (tapered rod) and a ring stretcher. However, stretching is only possible with very simple bands (with no stones) and to a very limited extent.
For more significant size increases, the jeweler will cut the band and insert a small piece of matching metal. Then they will need to solder the ring back together and polish it to ensure a smooth and seamless finish.
Similar to making a ring smaller, resizing is typically limited to about 1 to 2 sizes. Stretching too much can weaken the precious metal or warp the shape of the ring.
What Materials Can Be Resized
Gold and platinum are precious metals that can generally be resized relatively easily by an experienced jeweler.
Titanium and tungsten are much harder and often cannot be resized. You may need to exchange the ring for a different size.
If the gemstones are set around the band (e.g. eternity rings), resizing is more complex and sometimes is not possible without affecting the stone settings. Gemstones that are set in prongs along the band may need to be adjusted or reset during resizing.
Cost of Resizing
Making a ring smaller is usually less expensive because it involves removing material. Making a ring larger tends to be more expensive, especially if extra precious metal needs to be added.
The cost varies depending on the material, the complexity of the ring design, engagement ring settings, and how many sizes the ring needs to be adjusted.
Post-Resizing Inspection
After resizing, it’s important to inspect the ring carefully. Look for any visible seams or weak spots, Check the alignment of gemstones and engravings. Make sure the ring feels comfortable and fits securely.
Always have any resizing done by a skilled, professional jeweler.
Time to Purchase Your Perfect Engagement Ring
When you are ready to do your ring shopping, we welcome you to our jewelry store to see our showroom at The Estate Watch and Jewelry Company. We have a trusted reputation and provide a wide variety of engagement rings, wedding bands, cut diamonds, and expertise!
We can help guide you in finding the right ring styles and ring size. We have professional jewelers who can help you resize or design your perfect engagement ring. Let us help you create your surprise engagement with the ring of your dreams!