With something as important and costly as an engagement ring, you will want to not take a gamble when it comes to your measurements. There are certain things you can do yourself so you can begin your search before even going to a professional jeweller.
If you want that peace of mind, you can always book an appointment or walk into a jeweller’s store. This article will give you some solid alternatives however that can help you gain clarification on your ring size. With so many possible and international size distinctions, a bit of guidance can go a long way.
Here are some top tips for getting the size correct:
- Get some floss or a small string and tie it around the bottom part of your finger.
- Mark where the string joins with a biro
- Then once you have the right length, use a ruler and measure in millimetres
- Select the nearest measurement to this chart you can find here from GIA
Remember to do the following for a perfect measurement:
- Ensure your knuckle doesn’t get in the way and leave enough room so it doesn’t affect the measurement
- Remember that your fingers on each hand may differ in diameter so it’s good to measure your specific ring finger.
- Wait until the day ends to do the measurement to get the most accurate size possible and don’t do it after exercise when the fingers tend to sweat and expand a little.
Want to get it measured professionally?
If you want to know what to expect when you go to the jewellers, they will normally use gauges that will accurately gage your fingers size. They are normally separated by whole and half measurements/sizes. The narrow-finger sizes can be measured with the smaller gauges and these are fit for solitaire engagement rings or smaller bands with a narrow diameter (roughly 4 mm).
The jeweller will then match the ring gauge to your finger until the right fit is achieved. They will also ask you whether the fit is comfortable and gives your finger enough breathing room. You won’t want it to get too tight but don’t want it too loose to increase the risk of it falling off either.
Top Tip: Don’t measure when getting out of the bath or after you have just come in from the cold. Wait until your body has settled to a steady body temperature and then you will get the most accurate ring measurement. The aim is to get the ring fitting over the knuckle but not loose enough it will move around. These are some good guidelines to follow in general when you are measuring your ring finger. Whether you get it done professionally or want to take a stab yourself, follow these guidelines to get an accurate measurement.
