How to correctly size a ring with sizing beads?

[toaster]

My e-ring currently has sizing beads that were pretty much added as a after thought. I got the ring sized but it still spun too much on my finger.... (I have a large knuckle) so they had two beads added in.

that did stop a lot of the spinning... however i've NEVER been able to get the ring off without using windex.... I hate that it is that tight... and to make matters worse.... the past few days I haven't been able to get it off at all.

I plan to take it in to get it resized... but I would like to know... should it actually be sized slightly larger... say 1/4-1/2 size... to be able to accomodate the beads and my knuckle??

 

[gemmyblond]

Depending on what the sizing beads are like, you could consider having them filed down a bit so they're smaller and lower profile. This might give you just enough clearance to get the ring off more easily without sizing up.

Or, you could size up a tiny bit just to make it easier over the knuckle, and then add a different shape or type of sizing bead...One alternative is to take out the beads and instead, put in sizing bumps -- they're flatter and a bit elongated, kind of like those speed bumps/humps they sometimes put on the road in school zones to slow traffic down. They don't sit up as high inside and can also be filed (both height and width) as needed. Kind of like a squished, slightly pillowy oval pancake that sits inside the shank. Sometimes they also put little ridges on top of them for extra grip. I had a ring with them and they were actually a lot more comfy than the beads.

I have the same knuckle issue and it's a challenge for sure. I usually size to get it over the knuckle just barely and then put in bumps to stop spinning. I'd rather be able to get it off even with a bit of twisting and turning, and then deal with the spinning by playing with the size of the bumps.

HTH & good luck.

 

[motownmama]

I was going to say the same thing. I had sizing bumps in one ring and they just kept taking it back to the bench and filing ever so slightly. It took 3 times back 'n forth while I waited and finally it fit, but didn't spin. I'd start there. You can always remove the sizing beads completely if this method doesn't achieve the results you need.

 

[toaster]

Hmmmmm.... i like the sound of the speed bumps.... mine are little balls they put in...

i think i still may need to size up a bit though.... if i remember correctly (this was done a while ago.... i've just been living with the whole taking it off with windex thing) i really like the idea of the bumps/balls to keep it from spinning.... i just hate that i can't get the darned thing off! even when i've been in the store to have it cleaned/prongs checked... they wince when i'm trying to get it off with windex (and sometimes i even need windex to get it back on!)

i'm going to ask about speed bumps instead of the balls!

 

[ame]

Is it ever loose still with the beads or perfect with the beads? Like when it's freezing out? If not, then like 1/8 size or 1/4 size should be enough. When it's FREEZING out, even with beads mine is floppy and will go on ok. Getting it off is still usually a "take it off after washing my hands" kind of thing. When it's gross out, it won't matter, I need to have wet hands or windex. But weather makes a huge difference in my finger size.

 

[toaster]

well..... loose as in it will seem more spinny while on.... but never, ever have i been able to get it off without windex.... even when freezing!

it's actually been like this for 2 years now.... i've just lived with the whole windex thing and a lot of the times (all the time now) i just clean it while on my finger rather than deal with the pain of getting it off.... plus i think it's making my knuckle callousy?

 

[toaster]

so for my own clarification when i go in to get resized:

do i want to get the ring a bit larger than i normally would WITHOUT beads/bumps so that it goes on pretty easily or almost too easily (then the beads/bumps take up space to keep it from spinning and i will be able to take it off/put it on without the aid of windex?)

OR

do i need to get it sized so that it is the correct size (so needs a good push to get on) even without beads/bumps.....

 

[gemmyblond]

Not to be wishy-washy, but it depends, imho...mostly on the width of the ring.

If it's a wider, sturdy shank, then it's harder to twist and torque it on over the knuckle. So in that case, I've sized up very very slightly so that it can go easily over the knuckle without too much rubbing or work. Then use the speed bumps to take up the slack at the finger base.

But if the ring's thinner and more easily manipulated over the knuckle, then you may not need to size up at all, as you can twist it around and not work as hard to get it over the knuckle. If you size up a thin ring, even just a bit, sometimes it ends up being way too big and slides around and can drive you a little crazy - almost worse than being too tight!

It also depends on if the ring's got some hollowed-out area under the gallery or is 'comfort-fit', which gives a little more room to breathe in getting it over the knuckle.

Anyway, that's just my experience - I base the up-sizing decision on the width of the shank. I tend to want it to go over the knuckle with just a little bit of work but not be loose there or seamlessly glide over it, as that makes it way too big at the finger base. Sorry to be so indecisive, but this is just my personal experience and it's trial and error. I, too, go back and have the speed bumps filed down time and again til it feels right, so I think there's no one hard-and-fast answer for this. Good luck!