M.T. asks from Saint Paul, MN on May 06, 2011
Increasing Wedding Ring Size
Hi, after having our son, my wedding ring is so tight I can't put it on! I was hoping my fingers will get thinner again, but after a year and a half and no change, I've given up. I wonder if the jewelry store I bought it at will increase the size for me. Is this a common thing to ask?
When I bought the ring, I had to have the size adjusted to make it smaller, and they didn't give me the extra white gold that they took off from the ring - but probably if I ask them to increase the size, they might just try to stretch it, but if they have to add more metal, they'll charge me for it -- is this correct as well? Is it too much to demand that they add it for free since they've taken off some and kept it before (5 years ago)? WIth precious metal being so expensive these days probably it's unreasonable to ask - but I just wanted to get feedback from others who had this kind of thng done before I made the call to the store. Thank you in advance for sharing your experience or advice!
1 mom found this helpful
So What Happened?™
Thank you all for your responses! I was obsessed about that tiny piece of white gold that I didn't get (when I had the ring size reduced) and wasn't even thinking about labor cost! And I also had no idea how labor intensive it was to increase the size. It seems like overall the price will be reasonable. I will try giving the store a call!
Featured Answers
M.L. answers from Houston on May 06, 2011
I worked at a jewelry store and they will have to charge you to size it. Unless you have a warranty that includes free ring sizing. Just because they sized it smaller once doesn't mean that they 'owe' you to replace the gold. It's not just about the materials used, but the labor as well.
It shouldn't really be that expensive though.
3 moms found this helpful
K.B. answers from Cincinnati on May 06, 2011
I had mine resized bigger about a year ago (I also had them resized smaller before I got married- can't remember if I was charged or not). It was $60 total for my engagement ring, wedding ring, and anniversary ring. I didn't think that was terrible considering how high gold is.
Forgot to say- my bands are thin and they are14K white gold. They weren't stretched, they added gold.
More Answers
M.L. answers from Houston on May 06, 2011
I worked at a jewelry store and they will have to charge you to size it. Unless you have a warranty that includes free ring sizing. Just because they sized it smaller once doesn't mean that they 'owe' you to replace the gold. It's not just about the materials used, but the labor as well.
It shouldn't really be that expensive though.
3 moms found this helpful
J.B. answers from Boston on May 06, 2011
I just had mine done - they are platinum and it was $60 total.
1 mom found this helpful
K.L. answers from Redding on May 06, 2011
I had to have my rings cut off when they got too tight. I had them resized and they added gold. I had asked about stretching them but it cant be done on some styles or it puts the setting for the diamond at risk. It makes them thinner and if you plan to stay married and wear that ring for a long time it will wear down over the years so you dont want it to be any thinner than it is now. The price of the gold they put in ist that much. Its the cost to do the labor that is high but when you realize what they have to do you will understand. They have to remove any stones so the heat of soldering wont damage them, and they have to replace them securely. They make it look as if nothing was done and polish it like new. Ive had my rings repaired and prongs rebuilt to hold in the stone and its well worth it to me. Every few years to spend $200 is way better than losing the stone or not being able to wear it. I plan to have this on my hand till the day I die. And I will tell you this: my engagement ring, wedding band and his wedding band cost us $121. TOTAL. And I am still willing to pay to have mine repaired when needed.
1 mom found this helpful
J.G. answers from St. Louis on May 06, 2011
Okay, no they didn't keep the gold they took off but the good news is they heat up the gold and stretch it to make it bigger.
My jewelery store charges $50 to make a ring bigger or smaller.
Okay didn't consider you may need it way the heck bigger, yeah they can only stretch them so far.
J.C. answers from New York on May 06, 2011
I'd say it depends where you bought it. If it's a private store that knows you well, then they might, otherwise, probably not.
I had my engagement ring and wedding band made bigger in October. They are platinum and cost $550 total to get done. But it was worth it since I now can wear them everyday without cutting off the circulation!
K.M. answers from Chicago on May 06, 2011
Some places that you can buy your rings from if you get the insurance and extra warranty policies you get a certain amount of ring sizing for free, is this something you happened to have gotten?
J.S. answers from Jacksonville on May 06, 2011
We had both of my parents wedding rings increased. My dad's by quite a bit. They can do it, I wish I could give you a better idea on price but, my sister worked at the jewelry store and got it done at a deep discount. Depending on how much you need to expand it and the type of metal makes a difference. You are probably looking at a hundred bucks or so.
C.J. answers from Milwaukee on May 06, 2011
The amout the is removed is so tiny you wouldn't get it back.
There's a LOT that goes into sizing rings up and down. IF it's a simple NO pattern band they MAY stretch it but I highly doubt it. They can only go so big before the metal is so thin it would be more like a razor around your finger.
When my ring got sized I stayed away even thought I knew EXACTLY what was going to happen. (The downside of working in a jewelry store that has a goldsmith.) I did catch a glimpse when it was BLACK after he put the torch to it.
Yes, you'll pay for the gold that's added but the REAL cost is in the labor.
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