Ring Guide
Can a Ring Be Resized Up or Down?
A ring's size can usually be changed by one or two sizes, but not on every style. We explain which rings can be adjusted and how the work is done.
4 min readUpdated: October 7, 2026
Short answer: Yes, most rings can be made a size or two bigger or smaller. Plain bands and solitaires are the easiest to adjust. With designs such as full eternity rings, where the stones wrap all the way around, resizing is usually not possible, so getting the size right from the start is the safest way. During resizing the stones are protected, and if necessary they are removed and re-set.
How is a ring resized?
Making it smaller
A small piece is cut from the bottom of the ring (the part facing the palm), the ends are soldered together, and the surface is filed smooth and polished. In a well-done resizing, the joint cannot be seen.
Making it bigger
For a small increase the band can be stretched; for more, the bottom is cut and a piece of gold of the same purity is added. Then it is soldered, filed and polished. On white gold rings the rhodium plating is renewed after the work. What is rhodium plating?
By how many sizes can it change?
A change of one or two sizes can usually be made without harming the ring’s structure. Bigger changes can affect the band’s proportions, the stones’ prongs and durability; in that case, making the ring again may be the better choice.
Which rings are hard or impossible to resize?
| Ring | Resizing |
|---|---|
| Plain band | Easy |
| Solitaire | Usually easy |
| Half eternity, five-stone | Possible; the lower half is plain gold |
| Halo, pavé band | With care; the small stones must be protected |
| Full eternity | Usually not possible |
| Patterned or engraved all the way round | The pattern can be disturbed |
Why can a full eternity ring not be resized? · Half eternity ring.
Keeping the stones safe
During resizing the band is heated and changes shape slightly, which can affect the prongs holding the stones. A skilled jeweller protects the stones during the work, or removes them and re-sets them afterwards if necessary. Checking every prong after the work is essential. A diamond is very hard, but it should be protected from direct high heat and knocks. Can a diamond break?
Getting the size right from the start is always better. If you are unsure of the size for a surprise proposal, having the solitaire made slightly big is easier; making a ring smaller is a simpler job than making it bigger. Ways to measure correctly at home: ring size.
Solutions without resizing
- Slightly loose: small beads or an inner ring added inside the ring reduce spinning on the finger.
- Seasonal change: fingers swell in summer and slim down in winter. If the size is a problem in only one season, watch it for a few weeks before changing it.
- Another finger: a ring that is a little loose sometimes fits the next finger perfectly.
Before resizing
Before deciding to resize, wear the ring for a few days at different times; a ring that feels tight in the morning may fit perfectly in the afternoon. When setting the new size, use the middle between the knuckle and the base of the finger. If it is a stone-set ring, also have the stones and prongs checked before the change; a prong that is already weak can loosen further during resizing.
Frequently asked questions
Usually a ring can be enlarged by one or two sizes without harming its structure. For more, the ring’s condition needs to be looked at. Usually not. Because there are stones all around the band, it cannot be cut and extended; so with a full eternity ring the size must be right from the start. Resizing done with skilled workmanship does not damage the ring; polishing makes the joint invisible. With stone-set rings, the prongs need to be checked. The rhodium plating is renewed after the work, and the ring returns to its first-day whiteness.By how many sizes can a ring be enlarged?
Can a full eternity ring be enlarged?
Does making a ring smaller damage it?
What happens when a white gold ring is resized?
Blog
Keep reading
Ring Guide
Ring Design: Design Your Own Solitaire in 4 Steps
Designing your own ring is easier than you think: shape, carat, gold colour and quality. We explain how to design your solitaire in four…
4 min read
Ring Guide
Solitaire Ring Styles: 8 Setting Types and How They Differ
The same stone looks completely different in a different setting. We explain eight solitaire styles, from four and six prongs to halo, pavé and…
4 min read
Ring Guide
Emerald Cut Solitaire: The Elegance of a Step Cut
The emerald cut is a step cut that shows off clarity and depth more than sparkle. We explain why clarity matters so much and…
3 min read
Ring Guide
Pear Cut Diamond: A Buying Guide
The pear cut is a teardrop-shaped diamond, like a blend of a round and a marquise. We explain which way it is worn, the…
4 min read