Turns out... it IS possible to resize an eternity band! :)

[ice empress]

I flew into Los Angeles yesterday to visit Victor Canera, and bless the man, he had already completed my eternity wedding band and emilya halo!!

(Background insert: though the order for the rings had been placed about 2 months ago, I was only able to ship the center stone to him 2 weeks ago. We weren’t sure he would have the ER ready for our arrival yesterday, but he worked his magic and made it happen, and I am so grateful for that).

I am having him downsize the halo by ¼, given that I overestimated my size out of paranoia... he then offered to resize my eternity too!! In fact, that one needs to be downsized ⅜!

I had always thought that resizing eternity bands was simply not possible, and it turns out, it is!! Perhaps this is a well known fact on PS, but it certainly took me by surprise!

He warned me that the ring may not turn out perfect (certainly not as flawless as the original anyways), and that he might have to leave/insert a small metal gap without stones, but all in all I thought it was a worthwhile compromise, as it is obviously and irritatingly too large right now (my fault).

In doing a little research, I came across this jeweler’s page:

https://www.callagold.com/jewelry-repair/how-much-does-it-cost-to-size-my-eternity-band-ring/

She specializes in resizing and restoring eternity bands! Her prices seem quite reasonable too, considering it might make the difference between an heirloom or treasured piece getting worn again versus going unloved for far too long in a safe or drawer.

 

[missy]

Wonderful @ice empress! Please share some photos with us.

 

[Lykame]

I flew into Los Angeles yesterday to visit Victor Canera, and bless the man, he had already completed my eternity wedding band and emilya halo!!

(Background insert: though the order for the rings had been placed about 2 months ago, I was only able to ship the center stone to him 2 weeks ago. We weren’t sure he would have the ER ready for our arrival yesterday, but he worked his magic and made it happen, and I am so grateful for that).

I am having him downsize the halo by ¼, given that I overestimated my size out of paranoia... he then offered to resize my eternity too!! In fact, that one needs to be downsized ⅜!

I had always thought that resizing eternity bands was simply not possible, and it turns out, it is!! Perhaps this is a well known fact on PS, but it certainly took me by surprise!

He warned me that the ring may not turn out perfect (certainly not as flawless as the original anyways), and that he might have to leave/insert a small metal gap without stones, but all in all I thought it was a worthwhile compromise, as it is obviously and irritatingly too large right now (my fault).

In doing a little research, I came across this jeweler’s page:

https://www.callagold.com/jewelry-repair/how-much-does-it-cost-to-size-my-eternity-band-ring/

She specializes in resizing and restoring eternity bands! Her prices seem quite reasonable too, considering it might make the difference between an heirloom or treasured piece getting worn again versus going unloved for far too long in a safe or drawer.

Hello lovely lady.

Pictures. Pictures. Where the pictures! You tease!

 

[missy]

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I honestly wouldn't resize that small amount. I'd add tiny sizing beads/pads. You may someday wish you had that extra 1/4-3/8ths!

 

[yssie]

I honestly wouldn't resize that small amount. I'd add tiny sizing beads/pads. You may someday wish you had that extra 1/4-3/8ths!

Definitely this - a downsize that small is not worth compromising either structural integrity or aesthetic of “brand new” over. I don’t know where you live, but it’s colder in North America than it will be in a few months, and that extra bit of size leeway could be helpful come finger-swelling summer weather.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I'd personally contact Victor immediately and ask him to add the beads rather than resize.

 

[Bonfire]

Can’t wait to see pictures!

 

[Karl_K]

anything is possible, if its a good idea is another thing.
He just made the ring so if he says he can do it, that's kewl.
But take a random eternity ring and the random bench person and the odds of it going well are close to 0.

 

[ice empress]

Thanks everyone for the insight and suggestions.

We've decided to simply commission a brand new ring. The sizing has caused me quite some anxiety, as I’m trying to do what’s best for both now AND the future (understanding of course that it’s impossible to entirely predict the future).

The current eternity is 5-7/8 and it really is quite large. Certainly it is too large to wear comfortably without being annoyed or risk it falling off.

So I’ll have VC make a new 5.5 eternity to wear for the next 20 years. I’ll keep the 5-7/8 in a drawer for when I’m swollen/pregnant and/or when my joints become arthritic.

Problems solved

 

[ice empress]

@missy @Lykame @Bonfire regarding the photos... I completely forgot to take even a single photo!!! It is so unlike me!

We were at his office for almost an hour yesterday, and I was so focused on the sizing that it completely slipped my mind!

We are returning to visit him again in a week (before our departure from California) so I had to make sure i settled on the size before leaving his office yesterday. Hence the forgetfulness. I wish I had photos to share... but it’ll have to wait until next week.

Suffice to say... The emilya is TDF!!! Simply stunning!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Making another band is a good way to solve the problem. Are you going to add the little sizing beads in your Emilya?

 

[ice empress]

Making another band is a good way to solve the problem. Are you going to add the little sizing beads in your Emilya?

