Whether you’ve just said yes to your honey’s marriage proposal or it’s been twenty years since he got down on one knee and presented you with the sparkler that led to wedded bliss, you may find that at some point you need to resize the band. In most cases this is a relatively easy process, but considering that resizing could actually damage your ring, you want to make sure that it’s the right choice and that you find the proper vendor to do it for you. Here are just a few things to consider before you get your engagement ring chopped.
For starters, you need to look at the type of band you have. A plain and unembellished band will be the easiest to resize while those that are patterned, studded, or encrusted will present a much bigger problem. This is because a plain band can be cut, refinished, and polished so that there is no indication of what has been done. To look at the band, you’d never know it had been resized. But when there is an engraving or pattern on the band (inside or out), it will almost certainly be interrupted by resizing, and there will probably be a blank spot if the band is crusted or studded with other stones.
You should also think about whether the band needs to be made larger or smaller. Making a ring smaller is always easier, since a chunk is removed and the band is refinished. In this case, just about anyone could do the job for you. Going up a size or two is going to require a bit more skill. Metal must be added and blended so that the band looks like one solid piece instead of a patch job. And this is where it can get particularly difficult if the band is anything but plain and simple. In most cases, rings that are embellished are going to show a marked contrast, whether they are sized down or up, but especially if metal must be added.
For most rings, you’ll never have to worry about sizing since you can just move them to another finger if they begin to slip or get too tight. But an engagement ring needs to be worn on a specific finger, so if it doesn’t fit there’s a problem. However, you also want to ensure the integrity of your ring since you’re going to have it for a long time. So shop around and choose a good vendor who will work with you to find the best solution for your ring (even if it means scrapping the resize and setting your stone in a new band).
