The Cost of Sizing a Ring Smaller
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
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
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
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
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
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?
Hi Tracey, People do ship rings to me. You are right that not all jewelers can deal with some of the complex issues that special finishes present. I’ve had more than one client show me a ring to be sized that one to three jewelers told her couldn’t be sized. I sized them all. The most challenging was an eternity band set with all emeralds. When she put it on for the first time in ten years she cried. She was so happy. I’ll never forget how she felt and how wonderful it felt to be the hero jeweler. That’s… Read more »
Hey im looking to size my ring smaller are you located in london or no and wats the cost hope to here back
Hello Tenicha,
Thank you for writing. I am not in London. Actually I am in Santa Barbara California. That’s cool that my blogs are showing up there for you. Good luck finding a nice local jeweler to help you.
Your Personal Jeweler,
Calla
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 »
Linda,
Thank you so much for your story. I love that you got jewelry closure from understanding what happened. Your jeweler may have been a basic jeweler who wasn’t up to the fancier skills needed to deal with an oxidized ring. How unfortunate. Well now that you know what is needed I think you should get yourself a nice oxidized ring!
For full closure!
Your Personal Jeweler,
Calla
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?
Hello Karen, I have been meaning to do a blog post about rose gold. Rose gold is very beautiful. It is a different animal for sure from white and yellow gold. Rose gold has a higher copper content to create the rose look. Copper is a very active metal in how it can change and react to heat. Often other metals used in rose gold alloy, like silver,can help overcome the problems copper can cause. But for every bit of silver used the rose color is slightly diminished. Here is an excerpt from information from Precious Metals West a company… Read more »
I purchased a large mother of pearl silver doublet ring would a jeweler be able to size it down?
Hello Patrizia, Mother of pearl is highly sensitive to heat. It is also on the fragile side. It is maybe able to be sized by laser, probably not with open fire work. If it is glue set, a little heat applied at the back may break the glue bond and allow it to be removed for the sizing work. The method that your mother of pearl is set will be a factor in determining if it can be sized. I’m seeing a lot of rings being made these days that are made with no thought to future sizing. I have… Read more »
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?
Hi John,
Normally sizing a ring two sizes smaller doesn’t include adding gold. If it was super thin to begin with perhaps there was a need to add gold. However they should have mentioned that need to you so you could see for yourself that it was needed.
Strange.
Resizing jeweler,
Calla Gold
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.
Hi Sandra,
Adding speed bumps like this is generally done to help keep a ring from spinning. It can be done to make the ring feel a bit smaller. Proper sizing of the ring is the best practices technique however and I recommend it is the ideal solution.
Thank you for asking.
Your Personal Jeweler,
Calla
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?
Hello Correne,
Could you email me a picture of your new ring? Going from an 8 to a 5 is an extreme sizing. Happily I do extreme sizings. They are kind of a specialty with me.
My email is calla@callagold.com.
Your Ring Sizing Jeweler,
Calla Gold
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!
Hi Sheenagh,
I just emailed you in response. I’d love to size your engagement ring. Congratulations on your engagement!
Your Personal Jeweler,
Calla
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!
Dear Julian, I see that the diamonds going down the sides appear to have four prongs each. I’d say yes I can size it to a 3 or 3.25….However I can’t just not mention what bothers me about this ring. 1) The diamonds are K color. My experience with women who have K color diamonds in a wedding ring is that they want to upgrade to a G or so. K color is a bit grey, when it gets dirty, which let’s face it a ring worn daily gets dirty, it darkens further and is just disappointing looking from where… Read more »
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
Hi Tania,
That definitely sounds like a ring I could size.
I’d like to see it to check out the setting style to be sure it is sizable.
Your Personal Jeweler,
Calla