Yes, most traditional diamond engagement rings can be resized safely when approached correctly by an experienced jeweller
But resizing a diamond ring can involve more than simply making the band bigger or smaller.
When the circumference of a ring changes, it can also affect the settings that hold the diamonds.
This is especially important if your engagement ring has smaller diamonds set into the shoulders or around the band.
Before resizing, we need to consider both:
How to get the ring to the correct size
and
how to keep the diamonds secure.
Why Is Resizing a Diamond Ring Different?
With just a simple gold wedding band there is nothing to set or worry about losing or getting damaged
With an engagement ring there may be
a big central diamond,
lots of claws to hold that diamond in place,
smaller diamonds going along the shoulders,
pavé or grain set diamonds, channel set diamonds
or even a halo surrounding the central diamond,
All of these things have to be replaced or adjusted if you wish to change the ring in any way.
What Happens to the Diamonds When the Ring Is Resized?
Now imagine creating a ring much smaller.
As the circumference shrinks slightly, the shape of the ring will change slightly.
If diamonds are set down the shoulders, that can affect the metalwork around those stones,
as much as enlarging the ring can change the curve in the opposite direction.
That doesn't mean that the diamonds will become loose.
Just that a manufacturing jeweller needs to be aware of how that change in size will influence the whole ring when the job is being done.
Does The Centre Diamond Need To Be Removed?
Not necessarily.
Many engagement rings can be resized with the centre diamond safely in place.
Whether a stone needs to be removed depends on factors such as
what the ring is constructed of,
how it is being resized,
how much resizing needs to happen,
where the stones are,
how the setting is holding up,
and
what kind of gemstones have been used.
There is no one right way to resize every engagement ring.
The Stones Should Be Checked Before And After Resizing
That's why this is an important job.
Before resizing, we would want to check that none of the claws or settings were already worn down.
There is no point in blaming the resize job if the setting was damaged before the work had even started.
The stones should also be checked after resizing to make sure that they are secure.
If movement has occurred, the setting can be fixed before the ring is sent back to the customer.
Can An Old Engagement Ring Be Resized?
Frequently, yes.
In fact resizing inherited engagement rings is very common, as the ring has originally been made to fit someone else's finger.
However, an older engagement ring may also have suffered years of wear and tear.
Before resizing it, we would want to inspectÂ
- The shank
- The claws,
- The diamond settings,
- Previous repairs
- And the overall condition of the ring.
Sometimes the resize is straightforward.
Sometimes the inspection before resizing reveals another area that needs attention.
At The Jewellery Mechanic, we are manufacturing jewellers with over 35 years hands-on experience, so we will inspect the whole ring before deciding on the safest way to go about altering the size.
Which Diamond Engagement Rings Are Easiest and Hardest to Resize?
Not all diamond engagement rings are cut in the same way.
Some have a large area of plain metal at the bottom of the shank, giving the jeweller plenty of room to make alterations.
Others have diamonds and settings extending much further around the ring, which can make resizing more complicated.
Here's what makes the difference.
1. Solitaire Engagement Rings
A traditional solitaire ring with one centre diamond and a plain shank is often one of the more straightforward engagement ring designs to resize.
There is usually a good section of plain metal at the bottom of the ring where the alteration can be made.
However, the centre setting should still be checked before and after the resize.
If the ring is older, we'd also inspect the claws for wear at the same time.
2. Engagement Rings With Diamond-Set Shoulders
These can often still be safely resized, but attention must be paid to the amount of resizing being done.
Diamonds set into the shoulders mean that there is less plain metal available.
A substantial resizing can also alter the curve of the stone-set section.
The settings therefore need to be carefully examined after the ring has been altered.
3. Pavé and Grain-Set Diamond Rings
Where a number of small diamonds are set close together, the relationship between the stones and surrounding metal becomes particularly important.
Large alterations to the shape of the ring can potentially affect these settings.
This does not necessarily mean that it cannot be resized,
but that an assessment has to be made of the amount of alteration and construction required to the setting.
4. Channel-Set Diamond Rings
Channel-set diamonds are nestled between sections of metal, rather than being individually retained by claws as with traditional set rings
If the curve of the ring changes significantly, it stands to reason that this could affect the channel holding its diamonds
Again, smaller adjustments may be perfectly feasible, while larger alterations require more thought.
5. Halo Engagement Rings
A halo surrounding the centre diamond not necessarily a barrier to resizing, it's just a matter of how the halo and shoulders are fitted to the rest of the ring, and whether adjusting the size will put undue pressure on the setting.
The more complex the construction, the more crucial the initial examination is.
6. Rings With Diamonds Almost All the Way Around
Generally speaking, these present us with fewer straight forward options for resizing.
Should stones run around most of the circumference, there's very little bare shank to work with
And if the diamonds continue all the way 'round the clock', then you're looking at a full eternity-style construction.
These rings can require a much more special approach.
