Daily Wire Tip Dec. 5: Resizing a Shank with Wire

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
December 5, 2010

Question:

I just got married 1 month ago, and I’m so frustrated. My ring had to be big enough to go over my knuckle, and now once it’s on, it’s too big, so it spins constantly.

I’d like to try and wrap some thin wire around the bottom to prevent any more spinning. What gauge wire should I use? Please help! Thanks!

-Sue in Cloquet, Minnesota

Answer:

Congratulations, Sue!!

I have a lovely ring that my jeweler said is not a good candidate for resizing, so I used a piece of 18-gauge half round dead soft wire to fix it.

Depending on how much size needs to be corrected (and because you will probably do this while it is on your finger), I would use 20-gauge half round half hard wire. If you want the wrap to be symmetrical in length, take a piece that is about 6½" long, then fold it in half on an angle (with the domed side out). Place the fold over the center of the shank, and wrap toward each side. When it fits more comfortably, trim the ends, use a file to smooth them, and press them inside.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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6 Comments

1. 

   Diane

   December 5, 2010 at 11:41 am

   Another idea is to buy a ring guard. You can Google this to find what a ring guard is. The ring guard expands so you can easily remove the ring when necessary and contracts while wearing the ring. Ring guards come in everyting from plastic to gold so look for exactly the one you want. I have this problem too.
2. 

   Wendy H.

   December 5, 2010 at 3:52 pm

   Such a great idea! I’ve lost 30 lbs in the past 2 years and some of my rings don’t fit well and I fear I’ll lose them. I’ll definitely give this a try and bring back my bling!

   Thanks Sue for asking such a great question and Dale for such a great suggestion!

   Wendy H. in Hamilton, Ohio
3. 

   BARBARA WOLF

   December 5, 2010 at 4:46 pm

   HI SUE, I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.MY JEWELER PUT 2 LITTLE GOLD BALLS ON THE INSIDE OF THE RING AND IT STAYS PUT. I HAVE NO TROUBLE TO GET IT OVER MY KNUCKLE IT IS A LITTLE HARDER BUT IT WORKS WELL. ALSO THINK OF THE TIMES YOUR HANDS SWELL.
   GOOD LUCK
   • 

     dalecgr

     December 5, 2010 at 11:26 pm

     Hey Barbara, thanks for the idea about having a jeweler put a couple of balls inside the ring – cool!
4. 

   Lacyblu

   December 5, 2010 at 5:13 pm

   Sue,
   CONGRATS!!! And to another Minnesotan…Since you just got married a month ago, and live in our cold Minnesota, there are a few things to keep in mind when you wrap the ring…First is the temperature at the time of year…Your fingers shrink in cold weather and they swell in hot weather…This means you might have to re-wrap the ring in different seasons…Secondly, the wrap may not have to run the entire length of the back to keep it from spinning…If you have delicate hands, use [[as Dale recommended]] 20 gauge, half round half hard wire…Start the wrap directly in the center in back and wrap a few times to the right, see how the ring feels…If it is getting more comfortable, wrap the same amount of turns on the left side…Don’t cut the wire ends yet…Play with the ring, move it, feel if it’s snug but not tight and keep in mind that your fingers will swell in heat…You want to make sure you can get the ring off if necessary…Try practice wire to get the right tightness, then use only the best wire to match or compliment the ring…Argentium Silver and Gold is great…I’ve wrapped a few of my rings this way…Best ring guards in the world…
   CONGRATS again…
5. 

   Angela Friesen

   December 6, 2010 at 9:55 am

   Congratulations Sue!

   I’ve been married for 15 years and my rings spin constantly; you get used to it after a while.