topic Re: Resizing Your Engagement/Wedding Rings in Jewelry

Resizing Your Engagement/Wedding Rings

timeless — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 02:26:08 GMT

I'm on the fence on whether or not I want to have my engagement ring sized up. (Married 1984)

It's been sitting in the safe for years because my finger is about two sizes larger now.

But I know that might not always be, so I wait to see if I will once again fit.

With the price of gold today, I'm wondering if I want to have it resized now, of if I should wait?

What to do???

Re: Resizing Your Engagement/Wedding Rings

Susan Louise — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 03:16:45 GMT

@timeless

Do you think you can commit to losing the weight and maintaining it? That will help you decide...

DH and I have each lost over 120lbs. and have kept it off since 2018 when we changed our lifestyle.

We now weigh less then even when we got married and the sizes we ordered were smaller than the originals too!

We had been wearing ring guards for a long time and even those weren't helpful anymore. DH lost his ring (fell off at some point when he was working outdoors...never found it) and we wound up getting a brand new set somewhat similar to our original pair from over 26 yrs ago. They were pricey...$2,500 for the pair of platinum/18k gold - got them last year.

Re: Resizing Your Engagement/Wedding Rings

rockygems123 — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 04:00:03 GMT

@timeless wrote:
I'm on the fence on whether or not I want to have my engagement ring sized up. (Married 1984)
It's been sitting in the safe for years because my finger is about two sizes larger now.
But I know that might not always be, so I wait to see if I will once again fit.
With the price of gold today, I'm wondering if I want to have it resized now, of if I should wait?
What to do???

@timeless

Depends on how much it means to you to wear it.

Re: Resizing Your Engagement/Wedding Rings

kaydee50 — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 05:03:33 GMT

I had both my engagement and wedding rings resized. I was unable to get them off so they had to be cut off. This was about 2 years ago. The rings are 18K and cost me $500 to go up 2 sizes. I wear both rings all the time so I'm happy I did it.

If your engagement ring has been sitting in the safe for years, I would consider selling it.

Re: Resizing Your Engagement/Wedding Rings

FancyPhillyshopper — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 05:28:08 GMT

I love jewelry!

I agree that resizing rings can be a risky business.

It is always easier to go down than go up.

Yes, the jeweler will have a maximum size limit they will attempt--I agree two sizes is pushing it.

First, they have to cut the gold and then "rebuild" the band.

If you have a complex setting, or many diamonds on the band, the prongs can loosen, and the stone setting structure could even collapse. Some jewelers are better at sizing than others--they have to repolish the cut line and blend it back into the band, and make it look seamless--not always that easy.

I know the bands have sentimental value, but if they have minimal jewelry value, or minimal gold weight, I would say do not bother with the process.

If you have a very nice engagement stone, it would be easier to have it reset into a new band.

If you have had the rings in a safe, then you could just keep them there to pass down, and purchase a brand new upgraded set.

Most women were married when they were younger girls, so their bones and skeletons may not have been fully developed. It is probably very doubtful that your finger will ever go back down to that size ever again, unless you gained a lot of weight and then were able to lose it all.

The purpose of jewelry should be to enjoy WEARING it!

Re: Resizing Your Engagement/Wedding Rings

ID2 — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 10:18:25 GMT

Someone suggested losing weight. I lost 70 lbs. several years ago but then and now I still wear the same ring size. Go figure.

Re: Resizing Your Engagement/Wedding Rings

4kitties — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 11:46:32 GMT

There are many reasons for a change in ring sizes. Arthritis is one. My best friend can no longer her wear her rings due to this. She is the same size she was in high school and has no weight issues

Re: Resizing Your Engagement/Wedding Rings

Shelbelle — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 13:28:56 GMT

I haver had mine sized up and down several times.

Re: Resizing Your Engagement/Wedding Rings

CelticCrafter — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 14:04:05 GMT

Who said anything about her gaining weight?

You perfect people, that weigh the perfect weight assume an awful lot...

