Let’s say you’ve got a ring—an engagement ring, a wedding band, a signet ring, heck, even a diamond ring—and you’re dying to wear it, but it’s not the correct size. In fact, it’s way too big! So how are you supposed to wear it? Is there a way to make a big ring fit?
Maybe you bought the wrong size. Maybe you’ve lost some weight. Or maybe you acquired the ring from someone with a large knuckle and thick finger 😉
Whatever the reason, there are ways to get your ring to fit (without going through a permanent ring resizing procedure, if you’re avoiding that).
So if your ring keeps spinning or falling off your finger, here are a few techniques and products you can use when figuring out how to wear a ring that is too big.
How To Make a Big Ring Fit Better: A Few DIY Solutions
Sometimes, you want to have an impermanent, do-it-yourself solution that’s affordable and easy. Here are a handful of techniques to try (or products you may want to buy that will solve your problem).
The Rubber Band Wrap
A truly DIY, albeit kinda janky, way to make your ring fit is to use a rubber band. Ideally, a thin, transparent one, or one that is close to your skin tone, so it’s not obvious you’re using a rubber band to fit your ring to your finger.
There are two ways you could go about this.
Method 1: You could use a tiny, transparent rubber band that will go on your finger, under the ring.
The thickness of the clear rubber band will make up for the space between the ring and your finger. You’ll have to make sure the rubber band isn’t too tight of a squeeze on your finger, since that can be painful and prevent blood circulation.
Method 2: You could take a rubber band and wrap it around the bottom of your ring (the portion that sits closest to your palm).
You’ll have to find the right size rubber band. If it’s too long, the excess would need to be cut off. Otherwise, it would stick out and be uncomfortable and unsightly and people will think you’re weird.
So there we go, two ways you could use a rubber band to make your ring fit. It depends on the type of rubber band you have, and the amount of thickness you need.
Candle Wax (or Glue)
Another method is to use candle wax. A slightly messier method, yes, but there’s also a good chance you have a candle laying around. So if you’re in a pinch, you may want to try this.
Essentially you light a candle, and when the wax starts to melt, carefully drip the wax onto the interior bottom of the ring. Let it completely dry, and then put your ring on. Simple!
Obviously, this will take some guesstimation, but do your best.
In my experience, it’s best to add more wax than less. You can always shave away the excess dried wax, but it’s more difficult to add on wax after a layer has already dried. It doesn’t maintain it’s solid, one-piece state as easily.
Liquid glue is another option people have used and documented on the internet. I guess this could work, too, but seems even messier due to the stickiness factor. And it could potentially ruin the finish of your ring, depending on the ring’s material.
If you want to try this, squeeze a generous strip of glue directly (and carefully) onto the inside of the band. Let it dry completely, then wear.
My advice, though, is if you’re gonna go with one of these options, stick to candle wax. I’ve done it several times and it works like a charm.
Clear Nail Polish
Nail polish can be very effective for rings that are only slightly loose on your finger. If you’re going with this method, you’re better off using clear nail polish so it isn’t as obvious.
Yes, it’s another quick drying liquid that solidifies after drying, but you may be limited to how thick of a coating this method will produce, so try it out and see if it’s enough to fill the gap.
The key is to apply a thin coat on the inner ring shank. Keep applying until a layer starts to build up.
Just like with candle wax, this is a very temporary solution. Nail polish doesn’t last long, especially if it’s under constant contact and friction every day.
Dental Floss (or Fishing Line, or Thread)
Ever think you’d use floss to fit a ring? If you have some dental floss, thread, or fishing line lying around, you may be able to use it to make your ring fit tighter.
The idea is to wrap whichever thin string-like element you’re using around the bottom, palm-adjacent portion of the ring, going around as many times as you need until you get a perfect fit.
In my experience, floss seems to be the best option. If you use a standard, no frills version with a wax coating, it may be toothy enough (pun intended) to hold onto itself as you wrap it.
Side note: avoid getting your ring wet. This method will most likely unravel, especially since it’s not as easy to securely tie the floss (or thread, or fishing line).
Ring Size Adjuster
Let’s face it. Our fingers can go through size fluctuations throughout the months and years. Maybe in the summer months, your fingers are bigger because it’s hot out and your skin holds more moisture. In the winter, you have the opposite problem.
