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Measuring finger size (several drinks = girlfriend fast asleep)

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tabulem

Rough_Rock
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Jul 3, 2009
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Last night my girlfriend and I went out for a few drinks, as we do most Friday nights, and as I had hoped, when she went to sleep, she was completely out like a light! I took the opportunity to measure her ring finger size with the paper finger-measurer from the whiteflash.com page that I printed and cut out.

Here''s my problem... when I pulled the paper thing tight, it came to 6.5. When I loosened it just a fraction, it was 7.0. Which measurement to go with for the ring? Does anyone have any experience of measuring your finger with one of those templates, and then what size ring actually works for you?

By the way, my girlfriend owns no rings, so I can''t borrow one to size. I''ll be buying the ring online, so I''d really like to avoid having to get it resized.

Thanks so much for any advice.
 
Hard to say. Finger size fluctuates on women. Was she in a cool area, or hot? Does drinking make her fingers swell?
 
Take her to any jewelry store and they will measure here for free.
 
Yes but that would spoil the surprise. Or should I just forget about the surprise and make sure I get something she likes that fits?
 
No, don''t ruin the surprise! Drinking makes mine swell so I think you should go with the 6.5. Congrats on starting the process!
 
Date: 7/18/2009 12:14:50 PM
Author: tabulem
Yes but that would spoil the surprise. Or should I just forget about the surprise and make sure I get something she likes that fits?
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Do you have any idea what she likes? And does she have any inkling a proposal is coming?
 
It''s pretty important to get an accurate measurement for the final ring if you don''t want it resized. If I were you I''d look into possibly getting a temporary setting that''s around her size. Maybe go with a 6 3/4. Then when she says yes, you can size her ring properly and have the it sent and return the temporary setting. Goodluck!
 
Those paper things aren''t very accurate. I would go buy some cheap bands in several sizes and try the test again while she''s asleep. Then send the one that fits to your jeweler who is making the ring and they can make it the same size. Make sure the sample rings are the same width as the ring that''s being made, as wider bands will fit more snug. Then at least you should be close to her correct size. Just using the paper gauge doesn''t take into account her knuckles, just the base of her finger. Something to consider.... Hope that helps. Good luck!
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Sure, she has some inkling that it will be happening sometime this year, more or less. But she doesn''t know how soon.

So with a temporary setting, could I use silver? How much would it cost to get it set, and unset later? Is there any risk to damaging the stone (sapphire) by putting it in and out of the temporary setting?
 
I would say go with 6.75, a nice in between
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Date: 7/18/2009 12:49:48 PM
Author: tabulem
Sure, she has some inkling that it will be happening sometime this year, more or less. But she doesn''t know how soon.

So with a temporary setting, could I use silver? How much would it cost to get it set, and unset later? Is there any risk to damaging the stone (sapphire) by putting it in and out of the temporary setting?
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Ok, well what I had in mind was, could you get one of her friends to take her shopping, just a girls day out, and then slip in a jewelers just to "play" (trying on rings)? Maybe you could find out that way.

Not sure what to tell you since this is a gemstone, hopefully someone more in the know will chime in.
 
You can order sizing rings for less than $10... apparently there are no "industry standards" for ring sizing, however, so you''d have to figure out which ring fits best and then send it in to whoever you''ve selected to make the ring.

Check e-bay or jewelry supply houses for the sizing rings.
 
This topic made me laugh... I think in pictures and just imagining a guy measuring his passed out girlfriend''s finger... Ah what a cute but hilarious picture!
 
Yeah it was pretty awkward! I have no idea what I would have said if she''d woken up... it definitely would be a silly way for her to find out that I''m planning this.

Anyway, I found this silver setting that is "pre-notched" and is the right size for the sapphire:

5.5mm Round Solitaire Solid Sterling Silver Ring Sz 6.5

Do you think a jeweler could really easily get my stone into and out of this? How much would that cost, any idea?

Thanks!
 
I think it would be hard to get an accurate measurement with sizing rings without waking her up. It''s easier to get a ring on your own finger than someone else''s, so you might overestimate the size if you''re just going by what goes on her finger easily, not what feels right to her.

I think you should discuss the issue with your jeweler or whoever''s selling you the sapphire.
 
Another idea is to propose to her and present the stone only. Then the two of you can pick the setting together. Do you have any idea where you will be buying the sapphire? Talk to the vendor and see if they will put it in a temporary setting for free or a low cost.
 
