The Cost of Sizing a Ring Smaller

4mm yellow gold flat top band ring

This Thin Simple Gold Band Will be Easy and Quick to Size With no Extra Charges

This is a continuation of my last week’s post about the cost of Sizing a Ring Larger vs Smaller. Do read last week’s post which lists different factors effecting ring sizing costs. Last week’s are different from those addressed in this week’s post. There are quite a few. If you haven’t read it, check it out!

Beyond the normal average ring sizing costs, there are design and detail aspects of rings that effect the costs whether you are sizing them larger or smaller.

 What is Involved in Sizing a Ring Smaller?

Unlike sizing a ring larger, in which gold (or platinum or silver) is added, in sizing a ring smaller gold is taken away.

I am often asked what happens to the little piece of metal that was cut out of the shank. The answer is that it’s credited against the overall cost of the sizing.

All other factors being equal, sizing a ring smaller costs less than sizing a ring larger due to the reduced material costs.

The range of cost for sizing a ring smaller, let’s say a simple thin gold ring with no gemstones sized a half to one full size: $38 to $55.

Plating Finishes and Their Effect on Sizing Costs

High heat causes gold and rhodium (white) plating to melt and run. This means that anytime a ring has to be soldered, it will also have to be re-plated.

As you might have guessed by now, this adds additional cost to the re-sizing process.

Range of cost to re-plate your ring: $25 to $45

Dark Oxidation and It’s Effect on Sizing Costs

The Oxidation on This Basketball Championship Ring Came off During Sizing and We Re-Applied it

The Oxidation on This Basketball Championship Ring Came off During Sizing and We Re-Applied it

Just like with sizing plated rings, oxidation will come off during the heat of soldering. Once again, the ring will have to be re-oxidized and this will add to the cost.

Range of cost to re-oxidize your ring: $15 to $55.

Unique Finishes, Matted, Hammered, etc. and Their Effect on Sizing Costs

This Ring Has Milgrain, Hammering and Matting all the Way Around the Ring. Your Jeweler Needs to be Able to Replicate it After Sizing

This Ring Has Milgrain, Hammering and Matting all the Way Around the Ring. Your Jeweler Needs to be Able to Replicate it After Sizing

Brushed, satin, hammered, and other finishes will most likely have to be reapplied during the sizing process. This is especially true with rings that have to be sized up.

The surface of the  metal around the sizing area gets buffed and re-worked when sizing smaller or doing any solder work. The metal finish will have to be matched to correspond to the original finish.

Range of cost to reapply special finishes to your ring: $20 to $65.

Unusual Rings by Shape or Style and Their Effect on Sizing Costs

Pyramidal inlay lapis and diamond ring in yellow gold

The Risk of Breaking the Inlaid Lapis isn’t the Only Risk Here. The Tall Soaring Design Top Area Can’t be  made smaller. So we Sized the Bottom into an  Oval Shaped Shank

Some rings are much more challenging to be sized because of their unusual design. With some rings the only way to make them smaller is to make them slightly oval from the top of the ring downward. We make the shank smaller and it pulls upward toward the top.

When I have been forced to do this, I’ve seen that it didn’t cause discomfort and my client was thrilled to wear her ring again. Your jeweler spends more time on these challenging rings.

Range of cost for extra time and care for your artistic and unusual ring: $50 to $150.

Enamel Rings, Yes They Can be Sized, And Enamel’s Effect on Sizing Costs

This Ring Was Sized and Completely Re-Enameled

This Ring Was Sized and Completely Re-Enameled

You may know that the heat of sizing will probably melt your enamel. The change in shape of your ring as it subtly flexes may crack your enamel. One way or another sizing your ring with enamel on it should involve a jeweler who deals with enameling.

A good enamel worker will be able to fairly closely replicate your enamel color. But do expect some difference in color as enamellers hand mix their colors and it is an artistic and somewhat unpredictable process. Like glazes used in firing pottery the powder looks one color before firing and another after firing.

Range of cost for re-enameling your ring: $75 to $250

Final Words

Hopefully this helps you to understand the work needed on your special ring. And hopefully this answers some of your questions and helps you to predict approximate costs for upkeep of your ring.