Does A Complicated Ring Mean It Can't Be Resized?
No
It just means that we shouldn't promise the resize until we've examined the ring.
Sometimes, a customer has previously been led to believe their engagement ring "can't be resized", when in reality, it can't be changed using a simple conventional method.
Depending on the value and significance of the ring, a manufacturing jeweller may be able to consider a more extensive alteration
But there are also situations where going to far in terms of size change could risk compromising the original design or settings
In which case, we'd rather explain the limitation, than perform a resize that could lead to problems later down the track.
The Amount of Resizing Matters
The same engagement ring might be relatively straight forward to alter by a small amount, but considerably more complex if it needs to stretch several sizes.
That's why there isn't a single answer based purely on the style of ring.
We need to know:
- What size is it now?
- What size does it need to become?
- Where are the diamonds?
- And in what condition are the settings?
Once we know that, we can decide how the ring can be resized in order to maintain the security of the diamonds.
Can Resizing Make the Diamonds Loose or Damage the Setting?
Potentially yes, which is why diamond set rings should be assessed for possible complications when resized
Changing the overall circumference of the ring will inevitably alter the shape to a small degree
which could loosen the setting if diamonds are set into the shoulders or band, affecting the metalwork holding the jewels in place.
This does not mean that the task itself is dangerous, just that the work settings should be taken into account as part of the job rather than leaving the shank a separate consideration from the rest of the ring.
Why This Happens
Consider a single row of side set diamonds that are incorporated within the shoulders of the engagement ring; were it to be made smaller, the curve of the section would tighten, while the opposite would happen should it be made larger.
Depending on the setting itself, an extreme example could push the surrounding metal against the jewels, loosening them from their places.
This is why a manufacturing jeweller should assess the piece for any diamonds that have begun to shift after the shank has been altered in size.
The Setting May Already Be Worn Before Resizing
This is especially applicable for old rings that have been worn every day, over decades
A ring that has been worn for 10, 20 or 30 years, is likely to have some issues going on with the setting long before we even get to the point of resizing it:
Worn claws,
thin settings,
loose stones,
old repairs,
a worn shank,
damage from another ring, which has been rubbing against it,
etc.
All these issues should be identified and resolved before resizing the ring to make sure that the work actually resolves the issue. Otherwise, a ring with a loose stone may present with the same issue after the resizing, while, in fact, the resizing made the problem worse. A thorough inspection is required to see what needs to be done.
What Needs To Be Done Next After Resizing?
Again, having the setting inspected is the first thing on the list. Once again, the centre diamond and its claws need to be examined, as well as smaller diamonds and/or other types of settings if the ring features any, such as pavé, grain, or channel. All these elements should be checked for any sign of loosening after the ring has been resized.
Will Resizing Damage My Centre Diamond?
With a properly assessed repair it aims to resize the ring to the desired size without harming the original diamond or gemstone.
Whether the centre stone is in place during the work depends on the construction of the ring, the type of stone and the method required.
Diamonds and coloured gemstones shouldn't automatically be treated in exactly the same way.
A manufacturing jeweller needs to know what is set in the ring and plan the repair accordingly.
What If a Diamond Is Already Loose?
If we find movement before resizing it should be dealt with as part of the overall repair.
To alter the finger size and ignore an insecure diamond would not make sense.
This is one of the advantages of looking at the whole ring (not just the shank).
Sometimes a customer sends a ring in because it's too large and the inspection reveals that one or more settings also require attention.
This gives us the opportunity to discuss the problem before the stone is lost.
A Safe Resize Protects More Than the Fit
For an engagement ring, getting the size right is only part of the job.
The finished ring also needs to be strong, correctly shaped and secure around the stones.
At The Jewellery Mechanic we inspect diamond-set rings before deciding how they should be resized and check the settings as part of the process.
The objective is simple:
Make the ring fit properly whilst keeping the diamonds safely where they belong.
What Should You Check Before Having a Diamond Ring Resized?
Before having an engagement ring resized, it's worth understanding more than just whether the ring is too big or too small.
Getting a good resizing job begins by looking at the condition of the complete ring.
Especially with an older engagement ring that's been worn every day for decades.
1. Make Sure You Know The Correct New Size
Sound obvious? Well, it is.
Your finger size can vary depending on the weather, time of the day and other factors.
If the ring only feels tight sometimes, don't be tempted to make it larger.
And if a top-heavy engagement ring is spinning slightly on your finger, making it significantly smaller might not be the right option.
You want a size that goes easily over your knuckle, feels comfortable, sits nicely on your finger, and doesn't have a chance to slip off your finger.
You want to get this right before altering the ring.
2. Check The Claws Around The Centre Diamond
If your engagement ring has a claw-set centre diamond, the claws should be checked.
Look out for:
Worn or flat claws
A claw that sits differently from the rest
Catch on clothes
Visible gaps
A diamond that clicks or moves
If the claws are badly worn, it may make sense to address this when the ring is in the workshop.
