Ring Size - Bigger or Smaller Better?

[melvin]

Hi everyone,

Sorry 2 separate questions here.

1) Is it better to get a bigger size and have them cut it? Or get a smaller size and have them tap it down to the next size? Or it doesn''t matter?

2) Some settings are very thick. I''m not talking about the top down view ring thickness/width but the side view. My girlfriend has small hands/fingers and I''m worried thick rings will make it uncomfortable jamming against the pinkie and middle fingers.

Is there any way to find out the "side thickness" of ring settings? Is that information listed?

Thanks,

M

 

[kcoursolle]

It''s best to get a close estimate of her size if possible. Can you take one of the other rings out of her jewelry box to bring to the jewelers? Also, some rings aren''t sizeable. Eternity bands and bands with a lot of pave can''t be re-sized and even the ones that are sizeable sometimes sizing them makes the other stones loose. Keep this in mind while shopping.

I''m not really sure whether it''s better to size down or up, but I would suspect down...but just a guess. Best to wait for other responses.

As far as thickness goes, yes thick rings can get annoying but most people usually get used to it. An average ring shouldn''t be a problem, so I wouldn''t worry about this too much. Do you have a picture of settings you are considering?

 

[melvin]

Thanks kcoursolle!

Actually, she loves this design we saw in Japan.

http://thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp/@0_mall/jwell/cabinet/a03-a09/a03-edpx-0109-y25.jpg

Where the ring splits and rather than hold the diamond on the two sides, hides underneath and holds the stone with 4 prongs. (2 prongs are in the sample pic, but 4 prongs look nicer.. makes a round look a bit like a princess cut.)

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 12/21/2008 12:27:46 PM
Author: melvin
Thanks kcoursolle!

Actually, she loves this design we saw in Japan.

http://thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp/@0_mall/jwell/cabinet/a03-a09/a03-edpx-0109-y25.jpg

Where the ring splits and rather than hold the diamond on the two sides, hides underneath and holds the stone with 4 prongs. (2 prongs are in the sample pic, but 4 prongs look nicer.. makes a round look a bit like a princess cut.)

Wow, what a beautiful and modern setting! I''m not sure I''ve ever seen anything quite like it actually. I don''t think that this is going to feel too thick on her hand. Unless she''s never worn rings before, she''ll get used to it in no time. It''s hard to tell exactly how it''s set, so I''m not sure if this would be easily sizeable or difficult. The band part looks simple, but if the stone is set in some special way sizing it may affect the crown, best to ask the jeweler who makes it.

 

[ceaphron]

Date: 12/21/2008 12:19:10 PM
Author:melvin

2) Some settings are very thick. I''m not talking about the top down view ring thickness/width but the side view. My girlfriend has small hands/fingers and I''m worried thick rings will make it uncomfortable jamming against the pinkie and middle fingers.


Is there any way to find out the ''side thickness'' of ring settings? Is that information listed?

M

Most good websites will show the setting from several angles, including the side view so you can see how "thick" the ring is. That was a big concern to me when I picked out my setting but I was more concerned about how high the diamond sat than how thick the band was. It''s too bad that not ALL vendors have a side view. I ruled out a bunch of lovely rings because there was no side shot.

The setting you posted looks like a Mikimoto. I had no luck finding that setting anywhere on the Mikimoto US website. Perhaps it is a Japan exclusive?

 

[marcy]

I''ve been told it''s better to size down and they usually don''t charge as much (a few $$ difference).

 

[oldminer]

SIzing down removes less thickness at the narrowest point of the ring, the base of the shank. Adding in a piece at the base of the shank to make the ring larger, leaves a wider area of slioghtly thinner metal at the base of the shank. One new, full weight rings, it does not matter a lot, but on a well worn ring, the thinner it becomes fewer years of use and good durability remain. One that fits correctly, is the right way to try to go.