What you need to know when measuring your ring size

Choosing a ring size for an engagement ring seems like the simplest part of the process. It should be as easy as taking a measurement, and reading the size, right?

Not quite.

Getting the right size for your new ring takes some thought, judgement and planning to make sure it’s comfortable and secure on your finger. This can be trickier than it seems, especially if you’ve never worn a ring day-to-day before. Here are 3 key things to know to help make your decision with confidence.

1. Your ring size changes season to season.

How hot or cold you are changes your ring size. In warmer weather, your hands will swell a little, making your ring size a little larger than in colder weather. When you consider that a ring sizes are only around 0.5mm apart in diameter, these changes in finger swelling from the seasons do impact how well a ring feels like it fits.

The challenge is in finding a ring size that will be great for you all year round. You’ll need to find a happy medium where your ring isn’t too tight in summer, nor too big in winter.

2. Your ring size changes throughout the day.

Aside from seasonal fluctuations, your finger size also changes throughout the day depending on your environment, your activities, and your unique body. For example, you may wake with puffier fingers in the morning which settle in the afternoon. Your fingers will be larger when you exercise, and smaller when you’re restful.

Choosing a size that will be comfortable most of the time takes some judgement. Being aware of your own fluctuations in finger sizes throughout the day will also help to gauge when is best to measure your ring size.

3. The width of your ring changes the size you need.

Not all rings of the same size will feel the same. For example, an 8mm wide band will feel tighter than a dainty 3mm wide band, even if they’re exactly the same size. You’ll need a larger size in an 8mm ring compared to a 3mm wide ring in order for it to feel equally comfortable.

Take this into account when stacking rings too. A 2mm ring that feels comfortable on its own may feel a little tight when worn with another ring or two stacked with it. So when you’re choosing a ring to add to a custom ring stack, or one that will eventually be part of an engagement ring, wedding ring and eternity ring set, worn together on the same finger, be sure to consider the size you need.

4. Fingers on your dominant hand are larger than your non-dominant hand.

The hand you use for most tasks gets more of a workout in your day to day life. With that, comes more strength, more muscle, and a larger finger size than the equivalent finger on your non-dominant hand. This important if you’re basing a ring size of a ring you wear already on the opposite hand.

If you wear a ring on your right hand ring finger, for example, your left hand ring finger (where an engagement ring is most often worn) will need a slightly smaller size for it to fit comfortably.

So, which ring size should you choose?

Taking these tips into account will give you a good sense of when to measure your size, how your size may change throughout the year, and what to base your decision on. Though it’s perfectly normal to end up with a few ring sizes to decide between.

Having your ring size assessed by a professional jeweller can take much of the guess work out of the process. A jeweller will take into account these factors, and the experiences they’ve had with clients just like you, to recommend a size they think you’ll be most happy with. If you’re choosing a Harlequin ring, we’ll also happily resize your new engagement ring for a year, so you can be sure to find your perfect size while you get used to wearing it.

Looking for some help to choose the right ring size for your next piece? Book an appointment with our jeweller for advice.

Engagement Rings Without Claws

Claw style settings are the most common style of setting gems for engagement rings. However, claws settings aren’t for everyone, for a range of reasons. Some people simply don’t like claw settings. Others have an active lifestyle or hands-on work environment (such as a nurse or doctor) that makes a ring with claws impractical.

If this is you, here are 4 clawless engagement ring styles to inspire your design.

1. Bezel Set Engagement Rings

A bezel setting completely surrounds a gem to hold it in place. The metal of the setting encircles the gem right around, up over its girdle (or edge) creating a secure case for it. Bezels create a sleek, modern look to an engagement ring design.

Bezel settings are great for people who need a secure, claw free setting for practical reasons in their day to day life. A single round gemstone in a solitaire bezel set design is the ultimate in practicality. These settings can also be used in engagement ring designs that include multiple gemstones, for a more creative design that’s also practical to wear.

2. Half Bezel Engagement Rings

A half bezel setting (or semi bezel setting) partially encloses a gemstone, leaving some of the girdle (or edge) open. Half bezels can be used as a direct swap for claw settings in traditional design profiles, or they can be incorporated into curved wraparound bands for more unique engagement ring designs.

3. Inset Engagement Rings

For a style where the gems and the band are flush with each other, engagement rings with inset gemstones work beautifully with all precious metal and gemstone colours. This style of clawless engagement ring is best with gemstones in smaller sizes so that the band thickness can accommodate the depth of the gemstone (for larger gems, a bezel set design is a better design option).

Inset rings are delightfully practical to wear, with no raised settings in the piece. This style of clawless engagement ring is one you’ll enjoy wearing day in and day out for many years.

4. Illusion Set Engagement Rings

While technically a claw setting, an illusion setting wears more like a clawless design. An illusion setting surrounds a centre diamond with a patterned ring of metal. Beautiful bright cut patterns in the setting add dimension and interest in the piece.

Illusion settings are reminiscent of vintage engagement ring styles, with an elegant old world feel about them. They’re also excellent at making small diamonds appear larger than they really are, which makes them an appealing choice when incorporating small heirloom diamonds into a new engagement ring piece.

Design Your Own Engagement Ring Without Claws

These four beautiful gemstone setting styles can be used to create a custom engagement ring without using claws. If you’re ready to design your own clawless ring, meet directly with our jeweller maker in Canberra or online to get all the advice you need.

