A wedding ring should fit like a second skin — not so tight that it irritates your skin or cuts off circulation, but not so loose that it’s in danger of falling off. One of the highlights of a wedding, engagement, or simply gifting someone a ring is when the ring slides smoothly onto the finger, so it’s important to get the size right.
You might know your ring size as a simple number — somewhere between 5 and 10, most likely. But that number isn’t universal. A lot of different factors can affect the size of ring that fits you best. Here at acredo, we’re dedicated to helping you find the right size for any acredo ring your heart desires. Here are a few things you should keep in mind.
On Which Side Do You Wear the Ring?
Engagement rings are generally worn on the left side, closest to the heart, in the USA and in most countries. When you get married, the wedding ring takes its place on the same finger. In many countries, however, the wedding ring is traditionally worn on the right hand for a number of reasons.
In Germany and Austria, the right hand is traditionally considered the “righteous” hand, so that’s where the wedding ring resides. In India, the left hand was traditionally considered “unclean” — it’s considered inappropriate to eat with the left hand for the same reason — though some are adopting the practice of wearing the wedding ring on the left from the United States.
In many Northern and Eastern European countries, including Denmark, Russia, Norway, Poland, and Bulgaria, wearing the wedding ring on the right hand is the more common practice. In some countries, like Brazil, engagement rings are worn on one hand and switched to the other when the couple gets married.
Regardless of your personal or cultural tradition, it’s a good idea to measure the finger on the side that the ring will actually be worn. All fingers are sized differently, and your ring finger on one hand might not be the same size as your ring finger on the other.
How Should You Measure an Existing Ring (Especially When It’s a Surprise)?
In many cases, you want your ring purchase to be a surprise! An engagement ring or even just a ring for Mother’s Day, an anniversary, or a birthday is a wonderful gift, but you’ll need to know the size of the ring you want before you make a purchase.
The easiest way to determine ring size is to find an existing ring belonging to the person that you’re giving it to. Make sure they wear the ring on the same finger that you’re planning to buy for. If you’re buying an engagement ring and they haven’t worn a ring on that finger, use the right ring finger instead. If they’re right handed it’s usually slightly larger. The ring might be a little loose at first with this method, but it’s easier to size a ring down than up.
Another trick that’s useful in a pinch is to find a tapered candle that’s narrow enough to insert through the ring at one end but wider than the ring at the other. Slide the ring down the candle until it sits snugly, then mark the candle at the spot where the ring rests. Take that candle to acredo where we can use the mark to size for the ring you are purchasing. Again: remember to use a ring that will go on the same finger you’re planning to buy for!
Better yet, enlist the help of friends or family who can be discreet!
Keep The Ring Profile In Mind
Some rings are slender and elegant, while some have a much wider profile for a more commanding presence. The width of the ring you buy might make a substantial difference in the size of the ring itself since your fingers are not the same width all the way down.
Rings with a convex inner profile tend to slide much more easily down the finger than rings with a straight inner profile. Similarly, narrow rings will slide more easily than wide rings, making them easier to put on and take off.
At acredo, we will order a sample ring with the exact size and profile of the ring you’re interested in purchasing. Sample rings take 1-2 weeks to arrive, then you can wear that ring as a test, putting it on and removing it and wearing it on a day-to-day basis to make sure it feels just right before your actual ring is manufactured.
A Few More Tips
- Your fingers tend to swell over the course of the day, meaning they’re thinner in the morning than in the afternoon. To make sure you order a ring that’s not too small, measure your fingers in the afternoon.
- Ring size is also influenced by temperature. Warm weather makes your fingers swell slightly, so keep that in mind. If it’s a particularly cold day, you’ll want to size up your ring to make sure it fits comfortably in warmer weather.
- Due to changes in body weight, the size of your fingers can change over time. Remember to take your ring on and off occasionally to make sure it still fits properly.
For more information, give us a call or stop by! We’ll be happy to help you find the perfect ring for yourself or your special someone!