How to reduce the size of a ring without harming its appearance

Indications for ring reduction

Rings have long been an integral part of the human image, both male and female. Signets, with a diamond, without a stone, gold, silver, wedding and other items are worn in everyday life and on special occasions. Rings come into our lives as gifts, are passed down by inheritance, or are purchased independently. In any case, jewelry should bring pleasure and not cause discomfort when worn.

Ring size is one of the main criteria that requires special attention. Very often, products received as a gift turn out to be too large and require correction. In what other cases is ring reduction required:

• After losing weight, the jewelry began to fall off my finger. A slim figure is good, but this is not a reason to put the ring in the back drawer, especially if it is an engagement ring;
• The purchase was made without trying on. Nowadays, many people purchase things from online stores and it is simply impossible to visually assess the quality of the product, much less try it on. That’s why you have to look for a jeweler and have the ring adjusted to size;
• The ring is presented in a single copy, but the size, unfortunately, does not fit. In such a situation, there is no need to refuse the purchase, but you can simply give the product away for reduction;
• The ring was inherited, but it turned out to be too small. If you are not going to wear it, then you don’t have to worry about the size, but if you plan to make it your permanent decoration, then you need to contact a jeweler and have it customized for you.

You may need to reduce the size of the ring if the purchase was made without trying it on.
You can easily reduce the size of a wedding ring made of ordinary metal. To do this, it is enough to cut a piece at its lower part and solder or reduce the product by compression. However, not all jewelry behaves adequately after processing and in most cases loses its appearance.

Correction methods in a jewelry workshop

Reducing the size of a ring made of gold or other materials is quite a delicate matter and requires a professional approach. If you do not have the skills, then it is better to leave this work to a specialist and not spoil the decoration. With an experienced eye, he will determine which fitting option is suitable for this or that decoration and whether it is possible to reduce it at all.

In what ways does a jewelry maker reduce the rings of his clients?

1. Tenderloin. You can reduce the ring size by cutting out a piece in the part that is not visible, for example, from the bottom. Usually 2.5-3 mm is enough for the ring to fit properly on your finger. After trimming, the edges of the product are soldered and polished.
2. Compression. This method will be appropriate for simple rings, without inlay with stones, engravings or ornaments. First, the product is heated to the required temperature until the metal becomes pliable, then it is cooled and placed in a special cone of the appropriate diameter. After this, the ring is covered with a press - a ball punch and forged with a hammer. The softened metal, descending along a tapering cone, decreases in volume and becomes denser. When the desired size is reached, the product is removed and polished.
3. Insert. On the inside of the ring, the craftsman solders a bezel made of metal that matches the material from which the jewelry itself is made. You can experiment and make an insert from a different metal. For example, solder platinum or silver onto a gold ring.

The possibility of using one or another method depends on the type of product, its complexity, material of manufacture and the presence of additional elements. It is important that before work, the jeweler removes the stones, if any, and upon completion, inserts them back. If this is not done, then after reducing the size of the ring with the stone, the fastenings may become deformed, the jewelry will wobble and risk falling out.

How to reduce the size of a ring in a jewelry workshop

You can reduce the diameter of a ring made of gold or other material using one of three methods:

1. Cutting out. The specialist reduces the accessory by removing 3-4 mm.
2. Squeezing. The metal is heated, cooled slightly and covered with a punch (press) in special equipment. The jeweler hits the punch and thereby compacts the metal. The accessory is then cleaned and polished.
3. Insert. Another rim is soldered into the decoration, which makes the product smaller.

The last method is the safest. However, jewelers choose an option based on the features of the product. For example, smooth accessories will withstand any treatment, but openwork decorations are best adjusted using a headband.

Reduce ring size with insert

It is more difficult to change the size of a ring with a stone. Even with minor adjustments, the frame becomes deformed and no longer holds the insert, which leads to its loss.

Most often, to, for example, reduce the size of a gold ring with diamonds, cutting is used. Large inserts are removed from the frame, while small ones remain in place. At the end of the work, the master corrects the fastenings.

How much will it cost to have a gold ring reduced in size? If the accessory is without decorative elements, the price will be 500-1000 rubles. The price is influenced by the complexity of the jewelry, the quality of the alloy and the method the jeweler chooses.

Does the procedure affect the appearance of the product?

Before reducing the size of a gold ring, everyone will probably think about the safety of its beauty. They are especially sensitive to expensive unique products or those received by inheritance. If a professional takes care of the sizing, then there is no reason to worry. But when the ring falls into the hands of an amateur, you can expect the following troubles:

• If you do not remove the stone from the ring before reducing its size by heating, it may crack or change color. This is due to the fact that not all minerals tolerate high temperatures and retain their properties;
• after resizing, the ring may become oval instead of round. Also, if adjusted by more than 2 sizes, the ornament or inscription will be distorted;
• Silver rings may become lighter if exposed to too high a temperature;
• if the ring is made of several metals or different colors of the same raw material, then the weld seam will be more difficult to disguise, because all metals react differently to soldering;
• Diamond cut products will either lose their shine or have their edges “rolled” if the reduction without trimming procedure was chosen.

The procedure for reducing the size of the ring can affect its appearance.
The ideal option for adjusting the size would be laser welding. Compared to gas, it is more gentle on metal and leaves behind a thin, invisible seam.

