How to resize (make it smaller) a 2000 years old bronze ring

[Splitlivez]

Is there a way to do it without breaking it?

 

[Ally T]

I think if the ring is 2000 years old, then it's kind of treasure that shouldn't be altered? Perhaps it should be left as it is, but that's just my personal opinion.

 

[purplesilk]

What Ally T said.

 

[VRBeauty]

Yup.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Wear it on a chain around your neck
Or get a replica made in your size

 

[theredspinel]

Omg. How can you post this and not show us what this 2000 year old ring looks like?!! TEASE!

 

[Bron357]

A 2,000 year old artifact shouldn’t be messed with.
You could insert a ring sizer. That is basically a piece of metal “clipped” onto the inside of the ring to make the diameter smaller. It’s workable for modest resizing and removable.
Another alternative is a coil resized. That’s basically a coil of plastic that you wrap around the shank and it makes the inside diameter smaller. Also removable.
Just Google “ring resizer”, eBay, Etsy and Amazon sell them for a few dollars.
A jeweller could do you a nicer “custom” one, same idea, not actually damaging the 2,000 year old ring.

 

[ringo865]

I agree that if this ring is legit 2000 years old, you shouldn’t modify it at all. Bronze or not. Just wear one of those ring noodles (presuming you need it tighter). You probably won’t be wearing it 24/7 and if you are, then you ought to first get it appraised by someone who specializes in antiquities.

 

[Splitlivez]

I know . I just really hoped if there was a way to wear it on my ring finger.

 

[purplesilk]

I see a dove with an olive branch.
Could it be a medieval ring?
Your ring looks like the one on the right bottom

bronze ring dove olive branch - Cerca con Google

bronze ring dove olive branch medievali - Google Search

 

[purplesilk]

The heavy green rust is more compatible with copper than bronze.

 

[Splitlivez]

I see a dove with an olive branch.
Could it be a medieval ring?
Your ring looks like the one on the right bottom

bronze ring dove olive branch - Cerca con Google

bronze ring dove olive branch medievali - Google Search

It most probably is. It's difficult to tell

 

[purplesilk]

My approach would be different according to the real value of the ring:
1) expensive monetary value: leave it as it is;
2) sentimental value (belonged to your family, bought during a special trip, gifted to mark a significant event): leave it as it is;
3) cheap monetary value: ask a skilled jeweller the cost of resizing: if it surpasses the cost of the ring, leave it as it is and buy a similar ring at the right finger size.
I was in your shoes with an antique ring I inhereted: I decided to leave it as it is, not worth both the risk of damaging and the cost of the resizing.

 

[Splitlivez]

My approach would be different according to the real value of the ring:
1) expensive monetary value: leave it as it is;
2) sentimental value (belonged to your family, bought during a special trip, gifted to mark a significant event): leave it as it is;
3) cheap monetary value: ask a skilled jeweller the cost of resizing: if it surpasses the cost of the ring, leave it as it is and buy a similar ring at the right finger size.
I was in your shoes with an antique ring I inhereted: I decided to leave it as it is, not worth both the risk of damaging and the cost of the resizing.

I spoke to a jeweler who worked in a treasure shop. He told he attempted a similarl feat a few decades back, and the ring broke. Because copper crystallizes after these many years, and thus renders it brittle. My local jeweler told me that heating it would ruin the patina. Now I'm thinking of turning it into a necklace.

 

[theredspinel]

I’m fascinated by the fact it’s 2000 years old. Wow. What a treasure!

 

[Cerulean]

this is not your average piece of jewelry. there is no way i'd let a typical jeweler touch this with a 10ft pole

ancient copper in certain regions of the world also commonly contained arsenic which is poisonous

you need to take this to someone who specializes in antique artifacts before modifying it, it may not make sense to wear it, personally i would explore preserving it in a beautiful display box. this is a very special piece that has survived for so long, please consider how important "wearability" for your personal use is, versus preserving it for future generations to come

i understand the desire to wear it, perhaps even on a beautiful gold chain if it is sentimental

 

[LightBright]

this is not your average piece of jewelry. there is no way i'd let a typical jeweler touch this with a 10ft pole

ancient copper in certain regions of the world also commonly contained arsenic which is poisonous

you need to take this to someone who specializes in antique artifacts before modifying it, it may not make sense to wear it, personally i would explore preserving it in a beautiful display box. this is a very special piece that has survived for so long, please consider how important "wearability" for your personal use is, versus preserving it for future generations to come

i understand the desire to wear it, perhaps even on a beautiful gold chain if it is sentimental

I agree with everything here.

 

[blingmeupscotty]

I would let an archeologist touch it, never a jeweler. WHAT an amazing piece. Thank you for sharing.

 

[PreRaphaelite]

How about some video?

 

[stracci2000]

Please don't mess with it.
As @Daisys and Diamonds said, string it on a chain and wear as a necklace.

 

[LilAlex]

I know . I just really hoped if there was a way to wear it on my ring finger.

But not on your fifth finger? That seems like a cheap, low-risk fix.

We tend to wear things on whichever hand and finger they fit.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

But not on your fifth finger? That seems like a cheap, low-risk fix.

We tend to wear things on whichever hand and finger they fit.

Agree most whole heartedly
Surly that's why we have two hands with 5 didgets each to choose from