Tips on How an Engagement Ring Should Fit (2024)

Tips on How an Engagement Ring Should Fit (1)

Written By: Vahid Moradi

Finding the right fit for an engagement ring is an essential part of getting married. Everything from your fiance to the dress you're planning on wearing, ensuring that things fit as they should, is all part of the preparation process. Now you're probably wondering, “How should an engagement ring fit?”. Finding the perfect engagement ring fit is easy with CJ Charles, so let's find you a ring that fits perfectly!

An engagement ring is classically worn on the left ring finger in between the second and third knuckle. The sizing of engagement rings is complicated due to differences in finger shape and ring style. But for the most part, an engagement ring with a good fit should fit snugly enough that the diamond remains centered on the finger but loose enough that it can be spun and twisted around the finger itself with only a moderate amount of friction.

Traditionally engagement rings have a thinner band however today we are seeing many different settings and band widths. A thin band will feel larger on the finger than a wider band of the exact same size.

It is important to seek the advice of a professional jeweler regarding the fit of your engagement ring. While a ring may feel too loose, a jeweler will be able to use a ring sizer to verify whether or not the ring is, in fact, the perfect fit for your finger.

Should My Ring Ever Feel Tight?

While it is not the end of the world if a ring ever feels a little loose, your engagement ring should never feel too tight. A ring that is too tight can cause discomfort, indentations in the skin, and even circulation issues. Often the knuckle is the largest part of the ring finger and the size of your ring is guided by what fits comfortably over your knuckle. Also, stacked rings will feel tighter when worn together, just like a thicker band would, so consider a half size up if you are planning to wear bands on each side.

How Do I Measure My Ring Size?

Tips on How an Engagement Ring Should Fit (3)

Ourprintableringsize guide is a great way to get a rough estimate of your ring size. However, the best way to measure your ring finger size is with a professional jeweler at a jewelry store.

Using a trained eye, a ring gauge set, and a classic ring mandrel a professional jeweler can tell you your ideal ring size. The best rings are the ones that both snugly hug your finger without drawing your attention to the fact that you are wearing a ring.

If sized properly, your engagement ring will be comfortable and secure, and a professional jeweler can help you find the perfect fit!

What If My Fingers Swell?

Fingers naturally swell and shrink depending on circ*mstances like the temperature and season, water retention, sodium levels in the blood, and even stress. While some people experience radical swings in swelling and shrinking, for the most part, these phenomena are minimal.

Swelling and shrinking are perfectly normal and can happen over the course of a day. Most people notice that their ring is loosest in the morning, and tightest in the evening, especially after a salty dinner!

When deciding on your ring size, it is usually best to measure your finger in the morning, afternoon, and night to get an idea of your average size. For those who want to ensure they are finding the optimal size, measure morning, afternoon, and night for several days. Take the averages over the multiple-day period to find the size that best encapsulates your weekly average.

What If My Ring Size Changes?

Most people don't need their ring size changed too many times throughout the course of adulthood. While certain events can cause a ring size to change, like weight gain/loss, your ring size will typically remain constant.

If your ring size does change, having a ring resized is no problem for a quality jeweler. Resizing a ring is not only common, it often affords a unique opportunity to upgrade the band or add to the original design of the ring!

Will My Engagement Ring Fall Off My Hand?

Not everyone who wears an engagement ring is necessarily used to wearing rings. And for most everyone who wears an engagement ring, you have likely never worn a ring on this particular finger. This is why you should gain an understanding of how to choose an engagement ring that is right for you and account for the many different styles of engagement rings.

Finding the right fit will ensure that your engagement ring doesn't just fall off. Even with swelling and shrinking, a properly fitted ring will ensure that you can wear your ring in any circ*mstance without worrying about it coming off.

A properly fitted engagement ring will snugly fit your hand to the point that you can shake your hand, and the ring will not move past your second knuckle. Most of the time, the second knuckle acts like a goalie, keeping your ring from slipping off.

Whether you have a hand in picking out your ring or being surprised by a proposal, selecting the correct engagement ring is an exciting process. An engagement ring is designed to be worn immediately, so finding the correct fit is crucial in selecting the perfect ring.

If you are selecting an engagement ring for someone else, be certain about their size. Call friends and family, get creative with how to secretly measure your fiance-to-be's finger, but do not guess!

Working with a jeweler can turn the process of finding the perfect fit from a stressful experience into a delight for you and your betrothed. The best way to find your fit is to make an appointment with a CJ Charles jeweler for a fitting appointment. Contact us online or visit one of our shops today to see why we’re one of the best San Diego jewelers!

Written By: Vahid Morai

Vahid Moradi’s lifelong passion, dedication, and commitment for the jewelry industry led him to become the respected owner of CJ Charles Jewelers in 1988. From that moment, Moradi’s single focus in business was to become recognized as the pinnacle of value and world-class quality in the his Community. Over 34 years later, CJ Charles continues to grow and thrive as a successful, family-owned business that consistently provides exceptional service to all their clientele.