I’ll downsize the emilya from the current 5.75 to a 5.5. I suspect sizing beads would be irritating to me, and the 5.5 is a nice fit (especially when I stack it with the eternity band and spacer, which make it a touch snugger).

I’m less worried for the emilya, as it has a sizing band and can be resized up in the future if need be.

 

[pearaffair]

Thanks everyone for the insight and suggestions.

We've decided to simply commission a brand new ring. The sizing has caused me quite some anxiety, as I’m trying to do what’s best for both now AND the future (understanding of course that it’s impossible to entirely predict the future).

The current eternity is 5-7/8 and it really is quite large. Certainly it is too large to wear comfortably without being annoyed or risk it falling off.

So I’ll have VC make a new 5.5 eternity to wear for the next 20 years. I’ll keep the 5-7/8 in a drawer for when I’m swollen/pregnant and/or when my joints become arthritic.

Problems solved

Great solution!! Also I totally get it. I’ve thrown away so much money getting my rings resized because I NEED them to fit how I would like them to fit!!

 

[Wewechew]

I can’t believe you didn’t take photos

Glad you decided on a sizing plan!

 

[motownmama]

Sounds like a smart plan. FWIW I had my mom’s plat eternity sized from a 6 to a 4.5 and it came out seamlessly. Also - FWIW! - I’ve been married 24 years and still wear same size, although I admit there’s some wiggling to get over the knuckle.

 

[ice empress]

Sounds like a smart plan. FWIW I had my mom’s plat eternity sized from a 6 to a 4.5 and it came out seamlessly. Also - FWIW! - I’ve been married 24 years and still wear same size, although I admit there’s some wiggling to get over the knuckle.

I’m so glad your resizing worked out so beautifully. Did you have to find a specialized jeweler to do that for you? Did they have to leave an additional metal gap between the melee?

The sizing really has caused me quite a lot of anxiety. Like @pearaffair alluded to, getting the exact right fit is so challenging. It needs to be tight enough not to fall off (especially in colder weather) but not so tight that it is a struggle to take on and off over the knuckle or in the summer. It needs to be tight enough to avoid too much spinning, but not so tight that it squishes the finger or won’t fit in future years. Sigh.

I settled on size 5.5, as it goes on and off easily, but isn’t so big that it will fall off. My true size (without summer or beginning of day swelling) is probably 5-⅜. I know we’re speaking ⅛ increments but even that 1/8 difference is so perceptible and obvious to me.

 

[yssie]

It needs to be tight enough not to fall off (especially in colder weather) but not so tight that it is a struggle to take on and off over the knuckle or in the summer. It needs to be tight enough to avoid too much spinning, but not so tight that it squishes the finger or won’t fit in future years.

@ice empress
If you size for comfortable summers (strong recommendation)... An extra stacking band can help hugely in winter - a band with slightly more depth (height off the finger) than the rest of your rings, in a slightly smaller size (maybe 5-1/4 or your true 5-3/8 fit) than the rest of your rings - makes for a visually well-integrated stack.

 

[ice empress]

@ice empress
If you size for comfortable summers (strong recommendation)... An extra stacking band can help hugely in winter - a band with slightly more depth (height off the finger) than the rest of your rings, in a slightly smaller size (maybe 5-1/4 or your true 5-3/8 fit) than the rest of your rings - makes for a visually well-integrated stack.

Excellent suggestion!

I may end up doing that, though I’m not sure I would like the stacked look, as it might look bulky as well as detract from the center stone. I have long slender fingers and like a more delicate look.

I already had VC make a slightly thicker band than he might normally choose (2.0-2.1mm rather than 1.8-1.9mm) given that I value longevity and durability more than daintiness.

I’m also considering reversing the traditional order of the rings, meaning I might put the eternity band on the outside (away from the heart) rather than on the inside (closest to the heart) for extra assurance. Though the ER and eternity band will be the same size, it might bring more peace of mind, knowing that the eternity band is splinting the ER tighter and closer.

 

[ice empress]

@yssie how much do you estimate your finger size changes between the warmer summer months and the colder winter months? What temperature extremes do you see during those seasons where you live?

 

[SimoneDi]

@ice empress we have very similar ring sizes although mine are not the longest ones. I would personally advice you that you do not resize the rings at least until the summer.

A while back, I first got sized in the winter and my size was 5.25. By the summer, I was no longer able to put my ring comfortably and some days - not able to put it on at all.

When I changed my ring, I got it sized to a 5.75 and I was very happy with the size. I live in MA, so during the cold months my rings are always very loose. I use a ring adjuster similar to this one:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0OX3EW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_qSH6Bb6BPTXV4 or I stack a few rings.

So that would be my suggestion for you, unless your rings were loose in July/August.

 

[yssie]

@yssie how much do you estimate your finger size changes between the warmer summer months and the colder winter months? What temperature extremes do you see during those seasons where you live?

My fingers don't fluctuate too much - I'm between ~3.75 and ~4.25. I like my rings loose, though, so I size at 4.5-4.75 and I have a handful of smaller stackers for winter.