Re: Resizing Your Engagement/Wedding Rings

We rescue cats — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 15:02:43 GMT

It all depends on the rings and the jeweler. I worked at a high-end jewelery store for a few years, they had several certified jewelers over the 4 stores and when presented with resizing or repairing diamond bands they called them in or sent the ring to one of those stores for an evaluation. They reset one of my diamond bands that had a few Asscher cut diamonds in it, I never thought it would be reset well-it is perfect. I'm sure you will find someone to do a great job for you!

Re: Resizing Your Engagement/Wedding Rings

qualitygal — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 16:07:09 GMT

Arthritis has changed my ring sizes too. Now I have a bunch I can't wear as often (rings). So update with a new set. Don't go too far out $$$$. On the other side that ring finger was broken, and now it doesn't always feel happy with the ring I wear. I'd shoot for earrings, &/or a necklace. Earrings safest in my book. As we age, they say our ears get longer (larger they say). So don't make those big and heavy. Gravity wins all the time.

Have a great day despite all this good news. LOL

Re: Resizing Your Engagement/Wedding Rings

BunSnoop — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 20:11:09 GMT

Over the past 3 years I've lost about 40 - 45 pounds. Prior to the weight loss I was unable to remove the rings on my fingers. I thought they would have to be cut off. After the weight loss I've been able to wear my rings again. I can put them on and take them off easily.

Re: Resizing Your Engagement/Wedding Rings

timeless — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 02:08:03 GMT

@Susan Louise DH lost his ring (fell off at some point when he was working outdoors...never found it)

How terrible! I assume you rented a metal detector?

I fully expect to lose weight as I age further, so that is why I'm condidering just leaving the ring as-is!

Beautiful new rings, btw. Love the two-tone look.

Hubby has a custom-made platinum and 18K wedding band that won't come off his finger! lol

Re: Resizing Your Engagement/Wedding Rings

timeless — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 02:16:18 GMT

@CelticCrafter

Who said anything about her gaining weight?

You perfect people, that weigh the perfect weight assume an awful lot...

Thank you for your defense on my behalf, but I have DEFINITELY gained weight the last 42 years!

Also, I have slightly enlarged knuckles now that make the ring difficult to slip on. (Another reason I'm hesitant to resize!)

What if I get a larger size to pass my knuckle and it spins around? I'd hate that!

Re: Resizing Your Engagement/Wedding Rings

timeless — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 02:23:23 GMT

@FancyPhillyshopper

I know the bands have sentimental value, but if they have minimal jewelry value, or minimal gold weight, I would say do not bother with the process.

If you have a very nice engagement stone, it would be easier to have it reset into a new band.

If you have had the rings in a safe, then you could just keep them there to pass down, and purchase a brand new upgraded set.

The ring has a sentimental diamond, but the setting, not-so-much. It's a designer setting, and after reading the other comments, I think it would be best left alone, or taken to the original designer to resize!

I'm also thinking of getting an upgrade to the diamond of my choice at the time of my engagement. It was beyond the budget at the time, but not now, so your thought aligning with mine!

I got married at 18, so you're correct on my size. My finger is no longer a teen's, and may never be again.

Re: Resizing Your Engagement/Wedding Rings

faeriemoon — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:25:24 GMT

If you can afford it why don't you have a whole new ring made with that diamond upgrade you mentioned?

The wedding/engagement ring threads are always fun to read because there are so many differing opinions here about the sentimental value of them. Some here have never taken their rings off, others wouldn't think of changing the ring that was given to them all those years ago, and others are open to anything. I fall in the latter group; I've changed my ring at least five times in these 43 years.

Re: Resizing Your Engagement/Wedding Rings

Luvitorleaveit1 — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 22:53:19 GMT

I was thinking about getting my engagement ring resized up 1/2 due to arthritis but thought I would work on losing weight first since the cold weather is approaching and my diamond sits high so I never wear it in the winter because I can't wear gloves. My wedding band still fits.