Ring Sizing
Here's a biology fact: Nobody's fingers stay the same size forever. Of course, it's easy to see how one's fingers grow into adulthood, but even then, subtle changes in a woman or man's life can change a ring size. For example, water retention, pregnancy, ageing, weight gain/loss, and the effect of hormones like cortisol can all change one's fingers tremendously.
Since rings don't change size on their own, it can be difficult to wear your favourite ring when you've had a lifestyle change that's affected your ring size. When it comes to having that glamorous ring resized, there's a couple of methods that you can keep in mind when you stop into your local jeweller.
Sizing Down Your Ring
If you had a ring purchased when you weighed a little more or when you were pregnant, there's a good possibility that your ring may be too big for your finger now. Fortunately, the process of sizing a ring down is usually a lot easier than making a ring bigger. One of the most common methods of sizing a ring down is by way of sizing beads. When your repair specialist takes your ring, they can solder small beads to the inside of the band, closing the distance between your finger and the metal. Alternatively, for a more comfortable option, a jeweller can add a spring insert that's shaped like a horseshoe. The insert opens to allow your knuckle entry, then closes around your finger.Generally speaking, it's easier and less permanent to size your ring down, but there are times when it is necessary to alter the shape of the ring. As an individual ages, they may develop arthritis while losing volume in their soft tissue. This means that the knuckle will get bigger while the finger itself gets smaller. This may necessitate having a moveable shank installed by GMG Jewellers. Inquire today!
Sizing Up Your Ring
Sizing up can be a bit more difficult. There isn't any way to simply add small elements in the case of making your ring bigger-the actual ring itself has to be physically altered. There are two ways of doing this. The first is to actually stretch the ring. Since metal is ductile, a jeweller can put your ring on a mandrel that slowly stretches it to the proper size. However, this makes the ring thinner (since the metal is being pulled apart) and more fragile. Plus, certain rings can't be stretched without permanently deforming them, including channel-set and invisible-set diamond rings. Alternatively, a jeweller can cut the bottom of your ring and weld a longer piece of metal in. While this method only creates two weak points, it's impossible to do this method with eternity rings, since there are diamonds and other embellishments around the entire length of the piece.Whether you choose the stretching or cutting method, a ring should never be sized up more than once, since the metal would be irreversibly damaged. But do keep in mind that if a ring is too big, it's fairly easy and less damaging to size it down.