Ring Sizer Extraordinaire,
Calla Gold

More in the cost of sizing rings series:
The Cost of Sizing a Ring Smaller
The Cost of Sizing a Ring Larger
Why Sizing Your Pearl Ring Costs More
How Much Does it Cost to Size My Ring Platinum and White Gold
How Much Does it Cost to Size my Ring – Gold and Silver
Ring Sizing – What Do You Pay More For and Why?
How Much Does it Cost to Size my Eternity Band Ring?
Ring Sizing, Weight Gain and Weight Loss
Ring Sizing Cost with Milgrain Edging and Carved in Designs
How Much to Have My Enamel Ring Sized?
How Much to Size My Ring – With Scratched and Dull Gems
How Much to Size My Ring – With Matte Finish and Oxidation

 

 

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About Calla Gold

Calla Gold is a Personal Jeweler and Author who takes pride in working with clients one-on-one to integrate their personal sense of style and taste into custom designed jewelry and repaired jewelry pieces.   Unlike typical Santa Barbara jewelry businesses, Calla Gold has no brick-and-mortar location. Calla Gold comes to you, bringing you the jewelry collection you want to see and collaborating with you to create unique custom jewelry. Calla also works with at-a-distance clients.

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Tracey
Tracey
9 years ago

This is excellent information on the pricing and the labor involved in sizing rings. I like that you discussed enameling, antique finishes and oddly shaped rings.
There are jewelers out there who wouldn’t touch some of these issues with a ten foot pole. It’s good to let people know that they can be addressed by advanced jewelers.
I liked seeing the pictures too.
Do people ship sizings to you?

tenicha
tenicha
Reply to  Calla Gold
7 years ago

Hey im looking to size my ring smaller are you located in london or no and wats the cost hope to here back

Linda Perkins
Linda Perkins
9 years ago

Thank you for breaking down the different costs involved in ring sizing. It was especially interesting to read about oxidation and how it comes off in sizing. Years ago I had an oxidized rose ring from a friend. I wore it for a couple of days and it was really too big. I had it sized down at a local jeweler that I just walked into. When I picked it up the oxidation was gone and all the rose flower details were now barely visible. I ended up losing it in a move. I had been sad that it didn’t… Read more »

Karen
9 years ago

What about a rose colored band? I have a chocolate and diamond anniversary band with the diamonds ¾ around the band and I need it resized smaller. It has a rose colored band, I have never seen this color before and it is beautiful. Would I have a problem with that?

patrizia
patrizia
9 years ago

I purchased a large mother of pearl silver doublet ring would a jeweler be able to size it down?

John Burton
John Burton
8 years ago

I have a question? I just had my wedding band resized to 2 smaller sizes. When I went in to pick it up I was shocked to find the bill was considerably more than what was quoted. The jeweler said they needed to ADD gold. Is this normal? Adding gold to make it 2 sizes smaller?

Sandra Jaime
Sandra Jaime
8 years ago

Have you ever heard of or is it acceptable to add little gold or silver balls to the ring to make it fit a smaller finger? My niece took her engagement ring to a jeweler at a flea market and all they did was add two tiny balls of gold to the inside. They did this, because she didn’t want them to cut the ring to make it smaller. Thanks in Advance.

Correne Garner
Correne Garner
8 years ago

I purchased this ring from e bay. It is white gold with CZ stones. Could you resize it? They said it was a 8, but I think I need a 5. What is your opinion?

Sheenagh
Sheenagh
8 years ago

Hello,
My boyfriend recently proposed to me with a beautiful ring bought overseas! It is a diamond and ruby engagement ring set in the shape of a flower.
It is rather big by a few sizes- can you help?
And how long does sizing take?
Thank you for your help!

Julian Nguyen
Julian Nguyen
8 years ago

Hello,

I want to order this engagement ring (http://www.ndstoredotcom/collections/classic-solitaire/products/engagement-ring-ringlet).

They only have size 4, but my gf’s ring finger is only size 3 or 3.25. Do you think you can help me size it down?

Thank you!

Tania
Tania
8 years ago

Hi I just received a wedding ring from my husband but the smallest size they had was a 4 and I need it to be a 3.5 but its sterling silver and I was wondering if you will be able to resize it