HOW TO MEASURE YOUR RING SIZE: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
IF THE RING FITS...
If you would like to follow along with the article, download our ring size guide, SA Ring Sizing, US Ring Sizing.
If you would like to follow along with the article, download our ring size guide, SA Ring Sizing, and US Ring Sizing. Think you need to leave the comfort of your own home to gauge your ring size? Think again. Whether you wish to order gorgeous diamond jewellery online or hint to your beloved what your dream engagement ring looks like, discovering your ring size only requires a little DIY. But if that doesn't quite fit your initial modus operandi of "doing it all from my couch" and then subtly leaving a browser open on your partner's laptop with a page of engagement rings pulled up, we hear you. But before you start measuring, know this: ideally, your ring should fit comfortably on your finger. This means it's fitted enough not to fall off but not lose to the point where it may slide over your knuckle without some force. Here are five points to consider so your measurement is spot on.
ONE: YOUR KNUCKLE IS IN CHARGE
When it comes to engagement rings (or any piece of similar luxury diamond jewellery for your digits), it's your knuckle and not the lower part of your finger that dictates the size of your ring. This is why: if you know your knuckle is larger, you should order half a size bigger than your finger alone indicates. Otherwise, you won't be able to slide the ring on seamlessly. This is a good tip when considering bridal diamond jewellery designs such as wedding bands. It's also a must for eternity band engagement rings. Suppose you (or your partner) choose one that's a full eternity (in other words, with a full circle of diamonds making up the band). In that case, it's tricky to re-size the piece without losing some diamonds because it compromises the setting and the diamonds. It is advisable that both parties need to be present when deciding to purchase a full eternity ring so that you get the perfect ring size. For more information on this matter, please contact us or book an appointment today with CEO and Founder Yair Shimansky for expert advice.
TWO: TRY AND TRY AGAIN
For accuracy, measure your finger three to four times (at different points during the day or even during the week or month) because the size fluctuates depending on temperature. It tends to be smaller the colder you are and gets more swollen if you're too hot. And you don't want to rush the process and then find that the beautiful solitaire engagement ring (purchased to perfection) now doesn't fit.
THREE: STRING ME ALONG
You can measure your ring size using either string or, perhaps, a more common item in your home, dental floss. Please wrap one of these items around the base of your finger, marking where the string or floss meets its starting point with a pen. However, a word of caution - there's one potential problem with this method: string and floss are stretchy, so try to avoid pulling either too taut because you may be making your ring size smaller than it would be. Next, line up the piece of string or floss with a ruler and take down its length in millimetres. From here, you'll gauge the number or letter - the symbol jewellers need to know when you select your ring's size.
FOUR: NUMBERS OR LETTERS?
Symbols vary from country to country. For instance, here in the US (as well as Canada), we work on a numbering system for ring sizing. This is an essential guide to determine yours once you know your millimetre measurement: Standard ring sizes mean that every half a size matches up to a 0.4-millimetre increment. So, starting with size 3 equaling 14.1 mm, size 3.5 is equal to 14.5 mm, size 4 equal is to 14.9 mm, and so on.
The most common ring sizes for women are 6 (16.5 mm), 6.5 (16.9 mm), and 7 (17.3 mm). For men, the most common sizes are 10 (19.8 mm), 10.5 (20.2 mm), and 11 (20.6 mm).
However, if you live in the UK, Australia, or South Africa and visit jewellers like Shimansky in Cape Town, you must know your ring size in a letter symbol. This is how you discover whether you're an M (reported as the most common size for women in the UK) or an N (the most common in South Africa). The formula is simple: add .4mm to work out your letter. It makes sense that the smaller your measurement in millimetres, the higher on the alphabet you'll be, with A being 12mm. For example, if your measurement is 15.5 mm, you're a J; 15.9 means you're a K.
FIVE: ALL IS NOT LOST
Do you already know your ring size? Explore our stunning range of engagement rings and find the perfect one for you! After all your measuring and calculating—and after that beautiful proposal and finally meeting the oval diamond engagement ring of your dreams—worst luck, it just doesn't fit perfection. And you're not alone; around 40 percent of rings need resizing. While engagement rings average 2mm in width, the wider the ring, the more likely its size won't be accurate.
So, even if you did get your ring size spot on if you or your partner selected a wider shank, measurements may need to be adjusted slightly. Rest assured, Shimansky offers a complimentary first re-size to make things wonderfully smooth. To resize your ring, a small incision in the band is made to extend or tighten it as needed. Once completed, the gap is soldered and polished to seamlessly hide any evidence of alterations. At Shimansky, we have excellent craftsmen who will customise the ring size to fit your finger perfectly.
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