More than any other piece of jewellery, buying a ring online can seem like a daunting prospect. Unlike a necklace or pair of earrings, the fit of a ring is everything….too tight and you can’t get it on your finger, too loose and you run the risk of it falling off.
So, how can you make sure that you choose the correct size if you can’t try it on in person? Read on for five handy tips to ensure that you get it right every time…
1) Finger size changes. Say what?! That might sound a little crazy, but actually a perfect fit is almost impossible to achieve because your fingers can swell due to a number of factors including humidity, eating salty foods and pregnancy, which brings me to my next point….
If you’re measuring your finger using a ring sizer then it’s best to do it two or three times over several days to make sure you get it spot on. Bear in mind that some people also find that their ring size can be half to one size larger in the evenings than at the start of the day so try to measure at different times to allow for this if you can.
2) Finger shape also differs between people too. Some people will have a tapered finger where the base is wider than the knuckle, whereas others will find that the knuckle is the widest part of the finger. It’s all about finding the balance between a ring that fits over the knuckle, but isn’t too loose on the finger. If you’re choosing a very chunky, wide piece and have big knuckles then you might want to go up half a size.
3) For a comfortable fit, you want your ring to fit sungly against the base of your finger. If it leaves a mark on the skin then it’s too small. Ideally you should be able to see a small gap between ring and finger when you pull the ring up and off the skin.
4) If you have an existing ring that fits then you can easily find out your ring size by measuring the inside diameter using a ruler and using a ring size conversion chart like this one from Cooksongold to find the size that most closely corresponds to the measurements.
5) If you don’t have a ring to take your size from then you could get yourself sized at a local jewellery shop using a professional metal ring sizer. However, in the days on buying online (at time of writing we’re entering a second lockdown in England), then ask your jeweller if they can provide a plastic ring sizer (see photo below) that you can use at home.
I offer a free ring sizer for anyone wanting to measure their finger before committing to a purchase and I also like to cross reference the size against my ring mandrel to make doubly sure it’s correct. Many other jewellers will offer a ring sizer either for free or refundable against a purchase, so do check before you order.
Lastly, if you choose a plain metal ring and it doesn’t fit then don’t panic. Most rings can be re-sized fairly easily. If you purchase a design with a complicated setting or a continuous band of gemstones (like in an eternity ring) this is much more difficult so, if in doubt, speak to your jeweller first.
You can check out my new ring collection here and if have any questions about sizing or buying online then please just drop me a line and I’ll do my best to help!
Elin Horgan designs and creates handmade jewellery in her Bristol studio. Elin’s beautifully simple handmade jewellery is carefully crafted and designed to be worn every day. You can read more about Elin’s work and the ethos behind her understated jewellery brand on her About Elin Horgan Jewellery page.
If you’d like to enquire about a specific product or discuss a custom piece of jewellery, please have a look at the Bespoke Handmade Jewellery page or email info@elinhorgan.com