Ring size

There are several systems for denoting the sizes of jewellery rings in use around the worldref|Ringsize:
*In the United States and Canada, ring sizes are specified using a numerical scale, with quarter and half sizes. An increase of a full size is an increase of 0.032 inch (0.8128 mm) in diameter, or roughly ¹/₁₀ inch (more precisely, 0.1005 in or 2.55 mm) in inside circumference.

Generally, sizes in quarters and halves will not relate conventionally to anything on any known ruler. Also, on one finger alone a person may vary more than a whole ring size- depending on time of day, work performed, and other swelling-inducing activities/conditions. Therefore, in most cases quarter-sizes are meaningless unless one needs precise accuracy with a particular ring.
*In Europe (excluding Ireland and the United Kingdom), ring sizes are specified using a numerical scale, with half sizes.
*In Ireland, the United Kingdom and Australia, ring sizes are specified using an alphabetical scale, with half sizes.
*In Japan, ring sizes are specified using a numerical scale, that only has whole sizes.
*In Switzerland, ring sizes are specified using a numerical scale, with quarter and half sizes.
*In Germany, ring sizes are specified using actual internal diameter in mm. (the same as "ISO")

The ISO standard for ring sizes is ISO 8653:1986, which defines standard ring sizes in terms of the inner circumference of the ring measured in millimetres.

Conversion chart for ring sizes

Finger sizing

Ring size is not the same as one's finger size; this is perhaps the first law of ring sizing to remember. A professional jeweler can determine your proper ring size using a set of steel gauge-rings, which are known as "ring-sizers". These come in narrow and wide widths, therefore be conscious of that fact when being measured. Also, be aware that you must first judge how your fingers change over the course of the day, and what work you are performing on a day-to-day basis. All the aforementioned can affect the results using gauge rings.

Other methods, such as measuring the finger with a strip of paper, or slipping the finger through pre-cut "measuring holes", are inaccurate. It is advisable to visit several jewelers at different times during the day. For a more accurate reading, one may measure one's finger at the end of the day, when it is at its largest diameter. Also, it is better to have recorded data of ring measurements taken from rings that fit, if one wears rings. Other factors that can affect ring size include: the menstrual cycle, temperature, humidity, water-retention and exercise.

The best strategy for any ring-lover is to purchase good calipers that measure inside diameters. A tightly-calipered measurement should then be taken of various rings that fit; these should be noted and the corresponding size recorded. The MANDREL, the tapered ring-measuring rod, should be regarded as only half-accurate. Different jewelers will employ the mandrel in different ways. For instance, one jeweler may use the mandrel and take an edge-of-the-ring reading; others will take the measure that corresponds to the "largest" finger the ring can fit.

It is best for the consumer to know and be firm about finger dimensions, because every jeweler or ring seller will think his/her method the "best" ring-measuring method. It has often been suggested that the entire world switch to using inner diameter (the diameter of the finger) as the only size-number standard.

A wider band can be worn more loosely. Large knuckles/hands should wear a slightly loose ring, while slimmer knuckles/smaller hands will require a tighter ring. Some rings can be re-sized, but many cannot. Rings made of titanium or tungsten steel, stone-set rings with complicated or precise mountings, extremely thin/wide rings "cannot be re-sized".

A good way for a "rough-and-ready" measurement is to find a ring that is just smaller than the second knuckle of the finger. This way the fit is comfortable but will not slide off the finger. The method of trying on a ring and shaking the hand violently, to see if the ring comes off, is inadvisable and not very accurate.

Furthermore, every ring size chart will vary slightly in its standards. This always occurs unless one company has copied another company's size chart. Even the ISO, ringsmiths and jewelers use different sizing standards, assigning different numbers to the same measurements. On one chart a diameter of 20.65mm may equal a size 10 3/4; on another chart, a similar number, such as 20.62mm, may read out as size 10. It is wise to keep all of the above firmly in mind when ring shopping.

If ordering from catalog or internet, always demand that the seller provide the inner diameter of a ring.

References

# cite web|url=http://www.18carat.co.uk/ringsizes.html|title=Ring Finger SizesPrintable ring size chart: http://www.ajediam.com/finger_sizes_rings.html

External links

* [http://claddagh.com/ringsize.htm Ring size guide, printable PDF, and calculator]

* [http://titaniumstyle.com/fitting-help.htm#int Ring sizes in picture as well as a PDF that's printable]