An engagement ring is usually purchased once and forever. And what a disappointment the girls are when the decoration becomes small. You have to either take it off or wear the wedding ring around your neck on a chain. For some reason, few people turn to master jewelers to change the size of their wedding jewelry. Although this is not only possible, but also necessary if you want to continue wearing your most cherished jewelry, despite the circumstances. The Svadebka.ws portal team will tell you whether it is possible to enlarge a wedding ring, how and why this can be done.
In what cases is a wedding ring enlarged?
Enlargement of a wedding ring from a specialist is most often ordered by people who:
- gained weight - as you gain weight, the size of your fingers increases, so the decoration becomes small;
- fell ill - with diseases such as arthritis or arthrosis, the shape of the fingers changes, the joints enlarge, and the ring becomes impossible to remove or put on; but with these pathologies it is better not to wear any jewelry on your hands at all;
- received a ring by inheritance - your parent or grandparent’s size may be smaller than yours, and so that the ancient jewelry does not disappear, you can increase it.
In such cases, increasing the size of the wedding ring will allow you to continue wearing it in its intended place - the ring finger. After an experienced craftsman has worked on your wedding jewelry, it will fit you perfectly.
Metal inserts
To increase the size of the ring, you can use inserts made of a suitable metal. During the work, the master carefully cuts the shank from below (in the place where it touches the finger). And then he begins to push it apart as much as it will be necessary to increase the size of the decoration. For example, if you need to increase the product by one size, it needs to be expanded by approximately 3.14 mm.
The resulting space is covered with a small piece of metal, completely matching the parameters and appearance of the ring itself. In this case, the joints are treated not only with a laser, but also with fire. To give the jewelry a natural shine, you need to immerse it in a solution with boric acid. After this, you will not even be able to distinguish where the original metal patch is located, and where the factory tire begins.
The type of soldering directly depends on the existing shape of the stone on the product. You can increase the ring size by soldering an insert made of identical metal in at least an hour. Sometimes it takes more time to process a product.
Which wedding rings can be enlarged and which cannot?
Before enlarging your wedding ring, you should find out in advance whether it can be resized at all: this depends on the model and other characteristics of the jewelry.
Material and design of jewelry
The material of the wedding ring is the first important point to pay attention to. And if the question is: “How to increase the size of a gold or silver wedding ring?” is easily solved, problems may arise with platinum or rhodium. These metals are very hard, so special equipment is needed to process them. If your ring is made from these expensive metals, then look for a craftsman who specializes in platinum and rhodium.
The second type of wedding rings, which practically cannot be enlarged, is jewelry with an openwork airy pattern. When rolled out, the ornament is deformed, and when inserted, its integrity is compromised. When boring, the pattern becomes thinner, and the metal in these places may subsequently simply crack or bend.
The third type of finger jewelry can be increased, but you need to be especially careful with them. These are headbands with large stones. For example, diamond wedding rings can easily be damaged by heat or deformation during cutting and insertion, if the bezel is too far apart and this changes the shape of the stone mount.
Separately, it is worth considering rings with small stones in a circle: such wedding bands can only be increased by 1 size by boring them. We'll talk more about this method a little later.
Drawings and inscriptions
And finally, we’ll tell you about rings with an engraving or textured surface. Wherever the decor is placed (outside or inside the tire), no matter what enlargement method is used, the pattern will be damaged. If the original engraving is not so important to you, you can remove it and then reapply it.
An ideal option for wedding jewelry that can be quickly and easily expanded is classic smooth rings made of gold or its alloys. You can also work with silver jewelry of the same design, however, after enlargement, the metal may turn black. If the silver has been gold-plated or otherwise treated, the plating may be damaged. In the first case, the decoration is easy to clean, in the second, it is sprayed again.
Simple and safe option with boring
It is quite possible to increase the size of a ring with a stone in the simplest and safest way - through boring the product. This procedure involves cutting out the inner layer of the tire. It allows you to enlarge your ring by about half a size. The method is ideal for products with decorative and precious stones that have a wide shank.
