Finding the perfect fit for either an engagement ring or wedding ring is part of the wedding preparation process. After all, you’ll be wearing it every day.
So, how should your wedding ring fit? You need to pick a design you love and the right size. However, this can be challenging if you plan to make a surprise proposal. Even the rings you wear on the same finger may differ in size. Here are some guidelines to help you choose the perfect fit.
How Should My Wedding Ring Fit?
How Should A Ring Fit?
Before we talk specifically about wedding rings, let’s answer the question overall.
Your ring should slide over the knuckle without being too tight. But again, it should be tight such that it won’t fall out of the hand as you move around. A little wiggle room will ensure the ring doesn’t stick to the finger.
Quite honestly, it’s as simple as that. Finding the perfect size for your ring is trial, error and of course, just making sure that it all feels right.
When it comes to wedding and engagement rings, there are additional things to consider however the main principles remain the same.
Factors That Can Affect Ring Fit
Finger size & type
Perhaps knowing your finger size is the most complicated part when choosing a wedding ring. Besides, your finger goes through micro changes throughout the day. The circumference of the finger will also change with the seasons and different times of the year.
Most jewelers will use a specific scale to define their sizes from size 3 to 15. If you have a small hand, chances are that your ring size could be size 4.5 to 5.5. If you have an average hand, your finger ring size could be 5 to 7. Generally speaking, the numerical value focuses on the inner perimeter of the ring.
Some jewelers will add an extra millimeter to ensure the ring allows for everyday swelling. If you wear size 4 or 5, you can buy size 4.5 or 5.75. You may not notice the variance, but the small changes can make a difference. You should also consider the size if you’re wondering how to make your wedding band fit against your engagement ring.
Other physical differences can of course make a difference. Most noticably, if the base of the finger is smaller than the knuckle, the ring can often be sized incorrectly in order breach the knuckle. Of course, the last thing you want is to force a ring over the finger. Focus on getting the perfect fit.
Time of day
Believe it or not, your ring will fit differently at specific times of the day. The best time to get sized is between lunch and dinner. If possible, try to getting fit a fitting at mid or late afternoon. You’re probably asking, why? This is the time when the fingers are at the largest size. Besides, cold early morning and late night temperatures can actually make your fingers shrink.
Material
You’re probably wondering which material is the best for a wedding ring? Professional jewelers prefer metal over plastic; for good reason. Apart from durability, metal wedding rings fit true to size and can be easily embolished with different materials. From tungsten to sterling silver, platinum to titanium, gold to palladium, there’s something for everyone. Although the material you choose should align with your budget, you may want to think about the lifespan of the ring.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy brings a lot of changes to a woman’s body. As the pregnancy goes on, most women may have to resize their rings. While some will return to their original size after giving birth, others may have permanent changes.
Instead of resizing your ring during pregnancy, you may want to wait until a few months after birth.
Men Vs Women
On average, a man’s ring tends to be larger than that of a woman. The major difference is always the length of the ring. On average, women’s ring size is between 6 and 10, while men’s size is 8 to 14. Since everyone’s finger is different – there’s no definite size for either gender.
Generally speaking, men prefer rings that are 6mm in width. On the other hand (exuse the pun), women tend to prefer 44mm.
As you can imagine, women tend to have slender fingers. In contrast, men have wider fingers, especially around the knuckles.
How To Measure Your Ring Size at Home?
When you think about your marriage and what your wedding ring symbolizes, you automatically jump to love, commitment and everything in-between. Therefore, if you are skipping a professional jeweller you need to ensure you find the perfect fit yourself.
Below we have put together a range of ways to help you measure your ring size at home.
Measuring with a ruler
This is one of the most common methods used to measure ring size at home. All you need is a ruler and a piece of string or a narrowly sized paper strip.
To measure using this method, wrap the string or paper around the base of your finger. Use the ruler to measure the length of the string or paper. This will give you the circumference of your finger. Once you have the circumference, you can use a ring size chart to determine your ring size.
Measuring with a tape measure
This is another popular method for measuring the ring size at home. All you need is a tape measure and a piece of string or a narrow paper strip.
To measure using this method, wrap the string or paper around the base of your finger. Use the tape measure to measure the distance between the two points on the string or paper. This will give you your finger circumference. Once you have the circumference, you can use a ring size chart to determine your ring size.
