Engagement rings are more than pretty baubles and diamond studs. They’re a constant reminder of the person you love and your commitment to one another. Thus, selecting engagement rings is something that needs special attention.
Before you visit a store to buy an engagement ring, there are a few things you need to consider. And one of these things is your partner’s ring size. It will be easier if your partner wears a ring all the time. You can just sneak up and take the ring to a jeweler’s shop to find a matching size.
But what if they don’t wear rings? What if they’re not used to wearing any jewelry? How, then, can you make that marriage proposal that you’ve been planning for all this time? It will be an embarrassment if the engagement ring you bought doesn’t fit your partner.
For this reason, we’ve gathered some ways to help you get an estimate of your partner’s ring size.
Keep an Engagement Ring Size Chart
When it comes to engagement rings, size really does matter. A 3-carat diamond ring may be special, but the aesthetic is nothing if it doesn’t fit your partner. Fit engagement rings should slide over your knuckles. But, the problem is that not every finger is the same.
Not to mention other factors affecting ring sizes, such as body temperature and width of the band. That’s why choosing engagement rings can sometimes be challenging.
Using a ring size conversion chart can help you get an almost accurate estimate of your partner’s ring size. The US uses a numeric system based on quarter-and-half-unit measurements for their charts.
A ring size chart is useful for wedding rings, engagement rings, or any other ring for that matter. There is also no distinction between men’s and women’s ring sizes in these charts. So you can use an engagement ring size chart to measure your ring size as well.
There are many resources online to get a size chart, and most of the time, they are free to download. So, if you still have doubts about the size you get from one chart, you can get another from a different source. This will help you get a consistent size before noting it and giving it to your jeweler.
No matter the measuring technique you use, an engagement ring size chart is helpful. It gives you the correct size based on the diameter or circumference of the ring. Keeping one saves you a great deal of time by avoiding too loose or too tight engagement ring sizes.
How to Estimate Your Partner’s Ring Size?
The best thing about ring size charts is that you can use them with any other method of measuring ring sizes. But, the method you use depends on different factors. Here’s an example of each approach to determining one’s ring size:
1. Stick to the Average Ring Size
Remember that rings need adjusting. But, if you can estimate roughly, you’ll have a good sense of what to expect. Here’s how it works for engagement rings:
- Try starting at a size 4 or 4.5 for women. And approximately a 7 for men if you have a petite spouse. Their hands are more likely smaller with slimmer fingers.
- They have average-sized fingers if their height is closer to the average. For women, the average finger size is 6, whereas for men it’s 8 or 8.5.
- Above-average. It is a good idea to start at about a ring size 7 for a woman and a size 10 for a man. That’s because of their weight distribution throughout their entire body.
Tip: If you’re not sure what ring size to order, then go for standard finger size. But experts don’t recommend estimating your ring size without using any tool. Of course, you want to be confident that the ring will fit your partner when you pop the question. For that matter, you can use a ring sizer.
2. Use a Ring Sizer
You can get a more precise measurement of your finger with a ring sizer. There are plenty of stores online that sell ring sizers. But before you buy one, make sure you know what to expect. Some come in the form of a thin measuring tape, and others come in the form of a keyring.
The thin measuring tape ring sizer has a gradient of ring sizes around it. You use it much like you use any measuring tape, except it has a sort of buckle at one end. This will help you lock in and determine the right size of your partner’s finger.
On the other hand, keyrings have a collection of rings in different sizes. It also has a number engraved on it, which translates to the size of the ring. You just need to find a ring on the tool that best fits your partner’s finger and take note of the size.
There are also downloadable ring sizers online, but be sure you know how to use them. Some websites provide instructions. Read them first before you print one.
Tip: If you want an accurate result, measure your partner’s finger twice, three times, or even more. An accurate measurement will make your 3-carat diamond ring more special than it already is.
3. Consider Asking Friends and Family
Friends and family are one of the most reliable sources of information. And there’s a huge chance that they have gifted your partner a ring before. If you want to keep the engagement ring secret, you can always ask for their help.
Tip: You can ask your partner to try on heirloom jewelry. After all, 40% of American families have one. Just make sure your partner won’t suspect a thing. Otherwise, you will be blowing your cover and risk losing all the time and preparation for your marriage proposal.
4. Get Professionally Sized
Measuring your partner’s finger on your own is great, but it may not be as accurate as having a professional do it. They know more about ring sizes and can get the right measurement of your partner’s finger.
Not to mention that each jeweler’s shop may have different ring sizing specifications. Some sizes could be heavier or thicker than the typical band size.
Tip: Buy jewelry from the same jeweler that provides measurements for you and your partner. Since they already know your band size, it is simpler to get your ring size. Remember that not all wedding bands allow for resizing, but most engagement rings can. Ask your jeweler about their resizing policy before you buy one.
5. Get the Larger Ring Size
If all else fails or if you think the other methods listed here won’t work, go for a larger size. The idea is that it’s easier to size down an engagement ring than to size it up. You’ll find it hard to look for jewelers who will agree to up-size smaller rings.
They will need extra gold or other metal to up-size the rings. Not to mention that other engagement ring settings are more difficult to resize. If you’re planning on giving her a ring with side stones or pave bands, this method won’t apply to you. This method only works for rings with other settings, like a channel setting.
If the larger ring size is slipping off of your partner’s finger, you can always use a ring guard. It’s a great help for your spouse to wear the ring before you can take it away again to have it resized.
Give your partner extra time to appreciate the ring and show it off to friends and family. But make sure that you will have the ring resized at some point in the future. Ring guards are only a temporary solution to the problem.
Find Your Ideal Fit
For the perfect fit, experts say to try a half size up and down. But this choice will depend on how much your ring moves around or whether it feels too tight on your finger. The truth is, sizing up is harder to do than sizing down. The most crucial step is to wear your ring for a while and pay attention to how it feels.
When you follow these tips, you’ll be miles ahead of most couples-to-be. As you can see, finding the right ring size for your partner needs a bit of trial and error. But if you take your time and get the fit right, you’ll make them sparkle.
