One of the most common questions we get asked by our customers when they’re selecting a ring is: How do I know what size ring I need?
Figuring out what size ring you require, whether it’s for yourself or someone else, can be a daunting prospect. But never fear! Whilst working out a ring size can be a bit of an artform, we have a whole range of tricks and tips that to share with you that will ensure your new Sophie Divett Jewellery ring will fit as well as possible.
Here is the SDJ guide to finding your correct ring size.
VISIT A LOCAL JEWELLER:
By far the best way to find your size is to visit a local jeweller and nicely ask them to measure your finger for you. Most jewellers will offer this as a complimentary courtesy service. They will have sets of steel sizing rings which you can try on and get a feel for how the ring will fit on your finger.
If you are based in Christchurch, call past our store any time (no appointment needed) and a member of our team will get you measured, and write your size down for you, free of charge.
HOW TO MEASURE YOUR RING SIZE AT HOME:
Although it's best to get a jeweller to measure your size, if you can't get to a jeweller for any reason, it is easy to figure it out at home. The most common methods are:
USING A RING YOU ALREADY HAVE:
If you already have a ring that fits you, or your partner, well you can measure across the inside diameter of the ring with a ruler, using millimetres, and compare your measurement to this chart. Make sure you're measuring across the widest point of the ring and try to be as accurate as possible. You can also use this website to measure the size of a ring you already have.
THE PAPER STRIP METHOD:
1) Cut a strip of paper to approximately the same width as the ring.
2) Wrap the strip of paper around your finger. If you have larger knuckles, make sure it's able to get over your knuckle.
3) Mark with a pen where the paper overlaps, to measure the circumference of your finger.
4) Unwrap the strip of paper from your finger and measure the length to the spot you marked.
5) Compare your circumference measurement to this chart.
Click here for more detailed instructions on how to measure your ring size at home.
IF YOUR RING IS A SUPRISE GIFT, OR AN ENAGEMENT RING, FOR SOMEBODY ELSE:
We love surprises and want to help you make making this happen as smooth and stress-free as possible.
COMPLIMENTARY RESIZING ON SDJ RINGS:
We offer a free resize on all readymade rings, at any time before or after, purchase. If you had a ring made-to-order we can still resize at any time, for a small fee.
If you have absolutely no idea what ring size your recipient is then we recommend presenting the ring as is, then having them drop it back to us for a resize afterwards. This way they will be able to get properly measured and we know that the new size will be the perfect fit. The less we work we can do on a ring, the better, so we’d always prefer to resize once and do it properly.
If you are still wanting to find a ballpark ring-size for a surprise, you can try one of the following methods for secretly finding their size:
ASK THEIR FRIENDS AND/OR RELATIVES:
You might be surprised by what they know!
BORROW ONE OF THEIR EXISTING RINGS:
Maybe they have a ring lying round that they wear already? Borrow the ring if possible, and measure the inside diameter, as described above. Or sneak it into us and we can measure it for you.
THE PAPER STRIP METHOD:
Some people have used the paper strip method (as above) while their partners are sleeping to secretly find their ring size. Ninja skills an advantage with this one.
VARIABLE FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN SIZING:
HOW WARM ARE YOUR HANDS?
When your hands are warm (such as during the summer, when you've been exercising, carrying shopping, or just after you wake up in the morning) your fingers swell slightly from extra blood flow, and can be a little bit larger than when they are cold.
Ideally, you want your ring to be tight enough that it won't fall off your finger when you're cold, but not so tight that it cuts off the circulation in your finger when you're warm.
It's usually best to have your fingers sized when they are warm so that you know a little extra wiggle room has been incorporated! If you’re getting measured in the winter or on a very cold day, again, leave a little wiggle room for the warmer months.
HOW WIDE IS THE RING?
Rings can be made in all sorts of different widths and will fit differently depending on the style of the ring.
We handmake all of our ceremonial and wedding rings to order in widths ranging from 2mm through to 10mm – so there is quite a variation to how these widths will affect fit!
A thick band is going to feel much tighter on your finger than a thin one, because there is more surface area compressing around your finger. If you're getting a wide ring, you may want to have it made a size or two larger than you would a narrow ring.
Most jewellers will have sizing rings in different widths, try to use sizing rings that are closest to the width of your ring to give you the best idea of how it's going to fit.
ARE YOU GOING TO BE WEARING MULTIPLE RINGS ON THE SAME FINGER?
Just as with wider rings, if you're stacking more than one ring on a finger, they're going to feel much tighter than when worn alone. Take this into account when measuring your ring size - you might want to bump one of them up a size to make them fit more comfortably together when worn as a set.
NUMBER SIZES OR LETTER SIZES?
At Sophie Divett Jewellery we work in letter (UK) sizes, which are the standard in New Zealand.
Below is a conversion table between the different measurements of ring sizes. You can also use this to compare the measurements of a ring you already have.
Don’t have the letter size? No problem – send us through whatever you have and we’ll be able to convert this for you. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!
NEED HELP? YOU CAN ALWAYS CONTACT US HERE.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!