The ultimate guide for measuring ring sizes at home
I love online shopping. I mean, I am a millennial, born in that sweet spot that took me from a mundane no-Internet life, to one of instant gratification, where you can now shop for everything — from jeera powder, to jewels on the Interweb, without stepping out of your bedroom (armed with tips to make online shopping for jewellery even safer, and more fun). My biggest pet peeve however has been my abject inability to buy rings online. Sometimes they’re too loose, sometimes so tight that they don’t go down my knuckle, and sometimes they’re just built for the giant Khal rather than a petite Khaleesi. So why is it so hard to measure ring sizes at home? Is there a right way to do it? What mistakes are we making?
We at Everbrite Jewellery present, ring sizing 101: the all you need to know guide for measuring ring sizes at home for lab-grown diamond rings (and any other rings you may yearn to circle back to).
The importance of a ring size
When experts refer to ‘ring size’, they’re talking about the number you land on when measuring the inner circumference of the ring in millimetres. Just like with pesky clothing sizes (ladies, you know what I’m talking about), ring sizes can differ from region to region. A few standard Indian sizes are: 11-14, though ladies may wear sizes below 11 or above 14, while men tend to go between the larger sizes of 20-22.
Naturally, knowing your correct ring size is key to buying rings both online, and offline. While an offline store can do the measuring for you, our guide on how to measure ring sizes at home will help you make your online jewellery shopping experience that much more fun.
FAQs and mistakes to avoid when it comes to measuring your ring size at home for lab-grown diamonds
AKA, your cheat sheet to never picking the wrong ring size again.
*Everbrite Jewellery, the epitome of affordable luxury and the brand behind stunning lab-grown diamond jewellery answers all those niggling questions you may have and offers tips for avoiding ring size mistakes
1. While this may seem obvious, ensure to measure the finger you want to wear the ring on. Even the same finger on different hands may have different measurements.
2. Refer to the correct size chart (as per country). Here’s an easy ring conversion chart that you can use:
3. Temperature affects ring size, so measure your finger multiple times in different temperatures, as it can be smaller the colder you are.
4. Keeping up with your knuckle: We bet you hadn’t thought of this. While a certain ring may fit decently on your finger, if it struggles while going down your knuckle, go half a size up.
5. Size always matters. Whoever says size doesn’t matter is lying. A thin band goes down a finger far more easily than a thick one. So consider the width of the band as thicker rings require a slightly larger size. When picking a thicker band, like this one, ensure you measure the exact centre of the ring’s inner circumference to get the most accurate size.
6. Verify your size using a country-specific metal ring sizer. While paper and strings are the go-to for measuring ring sizes at home, one of the best tips for avoiding ring size mistakes is to use more stable tools.
7. Can ring sizes change? Well, the answer is yes. Pregnancy, swelling issues, weight gain/loss, age and illness are often the causes of temporary or permanent ring size changes. If over time, you feel your ring is ill-fitting, have your ring size adjusted accordingly with Everbrite Jewellery or at a reputed jeweller.
8. If in doubt, should you pick a larger or smaller size? Experts say that fixing a ring by sizing down is far easier than sizing up (as this involves adding more precious metal), so always opt for the slightly larger size when doubtful. With most rings that have sizing possibilities, it’s easy to go one-two sizes up or down.
9. Adjusting and readjusting sizes. Is it possible? Can all metals be resized? When it comes to adjusting sizes, fear not, you’re not doomed to wear a too-loose, or breath-constricting ring. If your ring is too big, you can opt for spiral silicone ring adjusters as a temporary fix. If it’s too tight, the metal determines how much it can be adjusted professionally. While gold and silver can withstand some change, harder metals like platinum, tungsten, titanium and steel don’t have the same flexibility. Fully studded eternity bands cannot be resized as they don’t have a plain metal area. When opting for rings with enamel or ceramic, be careful to place the order in the exact size as these rings cannot be resized.
10. Does the design of the ring matter when it comes to size? Yes, yes, yes! Eternity bands have gemstones all over, meaning there’s no metal to resize. A solitaire ring on a plain band is easier to resize than that with an intricate design on the band.
11. How can you tell if a ring is too tight or loose? If a ring doesn’t twirl around easily on your finger, is tough to get on, leaves pesky indents, or basically makes your finger raw, swollen and sore, it’s not the right size. On the flip side, if the ring spins like a fidget spinner and you’re constantly afraid it’s going to fall off — it likely is. That’s your cue to size down.
Measuring ring size at home
1. Measuring your ring size with a string or paper: Just wrap a paper around your finger, mark where it overlaps, measure the length of the paper in millimetres and use a ring size chart to find your size. Follow Everbrite’s step-by-step video to find your exact size.
2. Use a ring sizer app (Ring Sizer pro, Ringer Sizer by Jason Withers), but do ensure that the ring you’re measuring is perfectly round from the inside otherwise you will end up with the wrong size.
3. Buy a ring sizer: Let’s be real, if you’re a shopaholic, and going to be buying rings regularly, bite the bullet and buy a ring sizer like the kind actual jewellers own. It’s the best way to measure ring sizes at home for fine jewellery purchases!
Lastly, if you’re still unsure, visit an off-line, in-person store: All reputable jewellers have ring sizers and corresponding size chart, and will be most adept at giving you your perfect ring size. When in doubt, visit us at our studio in Mumbai’s iconic Opera House district.
PS: You may be tempted to look at more than just rings, because of Everbrite Jewellery’s collection of affordable, yet luxe lab-diamond designs.