So how are you supposed to wear a ring that’s only one size? It’ll only fit some of the time, not all the time.
A transparent ring size adjuster is a great temporary solution, and probably the cleanest and most streamlined among all the DIY options we’ve presented.
This ring size adjuster will make your ring smaller without permanent resizing. Works on men's and women's rings.
They’re readily available on Amazon—I’ve linked to one above—but you could do a Google search and see who else offers ring size adjusters.
Simply fit and twist this easy-to-use ring adjuster around the bottom of the ring. It’s like a spring insert, or those bouncy cords on old school telephones. Use it when you need a bit more snugness between your ring and your finger, and take it off when you don’t need it. Perfect!
Ring Guards
Here’s another, more dialed-in way to keep your ring secure. Ring guards are hardly noticeable, they come in a number of sizes, and you can find them at some department stores (and of course, Amazon).
Eletiuo Ring Guards create a custom fit on most ring styles, suitable for men's and women's rings.
These are made from metal and take a bit more finesse to install (you’ll need needle nose pliers), but you by no means have to be a professional jeweler.
This set comes with step-by-step installation instructions. When you’re done, you’ll have a perfectly fitted ring. No one will have the slightest clue you have a ring guard on, unless you tell them!
Bonus: if you order this specific pack, it also has the twisty ring size adjusters we discussed in the previous section. It’s a two-in-one solution so you have exactly what you need.
Semi-Permanent and Permanent Options For Resizing Rings
Metal Sizing Beads (Semi-Permanent)
For this method, little metal beads are polished into a circular shape before a jeweler welds them into the ring.
Different sizes of metal beads can be added for an even bigger reduction in ring size. This is a semi-permanent solution that doesn’t move around (since it’s attached to the ring).
Ring sizing beads are round balls made from precious metals that are added in the inside of a ring to decrease the inner circumference. It's a great alternative to size a ring down without having to cut and re-solder the ring.
A jeweler is able to remove the beads as needed, without any damage to the ring. This is a great option, but of course may cost a bit more than the temporary solutions outlined here (and is more of a time commitment, since you have to visit a jeweler).
Resizing By a Professional Jeweler (Permanent)
If you’re not up for a do-it-yourself method, or you want something that will last forever, then you’ll want to visit your local jeweler. Jewelry stores usually offer ring resizing services. Typically, a ring can be enlarged or made smaller, up to two sizes.
A professional will simply cut out a piece of the ring, solder the two exposed ends together, reshape it into a perfect circle, and polish it up when done. Or, in the opposite case, cut the ring and add more metal to make the circumference larger.
Your final price for a professional ring resizing will depend on your jeweler’s fee, plus the cost of the extra precious metal used (if any).
Considering permanently resizing your rings? Some things to know.
Be aware of these things before having your ring resized by a professional jeweler.
When your ring is cut and resized, the metal will lose some of its structural integrity.
So if the ring holds significant meaning, is an antique family heirloom, or is simply an expensive piece of jewelry, spare no expense, do your research, and only work with a reliable and trustworthy jeweler.
It goes without saying, but next time you’re in the market for a ring, make sure it’s a perfect fit from the very beginning so you can avoid having to resize it at all. A good rule of thumb regarding fit: Aim for something that needs just a bit of a squeeze to get past the knuckle, and you’re good to go.
By the way, while almost all rings can be resized, stainless steel rings cannot typically be resized. That’s because these are incredibly strong metals with high melting points, and most jewelers don’t have the equipment needed to work with these metals.
Same goes for titanium rings, to an extent. One, it depends which tools the jeweler has on hand. Two, the easiest way to enlarge a titanium ring would be to shave the interior of the band to make more room for your finger. And if the ring is too big, jewelers can add a liner to make it more snug. Patrick Adair designs does a good job of explaining this process.
After considering your permanent ring resizing options, you may want to go the simpler route and give one of our temporary, DIY methods a try! I personally would recommend trying the ring guard and / or ring size adjusters first and see if that works well enough.
We hope this was helpful!
If you’ve had a ring you love but was always too big, hopefully you’ve found a few helpful solutions in this article.
Give some of the temporary DIY methods at home first, and then decide if you need to go further, like with the semi-permanent ring sizing beads, or getting your ring fully resized by a professional jeweler.
Which techniques are you going to try? DM us on Instagram to let us know!