Reducing a ring at home

Of course, you won’t be able to melt and then quickly cool the ring at home. If it is not possible to take the accessory to the salon, then use home methods. This is not a panacea, since in any case you will have to turn to specialists. You should also remember that a gold or silver ring with a stone, reduced at home, will not fit securely on your hand. The main reason that people order a reduction is that they are afraid for the safety of the ring - it may fall off their finger during activity, sports, work, or swimming. Even after making a qualitative reduction in the house, you still cannot achieve complete safety.

Silicone lining

A special silicone lining will help you roll a ring with a stone at home. These products are sold in showrooms, but they are still difficult to find in Russia, even despite their obvious demand and versatility. Silicone linings not only reduce the size, but also prevent slipping; the ring will not put pressure on the finger and create discomfort.

Important! Choose accessories only from trusted companies - unknown silicone causes irritation on delicate skin.

Silicone gaskets vary in width. If the ring is very large, then the maximum one is selected, and vice versa. It is clear that the device experiences a strong mechanical effect (phalanx, skin ring, water and other media with which it comes into contact). Even high-quality and reliable silicone will withstand a maximum of two months under constant use. Don't forget to change your device.

Nail polish

Nail polish is a popular method that will cost you pennies. You will need a high-quality, interest-free composition. The trick is that the varnish is applied to the back of the ring, dries for five to ten minutes, and then another layer is applied. If the ring is very large, then there may be a dozen such surfaces - the main thing is to let them dry.

The difficulty is that it is only possible to apply one or two layers. But when displacement begins from three, the varnish comes out over the edges. The appearance of the jewelry will be ruined.

Which rings cannot be reduced?

Is it possible to reduce the size of a ring without paying attention to its characteristics? Unfortunately, not all products are amenable to technological correction and this must be understood and accepted. Moreover, there are no hopeless situations and there are many other ways to reduce jewelry without damaging it. Rings that cannot be reduced are:

• from the category of costume jewelry. It is not always known what alloy the ring is made of, so during the procedure it may crack, crumble, oxidize, etc.;
• from simple metals. After heating, they can turn black and, when compressed, lose their shape. In this case, the seam will also not be able to be completely hidden;
• from alloys that, after heat treatment, release harmful substances, and these, in turn, negatively affect human health.

Precious metal rings with diamonds also sometimes qualify as prohibited for sizing. For example, a ring coated with rhodium when heated loses its original appearance and will have to be restored. But even after restoration, its beauty will no longer be the same.

It is also difficult to reduce a ring made of openwork filigree, with a complex pattern, stone scattering around the entire perimeter, or a unique engraving.

It is not recommended to reduce platinum rings

Platinum is a difficult material to resize, and resizing such a ring requires special laser equipment as well as a high-temperature crucible. Not all jewelry workshops are equipped with such devices. In some cases, after correction by cutting out a piece of the product, a black mark will be visible at the seam site.

How to change ring size at home?

You can reduce the ring yourself, but home methods are not highly technological. The simplest thing you can think of is to wear a large ring under a product that matches the diameter. Thus, you will have two rings on your finger, the main thing is that they match each other in style. If you do not want to wear several rings, then you can use other suitable methods.

Silicone insert

There are special silicone inserts that are placed on the inside of the ring and hold it on the finger. This way, you can not only reduce the size of the jewelry, but also prevent it from slipping. This method is performed as follows:

• Buy a silicone insert at a jewelry store. Make sure that it is made from natural raw materials that will not cause irritation to the skin;
• the insert is carefully attached to the ring from the inside;
• The product is put on the finger.

It is important that the lining does not cause discomfort or rub the skin. This is a simple, fast and effective way to make a ring of the desired size. The only drawback is that silicone quickly deteriorates and will have to be replaced every 1-1.5 months.

3D printing of analogue ring

The method is similar to the previous one, but more durable. In any printing house that has 3D printers, you can order the production of a duplicate of your ring. As a result, you will get an analogue made of polymer, but with a smaller diameter. It is put on the finger, and its decoration is on top or inserted inside. This resizing option will be good for up to a year. Then you will have to either order a new backup, or look for an alternative.

Clear nail polish

The method is clearly “girly”, but men can also use it. The inside of the ring is treated with about ten layers of varnish. Before applying the next layer, make sure that the previous one has dried well enough. Using this method, the problem is solved for about 2-3 months, depending on the intensity of wear. If desired, the ring can be repainted.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to reduce the size of a ring, but all of them will harm the jewelry to one degree or another. Therefore, it is best to immediately buy jewelry of the desired diameter, after preliminary fitting.

How to reduce ring size at home

If a specialist refuses to work or you don’t want to contact him, you can reduce the ring size at home. Self-adjustment options:

1. Transparent nail polish. Apply 2-3 layers inside the accessory.
2. Flesh-colored adhesive plaster. Cut a strip of plaster and glue it inside the product.
3. Silicone lining for rings. These are the inserts that professionals use. You can buy them in specialized stores.
4. Epoxy adhesive. Prepare it according to the instructions and apply a thin layer. Repeat twice if necessary.
5. A homemade insert for a ring from a dropper tube or a helium rod. Cut a piece up to 1 cm in size lengthwise, melt the edges over a fire and secure it on the inside of the product.

Reducing ring size at home
The simplest method is to apply colorless transparent nail polish. If necessary, ring resizing can be resumed using this method. The average wear time is three months.

It will be safer for the product and skin to use silicone rings to reduce the size. The inserts are made from natural material, but the wearing period is reduced to one month. Before applying any product to the ring, make sure you are not allergic.