| Different issues concerning size and comfortable | | | | off or fly away with sudden move of the hand. I |
| wear of rings | | | | will recommend lighter designs or use of full or |
| Take your time to get the size right. Keep in mind | | | | half spring. (see below) |
| that your finger size changes depending on | | | | The big knuckles require fairly large size ring to |
| whether your hands are cold or hot. Different | | | | pass trough and end up on the following thinner |
| fingers change differently but it is an average of | | | | part of the finger where it is hopelessly loose. The |
| half size (UK standard). There is little difference | | | | full spring is the best solution of this problem. The |
| between two neighboring sizes, so when your | | | | full spring is a strip of special gold alloy fitted inside |
| jeweler gives you the size set make sure you try | | | | the shank of the ring which is expanding while |
| few sizes up and down from the first one that | | | | passing the knuckle an then contracts back," |
| fits. Do this until you are really sure which one | | | | hugging" the thinner part of the finger and keeping |
| feels best. Don't ask the jeweler to take your | | | | the ring in place. While full spring takes about |
| finger size - do it yourself. No one else can feel | | | | ¾ of the inner circumference of the shank, |
| the ring on your finger for you. If you are in | | | | half spring goes halfway. Full springs are |
| doubt, consider the weather. In hot weather your | | | | surprisingly comfortable and effective and yet |
| finger swells, so choose the tighter fit and vice | | | | seldom used. Unfortunately they can't be |
| versa. | | | | implemented on any design especially the very |
| Bear in mind that it is easier and safer to most | | | | delicate ones. Another draw back is that fitting a |
| designs to be resized up rather than down. | | | | spring requires some time and skill and the |
| Resized piece however, is never the same, | | | | jeweler will be happy if he can skip it. |
| especially when it contents pave or channel set | | | | A Large number of inexperienced goldsmiths and |
| small stones. Reducing such a ring even one size is | | | | designers do not even know about it. In my |
| likely to loosen the setting and cause problems. | | | | opinion full spring is a must for heavy rings with |
| Delicate rings, wedding bands and bangles are | | | | high standing large stones. If fitting full or half |
| usually work hardened after the last hot | | | | spring is not a viable option, soldering two small |
| operation, especially items in palladium white | | | | (about 1.5 mm gold beads inside the ring at 4 and |
| gold.This very important for the strength of the | | | | 8 o'clock position will significantly reduce the swivel |
| piece procedure is annulled, if the piece is heated | | | | and self position the ring. The initial discomfort one |
| again in the process of resizing. If the piece | | | | might feel because of the two little beads inside |
| contents an important, expensive stone then the | | | | the ring usually disappears after 2-3 days of |
| resizing becomes really problematic. | | | | wearing. |
| There are number of designs (Niessing's tension | | | | One common problem is the right positioning of |
| set solitaire comes first in mind) which are | | | | half or ¾ studded diamond wedding rings. |
| impossible to resize. In short: avoid resizing your | | | | They tend to always turn and expose the |
| jewelry, unnecessary. Take your time and choose | | | | unstudded side up. If the wedding ring is worn |
| the right size first time. Another issue concerning | | | | next to a engagement ring it is a simple and |
| the right fit is the finger shape. There are two | | | | reversible procedure to tack solder them together |
| types that require special attention. The conical | | | | at the back. That will perfectly position the |
| finger and the one with excessively big knuckles. | | | | diamond band and it will make it more difficult to |
| The conical finger is very much one size fits all | | | | loose. In fact I will recommend this procedure for |
| scenario. Because of almost non pronounced | | | | any wedding-engagement ring set. If the two |
| knuckle up to 4 consecutive ring sizes feel | | | | rings are needed apart for some ceremony the |
| comfortable. The problem is: this type of finger is | | | | joining can be done later and as I mentioned is |
| not safe for heavy designs, which can easy slip | | | | completely reversible if properly done. |