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Ring Size 
Will One Piece of Advice Fit All?

Ring sizing, at its core, is something so common yet fundamentally misunderstood. 

The earliest existing rings were those found in the sacred tombs in ancient Egypt; since then, rings have been utilised by countless cultures to indicate status, law, or seen as a promise of fidelity. Because of this, there have been countless ways to size a ring, and even more ideas of what the ‘perfect’ fit means. 

Regardless of what you hear, the most important thing you must remember is: personal preference comes before everything else. What ‘perfect’ means changes from person to person. Some may like a tight fit that can be felt all throughout the day, others don't mind a ring that will fly off with little movement. Although some may not see either of these as ‘comfortable’, both ways are ‘right’, because ultimately, it is the ring-wearer who will have the final say. 

"Average" Ring Sizes

U.S. ring sizes follow a scale of numbers (and half numbers), typically from ring size 3 to 13.5 for adults. Women’s rings are commonly between sizes 3 and 9, while men’s rings are usually sized between 8 and 14. Those units match up to your finger’s width in millimeters: A ring size 3 fits a ring finger (or any finger) that is 14 millimeters across, and the sizes climb from there. The average ring size for women is between 5 and 7 (up to 9),

Finding Your Size

Ring sizers are a unique (and sometimes free) way to provide an accurate measurement of your ring size. Of course, there are some ways (like paper or string) that will give you a general idea, but if you're wanting a specific answer then you might want to look into something more advanced. 

There are two well-documented tools that are often utilised for this specific dilemma. Your local jeweller will often possess a metal ring sizer, which (described simply) is a keychain of various ring sizes that someone can wear, until they find a specific size that suits them comfortably! This can be a fun process that consists of just trying on blank rings until there is something that fits.

Another tool is an adjustable ring sizer, which can be bought and printed at home, or acquired from a jeweller or store; this is a small device that functions much like a zip-tie, and is placed around the finger and tightened. Upon the surface are ring sizes, so when used correctly, should reveal to the user a correct ring size. 

There is a slight caveat to these methods. As most jewellers know, the ‘universal’ ring sizers will always have a slight variance - usually by a few millimetres. Currently, there is no perfect rule or universal measure to ensure that one size from one jeweller will translate directly to the same size from a different jeweller. The only way to ensure a ‘perfect’ fit is to work directly with a jeweller, right from the beginning of your size being measured in store, to the jewellery being made; of course, this is a timely process, and is not available or appropriate for everyone. 

However, regardless of where you are shopping, it is important to remember that different countries will have different ‘sizes’, as well as terms used for those. This is especially crucial if you are purchasing from an overseas store, or online. If you are unsure, don’t be afraid to contact someone and ask questions!

Stuck Rings 

Trying on rings can be a fun process, but there is a problem that inevitably will happen, where the rings begin to get stuck on your finger. Our bodies are constantly changing, which means that one hour a ring that fits perfectly, can become a stuck menace! 

Fingers swell when you sleep, and are usually bigger in the morning; arthritis in joints can cause your knuckles to swell, as well as fluid retention, or just a warm day. A general rule is to size your ring up a small amount to account for all of this. Eventually your fingers can and probably will become larger than a ring, especially if the ring is never removed, causing the jewellery to become stuck. 

There is no need to fear, however! There are quite a few methods of removing a ring. The one with the highest success rate is the ‘finger ring cutter’ that most jewellers possess. It is a metal tool with a circular blade, which can be twisted against a ring in order to create a small cut in the band, allowing for the finger to be free; although this is quite an intrusive operation, once removed, the ring can easily be either fixed or resized by the jeweller, leaving no harm to the individuals involved! 

More, less intrusive, methods of ring-removal exist, which can be helpful given the right situation. When a ‘stuck ring’ is not caused by swelling or weight/muscle gain, it can be caused by loose skin bunching at the knuckle as the ring is pushed to be removed. Pulling the skin towards the base of your finger can allow the ‘bundle’ around the knuckle to be resolved, allowing for the ring to slide off. You can also use a small string (such as dental floss) to wrap around and compress the finger, which will allow for more space between the ring and skin, or even a slippery substance such as hand lotion or oil. Reducing swelling is always a good option if you find yourself stuck! Simple activities, like fully submerging your finger in ice water, can also have a positive outcome, leading to the retrieval of your sacred jewellery.

How to Remove a Stuck Ring

Step 1. Rest the hand in very cool water. Let the cold water cause the finger to naturally reduce in size (and reduce swelling from trying to take the ring off)

Step 2. Add a lubricant. Use a "skin-safe" oil or creams around the skin on either side of the ring

Step 3. Pull the skin back towards the hand and away from the knuckle. Stop the skin 'bunching up' as you try to take the ring off. the ring will naturally push the skin up around the knuckle. very gently pull the skin through the ring to stop this 'bunching'

Step 4. Place your index finger gently on the stuck ring, and thumb under. Start twisting the ring over the knuckle and off the finger