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4 Solitaire Engagement Ring Styles

Solitaire diamond rings are a timeless and versatile choice for engagement rings, particularly when made with a round brilliant cut diamond. They’re perfect for those who don’t ordinarily wear a lot of jewellery, as well as those who have a large jewellery collection because they’ll match seamlessly with any style, every day.

There are many solitaire styles you can opt for when designing your own engagement ring. Here are 4 solitaire designs with a round brilliant cut diamond to inspire your ring design.

1. Classic 6-claw Solitaire Engagement Rings

Classic designs are classics for very good reason. When it comes to solitaire engagement rings, the classic 6-claw setting has long been a true classic, and will likely continue to be for generations to come. Six claw settings work beautifully with a round brilliant cut diamond shape, and allow for so many options on when you’re choosing a wedding ring and eternity ring to match with it.

2. Modern 4-claw Solitaire Engagement Rings

The 4-claw setting is as versatile as a 6-claw setting, with a modern style. It’s an excellent choice of engagement ring for wearers who take a minimalist approach to jewellery, and it makes the diamond the star of the piece. Four claw settings are an excellent choice for smaller gemstones because they ensure the metal doesn’t overwhelm the stone.

3. Bezel Set Solitaire Engagement Rings

While claw settings are common in engagement rings, they’re not the only option for setting styles. Clawless engagement rings are possible. Bezel settings offer a sleek, modern appeal and look amazing with round brilliant cut diamonds. They’re perfectly suited to wearers who need a secure, safe style to wear to work or day to day life, and are a popular choice among healthcare workers, and mums with active young children.

4. Half Bezel Solitaire Engagement Rings

For those wanting just one single diamond in their engagement ring, but also a unique engagement ring design, half bezel settings allow you to have both. With settings that cover half but not all of the diamond, half bezels allow for more unique shapes in an engagement ring structure. A wrap around engagement ring design like the one below hugs the feature diamond, creating an elegant and bold style. A matching fitted wedding ring to wear alongside it when you say “I do” further adds to the uniqueness of this ring style.

Design your own solitaire engagement ring with an Australian jeweller

These four solitaire engagement rings are just the beginning when it comes to creating a timeless yet personal design. Subtle changes to setting styles, band types, claw shapes can change the whole look of an engagement ring, while maintaining a versatile appeal. Find more design inspiration here: What is a solitaire engagement ring?.

If you’re ready to design your own solitaire engagement ring, book an appointment directly with our jewellery maker, to get all the advice you need for your design.

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Should you still surprise your partner with their engagement ring when you've designed it together?

It used to be the case that all engagement rings were bought as a complete surprise, and presented to a completely unsuspecting recipient. These days, relationships are far more varied, and each couple’s journey is very different.

Some couples still have one partner buy a surprise ring.

Some couples design their ring together.

Some couples design a ring each for eachother, with eachother.

Most of the time, marriage - and the engagement ring - has been talked about in some way beforehand.

So, it begs the question: Should you still surprise your partner with their engagement ring when you know it’s coming?

My answer is yes.

Even for couples that have come into my studio and designed their engagement ring (or two) together, I still find ways to make sure they can have their designed-together-ring and their surprise too.

Why?

It’s not to perpetuate the Hallmark moment we’ve been fed for decades. Real life is far more beautiful than any movie-scene fantasy we’ve seen on our screens.

Rather, it’s because the moment you put that ring on your finger, is the moment that begins a new chapter for you and your partner. Even if it’s a chapter you’ve both talked about, and know about, and have in many ways agreed to beforehand, it marks a change.

A change in your story. A change in your lives. A change in the journey you’re on together.

It’s a hugely personal moment. So as your jeweller, I always give you the option of making that moment one you’ll remember in your own truly personal way, rather than in a jewellery studio’s walls. Looking back, you’ll want to remember the day you gave your partner that meaningful ring. So even if you’re designing it together, I encourage you to create your personal moment, and surprise your partner with the ring. I promise you it’ll be a special one, even if your partner knows the ring is coming.

A jeweller that respects that moment, beyond the ring itself, knows how to support you in making that happen in a way that’s perfect for the both of you.

If you’re looking for help to involve your partner in the ring design, but keep the proposal magic, book an appointment with our jewellery maker to get your first conversation started.

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The best part of choosing a handmade engagement ring for your partner

When you’re buying an engagement ring, there are a pros-and-cons you weigh up with your choices.

Most of them focus on price and quality. After all, it’s human to seek out the very best ring you can get, for the least amount of money possible. At the time, these can be very compelling, and consume your entire thoughts until you have that ring in your hand. Though if you’re considering a handmade piece, the real magic is a little more human than that.

Sure, handmade rings are great quality.

Sure, handmade rings are a great choice, given how long they can last.

Though the very best part is far more nuanced.

Whenever I meet new people, and our small talk turns to what we each do for a living, I can tell right away the people who’ve been through the process of having an engagement ring handmade, before they even tell me so.

Their eyes light up, even before they’ve said a word. The magic is still there, whether it’s been 1 year or 30 years since that ring was made.

The joy I get to see when they me things like: “I got to design the ring” and “I had someone actually make the ring by hand”. That joy never fades. That experience is one that leaves its mark long after the proposal moment.

Knowing that a pair of human hands created a timeless piece for you from scratch, and that you played a part in bringing to life - down the track, that’s the real magic of choosing a handmade ring.

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