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Does 1/2 A Ring Size Make A Difference?

Choosing your wedding rings can be one of the most fun parts of wedding planning. You’ll likely be doing this well in advance of your big day. So you may be wondering if your ring size will fluctuate in that time. What with changing weather that can cause swelling or perhaps weight loss/gain in preparation for your day? It’s only natural to question what size you should buy your rings in and whether or not half a ring size will make much of a difference. Today, I’ll be walking you through it all. 

So, does a 1/2 ring size make a difference? A half-ring size can make a massive difference to how it fits; whether it fits comfortably, is too loose, or will even cut off circulation. Thus, it is essential that you opt for a ring as true to fit as possible, though ring resizing is an option to consider should it be required.

Here’s an important quick point to make; ring sizes are based on standards, so rings of different brands will fit you all the same. 

So if you’ve measured a J in one jeweler, you’ll likely be a J in another even if the ring is a different style.

But how do you know what size you are? Well, you can either get the jeweler to take your measurement for you, or you can do it yourself at home (with this kind of funky device that you can get from Amazon).

This type of tool is particularly essential if you are looking to buy rings online. 

With this all in mind, if you are looking for a little more advice when it comes to your ring size and whether that small 1/2 size is going to make a difference, then keep reading.

How Much Difference Does A Half-Size Make In A Ring?

A half-size difference in a ring can make a massive difference

In the greater scheme of things, a half-ring size might seem to be a pretty minuscule problem. 

However, that 13mm difference can make an otherwise perfect ring not fit at all. 

If you accidentally purchase a size half size too small, you may have trouble even getting it past the knuckle, and if you do get it on, that beautiful ring may be incredibly difficult to get off.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, a ring that is a half size too big will swing around on your finger, making it uncomfortable and annoying to wear. 

Plus, you will likely end up losing it often as it will no doubt fall off your ring finger often. 

The last thing you want is for that special ring to gather dust in your jewelry box because you are afraid you will lose it when you’re out and about.

13mm might not sound like a huge difference, but the diameter of most of our fingers is not dramatically large either. 

So, although you may find you can get away with a 1/4 size difference, a half-size difference will be incredibly noticeable and annoying.

Is It Better To Size Up Or Size Down A Ring?

It is definitely better to size up a ring than to size it down

Especially if you are not sure what size you need or the size your partner usually wears. 

If you cannot get your hand on a ring that your partner already wears but want to keep your engagement a surprise, I always advise sizing up on your chosen ring.

It is much easier for a jeweler to alter a ring to a smaller size than it is to size it up. 

This is because of the process of sizing up a ring and the amount of stress that has to be applied to the metal.

So, if you are unsure what size you need, go for a size larger. 

Another reason you may have to size up will depend on the width of the band of your ring.

The wider the band of your ring is, not the actual thickness, the larger the ring size you will end up having to purchase. 

This difference can end up being as big as 1 to 2 ring sizes. 

So, although your partner’s regular ring size may be a 6, with a thicker banded ring, you may need to go up to an 8 or even a 9.

However, be aware of the metal used for the ring. Some materials are incredibly difficult to resize or might not be able to be resized at all. 

For example, tungsten is a metal that cannot be resized.

If you choose a ring with intricate details on the band, this can also be impossible to resize while still keeping that beautiful detail intact.

So, if you are not sure what exact ring size you need, you may want to avoid ornate wedding bands.

Should A Ring Be Tight Or Loose?

A ring should be neither tight nor loose. The perfect ring fit will comfortably slip over your knuckle and sit snuggly on the base of your finger. If you give your hand a gentle yet rigorous shake, it should not slip off. There should also be a small amount of friction when you place your ring on, as this is what keeps it falling off. 

However, if it feels tight to the point that it hurts, leaves deep indents, or is irritating, then you may need to have it resized to fit more comfortably.

Our fingers also swell in size and decrease slightly over the day. A ring that is too tight may become too uncomfortably tight as the day passes, and your finger swells ever so slightly. 

This is also why you do not want a loose ring. If it feels a little loose in the evening, by the morning, you may find yourself scouring underneath your pillows to find your lost ring.

Your fingers may decrease in size overnight or when you are inactive, and that slightly loose ring will now no longer fit at all. 

When To Go For A 1/2 Size Up?

If you are not sure what exact ring size you need or you are pregnant, you may need to go a 1/2 size up. 

The first is to give yourself a little resizing wiggle room.

As I mentioned before, it is much easier to reduce the size of a ring than increase it. 

If you are currently pregnant or you and your partner plan on becoming pregnant very soon, you may want to size up that half.

Pregnancy is a crazy time for your body, and you are likely to experience some swelling in your hands.

This swelling can very quickly make it impossible to wear your current ring size.

Banishing that beautiful ring to the depths of your jewelry box until you can pop it back on again.

However, if you do not mind going without your ring for a few months, then this is not a massive deal, but if you want to keep that gem firmly on your finger throughout your pregnancy, then I advise you to go up a size.

Plus, once your little bundle of joy is here, it will be super easy to get your ring resized to fit your new ring size. 

When To Go For A 1/2 Size Down?

Honestly, there are not any reasons to size down a ring unless it is to make it fit better.

Some may say if you are currently on a weight loss journey, you should go a size down because your ring finger size will reduce dramatically.

However, I think that puts a lot of pressure and stress on the person that is trying to lose weight.

The pressure that you don’t need, along with regular wedding planning stresses!

Remember, it is very easy to get your resized smaller, but not so if you need to get it made bigger.

If you are using your partner’s current rings to judge their ring size and you know the one you are using hangs loose on their finger, you could get a 1/2 size smaller, but even this size difference could be too dramatically different.

If anything, I would suggest going a 1/4 size smaller if you can.

This way, you will know, at the very least, that it will go on if you are determined to choose a smaller size.

Choosing The Right Ring Size

The right ring can make or break your magical moments, along with your day to day comfort. The trouble is, getting the correct ring size can be a little tricky.

If you can use a ring your partner already wears, well, then you are already halfway there.

However, if your partner isn’t a ring wearer…yet…then knowing what ring size you need and still keeping it a secret can be a little more difficult.

However, by choosing a ring that is a little too big, even a good half size, you are making sure it will go on when you pop the question, and it can still be easily resized.  

A half-ring size does not sound like much at a measly 13mm, but it can make all the difference between a ring that fits perfectly and one that really really doesn’t.

So choose wisely. 

Other ring-related guides you may want to check out: