Resizing UP

timeless · ‎02-18-2022

I have been a lover of jewelry for years and have many rings I bought when gold prices were around $300 an ounce.

Fast forward, and my menopausal fingers are about two sizes larger. I can't wear my pretties.

I have some I love and would wear often; however others, I don't like so much.

So, here is my question...

If you were in my situation, would you sell off the ones you don't like to raise money to resize the ones you do, or keep all of them no matter what?

Gold, (and silver) seem to have become an asset and so I'm confilicted on whether or not to sell now.

FancyPhillyshopper · ‎05-02-2017

I also used to buy a lot of gold jewelry when the price was low--I even used to gift gold jewelry to everyone. I would get fabulous bargains at the three different QVC outlets, as well from the TV.

However, these days gold jewelry seems to have become a real luxury!

A while back I got rid of most of my 10K jewelry (much from HSN), and lately I have also started reducing some of the rest of my collection.

My goal these days is to only buy items I really, really like and want, and they should be an UPGRADE to what I already own.

I also say, if I have to squint now to see the diamonds/stones, it is time to pass the items forward.

So, life is too short not to wear what you love--yes, do the resizing, yes, sell what you no longer wear or want. I take some photos, but after a while I realize I do not miss the items that much.

Now, if there is sentimentality attached to a piece (gift from a family member, keepsake, etc.), that may be a different situation.

Best wishes!

AuntMame · ‎10-16-2010

Before making any decisions @timeless I would get estimates on resizing the rings you love. And I would get estimates for selling the rings you don't love--not from jewelry stores, but from metals dealers with a reputation for giving good prices. Jewelry stores always give pitiable low prices for gold.

You may find that resizing the rings will be very pricey because when a ring is sized up more than a size or size-and-a-half they usually need to add gold.

I sold a couple 14K rings a year ago and didn't get much for them because the rings were small and thin and didn't have much gold.

I think gold prices will continue to rise, so you may want to hold out for a bit.

rockygems123 · ‎06-04-2012

@timeless

Here in Denver the scrap gold and silver dealers are overwhelmed with metals and no where to melt as refineries are backlogged.

Have heard it's the same situation across the country.

Still wouldn't hurt to get an estimate on the wait time and what they're willing to pay.

Buy and wear what you love.

Sakuya · ‎02-15-2011

You may get a better price on ebay.

kaydee50 · ‎02-07-2011

I would sell the ones I don't like and resize the ones I do. DH sold 2 rings that were 10K and got $600 for them, way more than he expected. I had 3 rings resized, 2 were 18 carat gold for a total of $500, well worth it to me.

kitcat51 · ‎09-15-2016

Try taking your rings & the gold you can part with to a jeweler, they can buy the gold & use it to resize your rings...I did this when my favorite puffed gold heart was crushed, the gold covered the cost of making the heart & I got some money too.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@timeless wrote:
I have been a lover of jewelry for years and have many rings I bought when gold prices were around $300 an ounce.

Fast forward, and my menopausal fingers are about two sizes larger. I can't wear my pretties.

I have some I love and would wear often; however others, I don't like so much.

So, here is my question...

If you were in my situation, would you sell off the ones you don't like to raise money to resize the ones you do, or keep all of them no matter what?

Gold, (and silver) seem to have become an asset and so I'm confilicted on whether or not to sell now.

@timeless

Are you assuming that your current ring size won't increase, and the rings you re-size will still fit in a few years?

What if they don't?

My mistake ....

I had several gorgeous right-hand rings... you know what I mean. Size 7. Loved them but noticed they were getting tighter. I decided to start wearing lovely bracelets. I found that bracelets don't have the sizing problem we encounter with rings.

I also bought a couple of really nice rings in size 8, and that worked ... for a while.

Now, my knuckles have gotten a smidge bigger. Guess what?

The actual ring size is still size 8, but my knuckle is now a size 9 and the newer rings no longer slide over the knuckle.

In retrospect, I would have gone with knock-out bracelets sooner .... but who knows how much fingers will swell with age?

Hope this helps.

AuntMame · ‎10-16-2010

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@timeless wrote:
I have been a lover of jewelry for years and have many rings I bought when gold prices were around $300 an ounce.

Fast forward, and my menopausal fingers are about two sizes larger. I can't wear my pretties.

I have some I love and would wear often; however others, I don't like so much.

So, here is my question...

If you were in my situation, would you sell off the ones you don't like to raise money to resize the ones you do, or keep all of them no matter what?

Gold, (and silver) seem to have become an asset and so I'm confilicted on whether or not to sell now.

@timeless

Are you assuming that your current ring size won't increase, and the rings you re-size will still fit in a few years?

What if they don't?

My mistake ....

I had several gorgeous right-hand rings... you know what I mean. Size 7. Loved them but noticed they were getting tighter. I decided to start wearing lovely bracelets. I found that bracelets don't have the sizing problem we encounter with rings.

I also bought a couple of really nice rings in size 8, and that worked ... for a while.

Now, my knuckles have gotten a smidge bigger. Guess what?

The actual ring size is still size 8, but my knuckle is now a size 9 and the newer rings no longer slide over the knuckle.

In retrospect, I would have gone with knock-out bracelets sooner .... but who knows how much fingers will swell with age?

Hope this helps.

I noticed this with my mom as she aged. Her ring size increased slightly by a mere size or two, but her knuckles grew to be huge. I think she was ultimately a size 4 but with her knuckles she needed a size 6-7 at the very least to get them on and off. When she wore the rings, they slid all around on her narrow fingers like hula-hoops. It caused me to rethink resizing my own rings as I grow older. I decided not to resize any of my rings in the future except for my wedding and engagement rings.

That's an excellent idea to go bigger into bracelets than rings as one ages!