When and How to Make a Ring Smaller Without Resizing

Sometimes, even when you find the perfect ring, it can turn out to be a wrong fit. It may be that the ring is too big, too small, or you just feel you may lose it at the first accidental flick of a wrist.

Resizing may be your first thought, but take this into consideration – sometimes the reason why your ring fits wrong is temporary. It may just be the cold weather that’s making your fingers “shrink,” or hot weather that’s making your fingers “expand.” Pregnancy and weight fluctuations are also some of the reasons why your rings may sit differently on your fingers. These are times when you need a temporary solution and not something as permanent and (almost) irreversible as resizing. 

How to make a ring smaller without resizing, you may ask? It may sound like magic, but we assure you, it’s quite possible.

How should a ring fit 

Before we go on, let’s quickly go over how to size a ring and how a ring should fit you (maybe you’ve been wearing the wrong size for years!).

A well-sized ring should slide over your knuckle with some resistance, and then fit snugly on the base of your finger. It should not feel uncomfortable, not too loose or too tight. When removing it, you should feel the same resistance at the knuckle as when putting it on.

The fit can change depending on the weather or other normal bodily fluctuations. So, a perfect fit is nigh on impossible! If you’re wondering how to get your ring size, just keep the knuckle in mind – you should never feel too afraid to flick your wrist, or too uncomfortable to move your finger. It’s best to try your ring for size in the afternoon when our fingers are naturally at their largest. 

How to make a ring smaller

If you find that your favorite ring is suddenly too loose to wear, there’s no need to fret! There are multiple ways of adjusting your rings, many that have no negative effects on the metal itself.

When it comes to resizing, taking away from the band can weaken the strength of the metal. That’s why you should look into a ring adjuster. These small pieces of metal add to your ring, and in that way lessen the circumference of the band. Since they require delicate work with the ring itself, it’s best you take it to a jeweler you trust – they can make the changes imperceptible! Here are just some of the resizing options:

Add sizing beads to your ring

This kind of ring size adjuster is perhaps the least invasive and the most invisible one. Your jeweler will simply add two infinitesimal metal balls to the inner side of your ring’s band. The solution is all but invisible and it doesn’t take away from the esthetics of your ring, even when you’re not wearing it!

One of the more economical ways to make your ring smaller is sizing the beads. This can reduce the ring by half. Before jumping into it, make sure to ask your jeweler if they have an example ring you can try on – you wouldn’t want to go through all that trouble only to find that wearing the ring brings discomfort!

Add a spring insert

A spring insert is like a band inside your ring’s band. Shaped like a horse-shoe, it’s a strip of metal lining the bottom 3/4 of the inside of your ring’s band. As its name suggests, it slightly springs open when you slide the ring over your knuckle and then springs back in order to keep your ring snug on your finger.

This ring adjuster can make your ring smaller by one full size. It’s a bit more complicated than adding sizing beads for your jeweler, but it’s definitely worth it – wearers report they find spring inserts much more comfortable than sizing beads.

Add a sizing bar

The most versatile of the resizing options is the sizing bar, sometimes also called a fold-over device. This looks like a little U-shaped bar across the bottom side of the ring. You open its hinges to put the ring on, then snap them shut once it’s snug on your finger.

This is a perfect solution if your resizing needs are larger than one size – with a sizing bar, your ring can be several full sizes smaller! It may be more apparent than all the previous options, but what you need to remember is that no one will actually see it since it will sit on the inside of your hand. You and your jeweler will be the only ones who know the secret! Before committing to a sizing bar, ask your jeweler for an example ring, just to be sure.

How to resize a ring at home

If your needs are urgent, or you just don’t want the hassle of going to a jeweler, you can opt for do-it-yourself solutions. Keep in mind that these are more transient and temporary than a resizing by a jeweler, but if you’re in a pinch, they’ll work just as well!

Use a plastic guard

This option is very much like the sizing bar your jeweler can put in, except it’s cheaper and you can do it yourself! Plastic ring adjusters are usually little silicone sleeves or wedges that sit between your finger and your ring.

However, these are not the most elegant of solutions. They can often make your ring sit awkwardly, and they are prone to being unreliable (they can, for example, slip out at the worst moments).

Use a loop of string

If you have some costume jewelry that’s suddenly become too large, you can just use a piece of string! What you need to do is loop the string around the band of your ring as many times as you feel necessary. If this is still not enough, you can take a piece of tape, and wrap that around the band. Just keep in mind the tape may damage your band in some cases. 

This kind of DIY is best suited for rings you don’t mind experimenting with, and when you need a quick solution!

Try hot glue

The riskiest DIY option of them all is hot glue. If you’re a risk-taker, you’ll first need to create a dime size puddle of melted glue on a piece of foil or cardboard. Next, dip a toothpick in the glue, and use it to smear the glue on the inside of the band, right on the place where it meets the underside of your finger. This will create an extra layer on the band and make the ring fit more snugly. The glue shouldn’t damage the ring, but it’s best if you never use this method on antique rings and on those that would cause you heartbreak if you saw them damaged. Whether your ring is gold, platinum, or silver, sometimes all of them need a good resizing. Now that you know all the options you have at your fingertips, it’s time to take your beloved ring out of the box and display it proudly on your finger! Visit one of our stores and we can professionally resize ring and make it sparkle and shine the way it never has before.