How tight should an engagement ring fit?

If you've landed on this page, it probably means you've already found your true love and are now looking for your ideal engagement ring - but how do you achieve the perfect fit? Read on for our expert tips on finding the best engagement ring fit.

An engagement ring needs to fit perfectly; after all, it's one of the most important pieces of jewellery you will own. In all the heady drama of choosing a ring, it's easy to forget about ring size. But from the moment you put it on, the fit is one of those things – you just know when it's right, and you definitely know when it isn't.

A loose ring will slip from your finger, or spin and catch on objects, which could lead to damage, or worse still, lost. But on the other hand, a tight ring is uncomfortable and irritating to wear. We all have different fingers, so there are things you need to know about how tight an engagement ring should fit your particular hands and your particular ring. Follow our guide below on what you can do to get the perfect fit or how to fix it if your ring is the wrong size.

How Is Your Engagement Ring Supposed To Fit?

An engagement ring should be snug enough that the diamond remains centred on the left ring finger but loose enough to twist with only a little friction. You should need a little force to remove the ring backwards over your knuckle – so it is easier to put on than take off. 

What Factors Affect The Ring Size?

Let's explore some of the factors that will affect the size of your ring:

The size of your knuckles can impact the size of engagement rings. Some people's knuckles are much larger than the base of their finger, which means the ring will move around a little because it must be big enough to get over the knuckle. If you experience this, don't worry - the ring won't fall off. In this case, it's important not to choose a size that's too big.

On the other hand, people with smaller knuckles need naturally tighter rings. But how do you know when it's too tight? If your ring is creating a permanent indent on your finger, that is a sign it's too tight and needs to be re-sized.

Fingers swell and shrink depending on temperature, season, water retention and even stress. This is totally normal and means that your finger size can be larger and smaller throughout the course of a day. If you wear your ring to bed and can't get it off in the morning – that's normal. The same if your ring feels a little tighter after exercise, travelling or even drinking alcohol.

Finally, the ring shape can also affect how it fits. For example, those with wider knuckles might benefit from an engagement ring with accent stones as they add a little more weight, allowing the ring to feel more balanced and secure on the base of your finger. It will be less likely to twist around. Those with shorter fingers might opt for a narrower band with an elongated stone shape to help create balance on their finger. 

What If My Ring Size Changes?

Your ring size is not likely to change significantly throughout the course of your life, so it is unlikely your ring size will need to be adjusted. However, if your ring size does change for any reason, this is no problem. You can easily get your ring sized up or down accordingly.

Is It Better To Size Up Or Down?

As we're all unique and have different finger shapes and sizes, it's safe to say most of us don't fit into an exactly-sized ring. If you're in between, you may wonder whether you should size up or size down.

Our advice is to wear your ring for a little while and take note of how it feels; then, your ring fit decision will align with whether your ring is moving around a lot or feeling too tight on your finger. As fingers naturally swell, it is important to wear it throughout the course of the day.

It's also important to know that sizing down is generally easier than sizing up. To make a ring smaller, the jeweller heats up, cuts off a small piece of the band, and then welds the ring back together. Sizing up is a little more involved as the jeweller needs to find the metal of the same tone, expand the ring, and then solder it back together. The sizing-up process can be almost impossible if you opt for engraving or added jewels in the band – so if you're in doubt when buying the ring, it may pay to size up.

How To Size Your Finger:

If you don't know how to measure your finger, a few online tools can help you do it at home and you can also request one of our home sizing kits (contact us). Alternatively, using a trained eye, a classic ring mandrel (a conical sizing tool), and a professional sizing chart, Alicia J can tell you what your ideal ring size is during a physical consultation.

Alicia J top tipIf you're measuring your finger from home, try ring-sizing your finger around the middle of the day. You want your body temperature to be normal and natural, as this will give you the most accurate comfortable fit.

Let us help find you an engagement ring that fits perfectly. With our expert advice at your fingertips, we’re confident that shopping for an engagement ring will be enjoyable and joyful, with no unnecessary stress.

Email enquiries@aliciajdiamonds.com.

WITH LOVE

Alicia J Diamonds

Ring Sizing FAQs:

We've done our best to try and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about ring sizing below:

Often, a ring spinning on the finger can be a sign that your ring is too large. The perfect ring style and fit should be loose enough to twist with only a little friction. Otherwise, you are at risk of losing or misplacing the ring.

Ideally, a ring should not be either. It should be loose enough to not leave indent marks on your finger but twist with a little wiggle room. A ring sizer will consider the shape of your hands, the structure and other factors to determine the perfect fit for your ring.

You are not recommended to resize an engagement or wedding ring multiple times. This is because the band will become weaker in the area where it has been resized