Sources:

Brides. How to Determine the Perfect Engagement Ring Size. https://www.brides.com/story/finding-your-ring-size

Jewelry Shopping Guide. Does My Engagement Ring Fit Right? https://www.jewelryshoppingguide.com/does-my-engagement-ring-fit-right/

12 Fifteen Diamonds. How Should An Engagement Ring Fit? Expert Tips For Choosing The Right Ring Size. https://www.1215diamonds.com/blog/how-should-an-engagement-ring-fit/

Tips on How an Engagement Ring Should Fit (2024)

FAQs

How is your engagement ring supposed to fit? ›

A ring that fits perfectly will slide smoothly down your finger and over your knuckles without having to be forced. It should fit snugly at the bottom of your finger without squeezing or feeling too tight. Once it's on, you should be able to feel the band touching every part of your skin.

How should the ring fit? ›

Rule of Thumb: A proper fitting ring should slide over your knuckle with a little friction and fit snugly on your finger, but not too tight. You should feel resistance and need to apply a little extra force to remove the ring backwards over your knuckle.

What is the golden rule for engagement rings? ›

The wedding band traditionally goes on the left-hand ring finger first, nearest the heart, with the engagement ring stacking on top. Again, this practice is not law, and the rings can be arranged in any way that is most comfortable and aesthetically pleasing to you, including wearing the rings on separate fingers.

What are the most important factors for an engagement ring? ›

Know the 4Cs

The first tip for buying a diamond engagement ring is to know the 4Cs: Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight. Created by GIA, the 4Cs are the global standard for assessing the quality of diamonds and allow you to compare one diamond to another.

Is my ring too loose if it spins? ›

If your ring is too loose, it may fall off your finger. This can be dangerous if the ring gets lost or you injure yourself trying to catch it. If the ring is loose enough to spin on your finger, you should have it resized.

What happens if engagement ring doesn't fit? ›

Professional Resizing by a Jeweler

Typically, a ring can be resized by up to two sizes. You'll take it in to the jeweler, they'll measure your finger and probably ask some questions (how the ring currently fits, what you find comfortable, etc.), and you can decide together on the perfect size.

Should a ring spin on your finger? ›

That's OK if your knuckle and finger are very close to the same size. But for most people, their knuckle is bigger than where their ring is worn, so a solid band will turn and spin. If the ring has diamonds, rubies, emeralds, or other stones, they're top heavy and the diamonds now end up on the bottom.

Is it better to size up or down in a ring? ›

Should you go larger or smaller? If you're between ring sizes or there's a reasonable difference in your size throughout the day, a good thing to bear in mind is that it's always better to go for a slightly larger size than one that's too small, so you should err in that direction.

Is $5,000 a lot for an engagement ring? ›

Whether $5000 is considered a lot for an engagement ring depends on individual perspectives and financial circ*mstances. In general, it's a reasonable budget that provides a variety of attractive options.

Is $3000 too little for an engagement ring? ›

Millennials spend about $3,000 on engagement rings rather than the average amount of $5,000. High-class individual spends $20,000 or more on their engagement ring, and this often drives the average engagement ring cost upward.

Is $10,000 a lot for an engagement ring? ›

Perhaps one that offers a bit more than just a diamond? If so, then $10,000 is an excellent budget to work with. You may have heard by now that $10,000 engagement rings are becoming more and more popular. The average of spending $5,000 on your engagement ring may soon be a thing of the past.

What are the 5 C's of engagement rings? ›

These qualities are universally described as the 5 C's – Carat, Cut, Colour, Clarity and Confidence. Understanding the 5 C's can help simplify choosing a diamond allowing you to focus on its beauty and ensuring it is the perfect fit for you or your loved one. Carat (ct) refers to the weight of the diamond.

What is the most common engagement ring setting? ›

The Most Popular Ring Setting: Prong Setting

If you've seen an engagement ring, there's a good chance it was a prong setting. You will also see prong settings used in other single stone and multi-stone rings. This setting typically uses four or six prongs to hold a single stone in place.

What is the strongest setting for an engagement ring? ›

More Prongs

Therefore, if you want to be on the safe side and keep your diamond ultra-secured, go for the higher number of prongs. For example, a round diamond can have between four and six prongs. Though four can show off a round diamond beautifully, six prongs will protect it better.

How tight or loose should your engagement ring be? ›

An engagement ring should be snug enough that the diamond remains centred on the left ring finger but loose enough to twist with only a little friction. You should need a little force to remove the ring backwards over your knuckle – so it is easier to put on than take off.

Is it better for a ring to be tight or loose? ›

The perfect fit of a ring is snug past your knuckle and then a little bit loose once down on your finger.

Is it better for an engagement ring to be too big or too small? ›

Bigger or Smaller: The Verdict

While both oversized and undersized rings have their drawbacks, if you must choose, it's generally safer to opt for a slightly larger ring. A ring that's a bit too big can be more easily adjusted to fit snugly than a ring that's too small.

How do I know if my engagement ring is too big? ›

For most people, your ring will slip on your finger with a small amount of effort, but it should take some more work to remove it. If your ring comes off with almost no effort, it's probably too big.

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