Ring Resizing – Prices and Guide
This guide has been prepared by the Kulta-Aika goldsmith team. We handle hundreds of rings annually, from heirloom jewelry to valuable diamond rings. We guarantee a safe and durable resizing of your jewelry without visible seams.
Is your wedding ring uncomfortably tight, difficult to remove, or won't fit on your finger at all? Finger size fluctuates with age, seasons, and even time of day. Ring resizing is a very common and safe goldsmith service that brings your important piece of jewelry back into use. At Kulta-Aika, our skilled goldsmiths carefully resize rings by hand.
How is a ring resized? Stretching vs. adding a piece
The resizing technique is always chosen based on the ring's band thickness, material, and design. In most cases, ring resizing is done using one of the following methods:
1. Ring stretching (small size changes)
Enlarging a ring by stretching is a quicker and slightly more affordable procedure. Ring stretching is usually possible if the ring is unadorned and smooth (like a traditional engagement ring), the amount to be enlarged is small (less than one size), and the ring's band is strong enough. A very thin ring cannot be stretched, as gold or silver can become too thin and break.
2. Adding a piece (larger size increases and rings with stones)
When a ring needs to be significantly enlarged or has set gemstones (such as diamond rings), the enlargement is done by adding entirely new material to the ring's band. The goldsmith cuts open the ring's band at the bottom, solders in a piece of gold or silver of the correct carat and shade, and finally grinds and polishes the seam until it is completely invisible. For rings with stones, this is the only correct method to ensure that the settings do not distort and the stones do not fall out.
Please note the materials: Yellow gold, white gold, and silver rings are easy to resize by a goldsmith. However, steel, titanium, or zirconium rings cannot be resized due to their hardness and melting points.
Ring resizing price list and duration
The price of ring resizing varies greatly depending on the complexity of the work and the material used (silver, yellow gold, white gold). Resizing a plain ring is considerably more affordable than resizing a complex, stone-set eternity ring.
| Service | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| Silver ring enlargement by stretching | from 40 € |
| Silver ring enlargement (adding a piece) | from 50 € |
| Gold ring enlargement by stretching | from 40 € |
| Gold ring enlargement (adding a piece) | from 90 € |
| White gold ring enlargement + new rhodium plating | from 120 € (Ask for exact price) |
| Renewal of old engraving during work | approx. 15 € |
Our goldsmith collects your ring from our store and works on it in their own workshop. Depending on the quality and quantity of work, your resized ring will be available for pickup in about a week. In our store, our professionals will assess the workload and always provide a free price estimate beforehand.
Bring your ring to our experts:
- Ring resizing Helsinki – Kulta-Aika Kamppi (Kamppi Shopping Centre)
- Ring resizing Vantaa – Kulta-Aika Tammisto (Säätökuja 2B)
Checklist: What to consider when choosing a new size?
A ring that's too tight is uncomfortable, but a ring that's too loose can be annoying when it spins on your finger. Our salespeople can help measure the correct ring size with sizers, but the final decision is always yours, as only you know how the ring truly feels. Keep these in mind when resizing your ring:
- Temperature greatly affects it: In Finland, fingers are considerably thinner in winter than in summer heat. Measure your finger at a normal temperature. If we enlarge the ring to "heatwave measurements," it might slip off your finger in winter's cold.
- Difference in finger size: Right-handed people usually have right-hand fingers about half a size larger than the corresponding fingers on the left hand. Always measure the specific finger the ring will be worn on.
- Ring band width: A wider ring always feels tighter on the finger than a thin ring. If the ring to be enlarged is 6 mm wide, the size should also be checked with a wide sizer.
- Patterns and engravings: If the ring's surface has a special cut or pattern, when a piece is added, the seam might remain visible and smooth on the bottom of the ring. An internal engraving might be cut at the point of the added piece, but it can be re-engraved during the work.
The image shows a ring size conversion chart (inner diameter and finger circumference). The most accurate result is always obtained by having your finger measured by professionals at a jewelry store.
Frequently asked questions about ring resizing
When is a ring too small?
If you have to struggle and use force to take the ring off over your knuckles, the size is too small. The ring should go on your finger effortlessly but offer slight resistance at the knuckle when removing it, so it doesn't accidentally fall off when you wave your hands.
How much can a ring be enlarged?
Smooth, unadorned gold and silver rings can be enlarged by adding a piece by several sizes (e.g., from size 16 to size 18). However, in diamond rings with multiple settings, the band cannot be opened indefinitely without distorting the stone settings. In such cases, the maximum enlargement is often only about half a size or one full size. Eternity rings completely covered in diamonds usually cannot be enlarged at all.
Can a white gold ring be enlarged?
White gold rings are easy to enlarge. However, it's important to remember that white gold is naturally slightly grayish or yellowish. To make the added piece and the old band completely the same color and sparkling white, the ring must always be rhodium-plated (i.e., re-coated with rhodium) at the end of the work. For this reason, enlarging a white gold ring is somewhat more expensive. You can read more about rhodium plating in our jewelry cleaning guide.
How do I remove a ring from a swollen finger?
If a ring that's too small is stuck, don't use force! First, cool your hand in cold water for a few minutes to reduce swelling. Then, use plenty of hand cream or liquid soap as a lubricant and carefully twist (don't pull directly) the ring off your finger.
Resizing a ring yourself – is it safe?
Resizing a ring at home (for example, by tapping the ring around a metal rod) is absolutely not recommended. The ring's band can break, its shape can distort into an oval, or the stone settings can give way and the diamond can fall out. Ring resizing can be done affordably and safely by a professional goldsmith, ensuring your valuable jewelry remains perfect.
Also explore our other expert services:
Ring engraving, Ring resizing down, Jewelry cleaning and rhodium plating, Watch bracelet shortening.