3. Check Smaller Diamonds in the Shoulders
Small shoulder diamonds can be easy to overlook.
But if the ring has been worn for years, their settings may also have worn.
Furthermore, as changing the ring size can affect the curvature of the shoulders, we need to know they're safe before the alteration is commenced.
They should then be checked again afterwards.
4. Inspect the Condition of the Shank
The underside of the ring can experience a great deal of wear and tear in everyday wear.
As such, the shank can become significantly thinner.
If the ring requires resizing and the shank is already impossibly worn, simply altering the existing, thin section may not yield the best results.
It may be better to rebuild worn sections while correcting the size.
This is especially common with older engagement and wedding rings.
5. Inform the Jeweller of Previous Repairs
If you know the ring has previously been:
- Resized
- Re-shanked
- Re-tipped
- Soldered
- Repaired after damage
Mention it.
Previous work doesn't necessarily prohibit further resizing, but it can help the jeweller know the history of the ring.
Even if you don't know its repair history, previous joins and alterations can often be discerned during inspection.
Don't Forget the Wedding Ring
If you normally wear your engagement ring next to a wedding or eternity ring, it's also worth checking whether the rings are rubbing together.
Years of metal rubbing against metal can wear:
The sides of the shank.
Claws.
Settings.
Decorative details.
If we're inspecting an engagement ring for resizing, it's a good opportunity to look for this sort of wear.
A Proper Inspection Can Prevent Problems Later
The best time to discover a worn claw or loose diamond isn't once the ring has been returned to your finger.
It's before the work begins.
When you bring the ring to The Jewellery Mechanic, we'll inspect the whole piece of jewellery rather than just checking your finger size.
This includes examining the:
- Shank.
- Centre setting.
- Claws.
- Shoulder stones.
- Previous repairs.
- And how much resizing will be needed.
We can then explain what will need to be done before the work commences.
This way you can be confident that the rings you value most have been given extra scrutiny. Particularly in the case of an important engagement ring.
Frequently Asked Questions About Resizing Diamond Engagement Rings
Can a diamond engagement ring be resized?
Most traditional diamond engagement ring designs can be resized.
Whilst the job can be relatively straight forward, the complexity of the work can be dictated by the design, the change in size and the location of the diamonds.
A simple solitaire with a plain shank is usually easier the a similar style with diamonds extending around the band.
Can resizing cause the diamonds to come loose?
Potentially.
Resizing a ring can impact the structure and integrity of the setting so it's always a good idea to check the security of the diamonds and their settings both before and after the resizing work has been done.
Does the centre diamond have to be removed?
Not necessarily.
Many styles of engagement ring can be resized with the centre diamond mounted in place.
Whether stones have to be removed or not can depend on the construction of the ring, the resizing method, the change in size and the types of stones used.
Can a ring with diamonds in the shoulders be resized?
Many can, though the further around the band the diamonds extend, the more care has to be taken when resizing.
A change in size can impact the curve of the stone set shoulders and so any diamonds in the shoulders should also be checked to ensure their security.
Can an old diamond engagement ring be resized?
In many cases yes.
Though older rings should also be checked for worn claws, weak shanks, loose stones and previous repairs before deciding if and how it can be resized.
Sometimes resizing an inherited engagement ring can be a good opportunity to address other areas of wear before the ring goes back into everyday use.
Can a diamond ring be resized several sizes?
It's possible, though there is no hard and fast rule as it can depend on the design and construction of the ring.
A solitaire engagement ring with a substantial plain shank is likely to take a bigger change in size than a heavily set design.
Will I be able to see where my engagement ring was resized?
On a suitable design that has been professionally resized, the altered section should be indistinguishable from the rest of the shank.
Previous repairs, wear, engraving or unusual finishes can of course affect the end result.
Get Your Diamond Engagement Ring Assessed
If your diamond engagement ring is too tight, too loose or just not sitting comfortably, before assuming the ring is forever too big or too small remember that it's very likely the ring can be resized.
However with a diamond set ring we'll always look at more than just the ring size, we want to know if the claws are secure and the smaller diamonds are also held firmly in place, if the shank is strong enough and if the ring has been repaired before.
We'll also consider how changing the size of the ring will impact the security of the settings.
Once we've answered these questions we'll be able to advise what options you have to resize your engagement ring.
Need Your Diamond Engagement Ring Resized?
At The Jewellery Mechanic your jewellery is worked on in house by our experienced manufacturing jewellers.
With over 35 years experience working with fine Jewellery The Jewellery Mechanic can resize and repair a range of different styles of engagement rings from simple solitaire designs to more complex diamond set rings.
We'll be able to assess your ring before we carry out the resizing work and advise you on what needs to be done.
The aim is not just to resize your engagement ring, it's to make sure it fits but also to protect your ring and the diamonds that matter to you.
👉 Get an engagement ring resizing quote from The Jewellery Mechanic