The process is usually performed using a special machine with a clamp. It is not suitable for rings that are too thin. Only for wide ones. Takes approximately 10-30 minutes. However, this method has its drawbacks. Due to the use of rolling or boring, the thickness of the tire will decrease. It will become thinner than its original thickness.
How to increase the size of a wedding ring?
So, we have already found out that almost any wedding ring can be enlarged. The main thing is to have a trusted craftsman resize your wedding jewelry. But whether it is possible to do this yourself is a difficult question. Let's look at it in more detail.
How to enlarge a wedding ring at home?
To do this important job yourself, you need the “stars to align”: your ring must be classic (smooth and gold), and you can “get” a metal cone that matches the new size of your finger. What we do next:
- wraps the cone in foil so as not to scratch the decoration;
- heat the ring and put it on the cone;
- Gently tap the decoration with a hammer, moving it downwards towards the expanding part of the cone.
Before enlarging your engagement ring, make sure you have the skills to do it at home. It’s better not to take risks (especially if the ring is very expensive to you) and give the jewelry to an experienced craftsman.
How much does it cost to stretch a ring?
Jewelers in any salon can stretch the ring. But you shouldn’t take your word for it, because in the worst case, you will lose your favorite ring forever. Be sure to inquire about the following things before entrusting your jewelry:
- way of doing the work;
- quality of the tools used;
- Is there a guarantee?
Important! Depending on the method chosen, part of the ring remains. In reliable shops, the jeweler should give you the part that was removed, and not keep it for himself.
The cost of ring enlargement starts from 600 rubles for a standard procedure (gold engagement ring without inserts). The more expensive the stone, the greater the risks. For a product with a diamond they will demand at least 2 thousand rubles. Specialists will not undertake work on a product that has cracks or chips.
Application of mechanical stretching of metal
When answering the question of whether it is possible to increase the size of the ring, one cannot help but recall the method of mechanical stretching of the metal. However, the method is not suitable for products with complex decorative patterns. The presence of a small stone in this case is allowed. The ring itself should also not be too wide. Its approximate thickness should not be more than 10 mm.
During the work process, the master usually performs calculations and determines the size. After that, he rotates the fixed decoration on a special crossbar and heats it. Thus, he manages to achieve suitable dimensions of the product. At the end of the procedure, it is necessary to eliminate roughness and uneven areas of the tire. To do this, it is cleaned and polished.
What to do with a small wedding ring if you don’t use drastic measures
There are people who are afraid to take their jewelry to workshops. There can be many reasons for this - from fear of being stolen to religious beliefs. At the same time, hand over the ring in order to get another one for it, pawn it, etc. not an option for them. Just like putting the jewelry in the box. In this case, there are options for solving this problem.
For example, you can hang a small ring on a chain and wear it as a locket.
This method is quite controversial, because... It’s still a ring, and pendants or a cross are often worn on the neck. However, if this ring is not just a wedding ring, but a wedding ring, you can do the same with it.
In addition, experts assure that the ring cannot become small out of the blue. If your fingers are plump, then there is a logical explanation for this. For example, hormonal problems that cause you to gain weight. Or swelling began to appear. In both cases, this is not good. To make the ring fit you again, take care of your health and eliminate these problems.
There is nothing terrible in the situation of reducing the size of the ring. The main thing is not to panic and make an informed decision. In any case, the choice will be yours.
Ways to resize a product
If you decide to reduce the size of the ring yourself, then use the methods listed below.
Method No. 1 : Silicone lining. It can be purchased at a jewelry store. You just need to attach such a lining to the inside of the decoration.
Method #2 : Manicure polish that has no color. It must be applied to the inside of the product layer by layer.
Method No. 3 : Epoxy glue. This composition can be applied to the inside of the ring. When it hardens, it will remain transparent.
Method No. 4 : Disposable inserts. Take a nylon thread and wind it in one part on the product. Then put the insert on.
Method #5 : Wire cutters. Cut the decoration, remove the required part and sand the edges well. You will only have to wear such a product in such a way that the soldered side is not visible.
Regardless of which method you choose, be careful and attentive!
