by Jesús Zabala - 4 min read

How to Make a Ring Bigger at Home

You may have found a glamorous ring that perfectly fits your personality and style but feels tight on the finger. Or the ring you have at home feels more tight on the finger than it used to before. Whatever the case, we can definitely agree that tight rings are uncomfortable and most often impossible to wear. Worry no more, as we might have a solution for you. Check this guide on how to make a ring bigger at home, and enjoy wearing your favorite ring that fits snugly in the finger comfort free.

How to Make a Ring Bigger at Home

Have you ever found yourself thinking oh no, my ring is too small, what can I do to resize it? Luckily, you can stretch it at home with the help of some simple tools. All you need is to gather the right tools and follow the instructions outlined below. Worth noting though is that these tips specifically apply to stretching plain ring bands without gemstones. If you want to resize a ring with intricate designs or stones, you can ask for professional help.

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Preparing and sizing

Our first advice is to avoid stretching rings with engravings or stones. Remember that stretching may cause stones to fall and the engravings to lose their shape.

Check the current ring size using a mandrel

First, you should check the current ring size using a mandrel. A ring mandrel is often a metal tool with ring sizes marked on it, and you can use it for plain rings you wish to stretch at home.

To measure the ring, slide the ring onto the ring mandrel and note where the ring rests. The point where the ring stops – that’s the ring’s size. Make sure the ring is sitting straight and evenly on the mandrel for correct measurement.

If you do not have a mandrel at home and are planning to buy one before this project, consider purchasing a steel mandrel. Steel mandrels are better than wood or plastic ones because they are more durable and precise and are used by professional jewelers. They might help you in stretching your ring, too.

Use a ring sizer to figure out your ring size

There are different types of ring sizers. A metal ring sizer resembles a set of keys. Instead of keys, the ring sizer has metal rings of different sizes. If you are using a metal ring sizer, you should try on the rings to find your size. If you are using a plastic ring sizer, slide the sizer onto your finger and read the size. Remember that the perfect ring size is when you feel the ring snugly on the finger and not too loose.

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Use paper and a conversion chart (as an alternative)

If you do not have a ring sizer, you can always measure the size of your finger using the good old way of measuring before ring sizers became a thing – a piece of paper and a conversion chart.

You’ll need to use a strip of paper to measure your finger. Wrap the paper around your finger and mark the paper where it wraps. Once you do that, measure the length of the paper with a ruler. Then, you can find a conversion chart online to convert your measurement to a ring size.

Enlarging a ring with a pin and hammer

While enlarging a ring with a pin and hammer at home is possible, you must be extra careful to avoid damaging the ring. You should place the pin inside the ring because this helps stretch the ring. Use a small hammer and tap around the ring while it is on the pin. Rotate the ring and continue tapping. Repeat the procedure until you get the desired size.

Enlarging a ring with pliers

Using pliers to enlarge a ring requires precision to avoid ring damage. First, you should wrap the ring in a soft cloth to protect it from the pliers. Gently grip the ring with the pliers. Then, slowly apply pressure to stretch the ring. Check the fit on your finger until you get the right size.

Use the ring stretcher

The next step is learning how to use a ring stretcher. Slide the bottom of the stretcher into the base. We recommend working on a firm surface, like a concrete floor. Ring stretchers have three parts: a nylon base that holds the tool, a hollow mandrel, and a top pin, which you will hammer on. Now, slide the hollow part into the nylon base.

Then, place the ring around the hollow mandrel and insert the pin. The ring should fit around the metal surface at the bottom of the stretcher. Next, slide the top pin into the hollow interior.

Once you do that, hammer the top of the stretcher with a rawhide hammer. We advise you to hammer lightly to avoid overstretching your ring. The best is to tap the ring lightly to avoid enlarging it too much. Finally, you can try the ring on and check if it fits.

Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: JJZanily

Conclusion

We believe that this guide on how to make a ring bigger at home will help you wear the rings that you thought you could not wear anymore.

To stretch a ring at home, first check its size. Then, measure your finger and start stretching. You can enlarge the ring with a pin and hammer, pliers, or a ring stretcher. Whatever you choose, we advise being precise and careful to avoid damaging the ring.