Also consider that the knuckle is often bigger than the part of the finger where the ring sits, so you may want to measure her at the knuckle too. Good luck!
 
I would go for the smaller size (of the two you measured.) If it''s a quality ring, they can easily size up simply by stretching it. Sizing down is a little more complicated as the ring has to be cut and rejoined, for symbolic reasons some people like to avoid cutting the ring if they can.
 
I say just go with 6.5 Those paper sizers should fit snug when measuring. Particularly if she had been drinking, she was likely slightly swollen.
 
I was in a similar situation, and my local jeweler suggested I take her out to dinner at the VERY nice restaurant next door, and "happen" to wander in out of curiosity while we waited for our reservation. He pretended not to know me and handled it from there. He also mentioned (like has been said here) there is no standard, and a lot of the low grade sizers at mall jewelry stores get worn out on the popular sized to boot so your best bet is do the sizing where your getting the ring so they know the exact measurments, or to simply send the sizer you used in. He also suggested the tightest one she was able to get on and off on a hot day, since fingers shrink when it''s cold out. Hope that helps!
 
My husband and I used the plastic sizer Blue Nile will send you for free. It was definitely better than the paper ones. My engagement and wedding ring and my husband''s wedding ring all fit perfectly.
 
I''m on board with getting a girlfriend of hers to have a "day out" and "playing" in a jewelry store. Just one caution. Make sure it is a girlfriend of hers that can be trusted to keep a secret and is also pretty sly in how she brings the whole topic up.

I was lucky in that my gf leaves her rings lying around. I''m not even going to pretend it was on accident, because in all likelihood she did it with intent. Whatever gets the job done though.
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Do you have a sister who is friends with your girlfriend - or do you know one of her friends who can keep a secret?

My brother employed my sister (great friends with his GF) to go "shopping" with her...and during the trip they popped into a jewelry store and tried a bunch of rings, necklaces, etc. on. At the end of the trip our sister knew the GF's ring size. Mission accomplished.

The trick here is to have an accomplice who can totally keep a secret.
 
I love imagining this scenario, too cute!

I second whom ever asked the temp. of the room - it makes such a huge difference! When I am warm, my rings feel tight that it takes a bit of tug to get them off, whereas when I am cold - my rings are loose enough to just fall off! and my knuckles are larger than the rest of my fingers. So I also second the person that mentioned that knuckles may play a factor - when you measure with that paper sizer, you are only measuring at the base of her finger, if too small, she will have a hard time putting her ring on and taking it off.

You mentioned she doesn''t own any rings which makes me wonder if she is one that is not that into jewelry, in which going to a jewelry store just to try things on would seem suspicious even with firiends? How about buying a cheap silver ring for one of her friends to pretend to give to her:

Friend: "oh, I don''t want this ring anymore, would you like it? What size do you wear? it''s (the ring) a 6.5 (or whatever the friend wears, doesn''t matter if it will fit your GF)

GF: "oh, I wear a 7, so it may not fit"

OR

GF: "oh, I wear a 6.5 too, thank you!"

If your GF comes back with "That''s ok, you should keep it because I don''t really like or wear rings", the friend should insist "no, please take it otherwise I am going to throw it out, I am trying to declutter"

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If it''s a cold environment, the right size shd be ''snug around the knuckle''. If it''s warm, it shd fit ''tight around the knuckle''.

I received this advice rather late. I trusted my gf when she said she''s a 6. Turns out she''s a 5.5 and I ended up surprising her with a ring that is too large for her ring finger. So hats off to you for attempting this tricky act. :)
 
As a lightweight myself, I chuckle everytime I see this thread...

Good for you for being so creative!
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All right, so I decided based on all your comments that the paper thingy couldn''t really be trusted. And so I just took her into a few jewelry stores to try on rings. It was probably a good thing, because I misjudged her taste a little on the settings anyway.

The bottom line is, the lady behind the counter thinks she''s a 7, whereas she thought it was too tight and thought she should be a 7.25. I don''t know whether that''s just because she''s not used to wearing rings, but I''ll probably get her a 7.25. Will have to wait a few months though... so that it will be a surprise again.
 
If she felt it was too tight, I''d go with the 7.25. Then let her wear it several months and she can decide if it''s right or too big. Our fingers fluctuate from a wide variety of situations/seasons. Good move, you actually learned two important things!
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Good luck. :)
 
Now that you''ve gotten her hopes up, you''d better not make her wait tooooo long...
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