Measuring with a piece of jewelry
This is a great method to use if you already have a piece of jewelry that fits well on your finger. All you need is the jewelry piece and a ruler.
To measure using this method, place the jewelry piece on your finger and mark where it overlaps. Use the ruler to measure the distance between the two points marked. This will give you the circumference of your finger. Once you have the circumference, you can use a ring size chart to determine your ring size.
Comparing to a ring size chart
This is probably the easiest method to use when measuring the ring size at home. Simple purchase a ring size measurer from your local jewelers or print off a ring size chart at home.
To measure using this method, find a ring that fits well on your finger and compare it to the chart. The ring size chart will list the circumference of your finger in millimeters. Once you have the circumference, you can use the chart to determine your ring size.
Help, Guidance, And Commonly Asked Questions
Is it better to size up or down?
Sometimes, we may go up or down between two sizes. On hot days, your hands may swell, making you go for a slightly larger ring. As you try to settle for one, you may wonder whether to size up or down. The last thing you want is a ring that is too big.
If you’re stuck choosing between two sizes, it’s better that you go for the larger size. Keep in mind that it’s much easier to adjust a smaller ring than expand it. Most jewelers offer resizing services, so you can make adjustments if you buy a ring that is too large.
How to know if the ring is too tight
Once your fingers change in size, you may see some noticeable differences. Here are some telltale signs that your ring is too tight.
You can’t remove the ring
If you can’t move it around, you should resize it. Try using a lotion or icing your finger to remove the ring as soon as possible.
The ring doesn’t turn
When the ring is too small, you may not be able to move it at all. Some argue that doesn’t matter, but it does. Your ring should rotate in a clockwise and anticlockwise direction.
Your finger tingles
Can you tell which finger the ring is on? Most people complain that they experience tingling sensations. A blush-white skin tone also shows that the ring is too tight.
The muffin top
A muffin top is that skin that bulges when you wear something tight. If there’s a balloon below or above the ring, then it’s too tight.
The finger hurts
Maybe you don’t have a problem removing the ring or the finger has no indentation, but it hurts. That’s a sign of a poor fit.
How to know if the ring is too big
If the ring slips off, it’s probably too big. Even if someone else tries to remove the ring, there should be some little resistance. A big ring should be resized down.
Should a ring spin on your finger?
No, at least not of it’s own accord. If your ring naturally spins on the finger, then it’s too big. You may want to take your ring to a professional jeweler for assessment.
What to do if the ring doesn’t fit?
If your ring won’t fit, your jeweler will provide a solution. If you want the ring to remain firm on your finger, he may recommend a sizing assistant.
Are there any special considerations for wedding or engagement rings?
There are a few special considerations that you need to consider. First, you need to decide what type of metal you want the ring to be made from. The most popular wedding and engagement ring metals are platinum, gold and silver. Each metal has its own benefits and drawbacks.
Gold is a very popular choice for wedding rings because it is soft and malleable. This makes it easy to work with when creating intricate designs. Gold is also very affordable. However, gold can scratch and dent easily.
Silver is another popular choice for wedding rings. Silver is more durable than gold, so it will not scratch or dent as easily. Silver is also very affordable. However, silver can tarnish over time.
While prices can often fluctuate, generally speaking, platinum is seen as the most expensive choice for marriage rings. Platinum is very strong and durable, so it will not scratch or dent easily. Platinum is also known to be hypoallergenic. It is a good choice for people with allergies. However, platinum can be difficult to work with when creating intricate designs.
When choosing the perfect wedding ring, you also need to take into consideration the style of the ring. There are a wide variety of styles to choose from, so you should be able to find a style that suits your taste.
Finally, you need to take into consideration the budget you have for the ring. Wedding and engagement rings can be very expensive, so you need to make sure that you are not spending more than you can afford.
Conclusion
In summary, your wedding ring should slide over the knuckle without being too tight. If you feel some resistance or you need to apply little effort to remove it, you should take it to a professional jeweler for resizing. Again, if the ring is too big, a jeweler can recommend the right size and fit.
Most importantly, it’s important that you are comfortable with the way your ring fits. Let’s be honest, you will probably be wearing it quite a bit…
