How Should My Engagement Ring Fit? Top Tips To Make Sure Your Ring Fits Perfectly

Buying an engagement ring can be a confusing time. There are so many things to consider, from the quality to the setting to, perhaps most importantly, the size. Here at JQ Diamonds, we’ve helped thousands of couples find engagement and wedding rings that are a perfect fit for them, and in this comprehensive guide, you’ll find advice on how to determine the perfect engagement ring size for you or your partner.

The best route to follow when it comes to getting the most accurate ring size is to visit a jeweller and get measured in person. At our showroom in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, our team of experts have all the equipment necessary to accurately measure your ring size.

The most efficient way to measure your ring size at home is by using a measuring tape and taking your ring finger's measurement in millimetres (mm). Then take this measurement and match it up with the closest size on our ring size chart, But if you don't have a measuring tape handy, you can also follow the simple guide below.  

1. Wrap a piece of string or paper around the base of the finger you want to measure. Mark the point where the end meets the string with a marker or pen 
2. Measure the distance between the end of the string or paper and the mark you made in millimetres (mm).
3. Match this measurement up with the closest size on our ring size chart.

Our fingers can shrink by up to half a size when we’re cold, so make sure the temperature is right before taking your ring size measurements!

Nighttime is when our fingers are largest, so this is a perfect time to take your measurements.

Double and triple-checking, while following the two tips above, will only increase your confidence in your work, and can help guarantee that you’ve got the correct ring size. 

A ring that fits perfectly will slide smoothly down your finger and over your knuckles without having to be forced. It should fit snugly at the bottom of your finger without squeezing or feeling too tight. Once it's on, you should be able to feel the band touching every part of your skin. It should also be secure enough on your finger that have to apply a slight pressure when taking it off again. It's important to note that it's normal for your engagement ring to be easier to put on than it is to take off – especially when you try to take it off in the morning after wearing it overnight, or when you attempt to remove it after consuming alcohol or travelling. This is because sleeping, drinking, and flying are all activities that can cause a build-up of fluid in the fingers resulting in temporary swelling.

An engagement ring may fit tighter than you're used to, and this is typically a good thing because it reduces the chances of your ring slipping off your finger and getting lost in the hustle and bustle of daily wear. If you think your engagement ring is too tight, it's a good idea to give it about a month or so to see if all you needed was some time to get used to it. 

Of course, it's possible that your engagement ring is just too tight and does need to be resized. The main sign that this might be the case is if your engagement ring creates an indent on your finger that is noticeable when you remove it. In this case, it's important to get your ring resized as this can cause discomfort and even circulation issues over time.

Women’s engagement ring sizes usually fall within a range from L to N, while the most common men's ring size is a T.

If you’re planning a special surprise for your loved one, you might be wondering how to find out their ring size without tipping them off.  

The best way to go about this is by measuring a ring they already wear that fits them perfectly. You’ll need to be careful to make sure this is a ring they typically wear on their ring finger. All you need to do is take a ruler and measure the ring straight across the centre from edge to edge. You can also bring the ring to a jeweller who can then use it to determine what their ring size is.

If your significant other doesn’t usually wear rings, we recommend enlisting the help of friends and family. They may already know your partner’s ring size, or, if they don’t, should better be able to find out this information without your partner becoming suspicious. A friend of your partner’s could suggest your partner try on a ring of theirs to see if it fits, which would then allow you to measure your partner’s ring size. 

You might still be concerned about your ring not fitting quite right once you have it on. We understand how worrying this may be, which is why we offer complimentary engagement resizing with each engagement ring purchase. What this means is that we will size your ring one or two sizes up or down, depending on your needs.

The possibility of resizing your ring depends on many factors, such as the rings design and how many sizes up or down you plan to go. 

When a ring is sized down, material is taken out of the ring and when a ring is sized up, material is added to the ring. Because of this, some engagement rings can be more difficult to resize than others. For example, eternity bands have stones accenting the entire shank, which makes them far more difficult to resize than a solitaire engagement ring. The best thing to do if you're thinking about a resizing is visit us in-store so that we can discuss your needs and whether a resizing will be possible.