Will many ring resizes effect the integrity?
December 1, 2014 4:13 PM Subscribe
Does resizing a ring multiple times effect the quality/integrity of the ring?
My family heirloom engagement ring, made of 18k yellow gold, was resized from a ladies 6.5 to an 8 when we got engaged. I've lost ~40 pounds since then, and now wear a ring size 7, possibly a 6.5. (This surprised me, as I had worn a ring size 8 even before I lost weight). I wear my wedding band (size 7) on top of the engagement ring in an attempt to hold it down, but it is still annoying and twists like crazy around my finger.
I would like to resize the ring so it fits correctly, but I'm afraid that too many resizings will hurt the ring. I also worry about needing to resize the ring again if I gain the weight back eventually.
Does resizing a ring multiple times effect its quality? Are there any better alternatives or temporary solutions to help it fit better?
Cheers!
My family heirloom engagement ring, made of 18k yellow gold, was resized from a ladies 6.5 to an 8 when we got engaged. I've lost ~40 pounds since then, and now wear a ring size 7, possibly a 6.5. (This surprised me, as I had worn a ring size 8 even before I lost weight). I wear my wedding band (size 7) on top of the engagement ring in an attempt to hold it down, but it is still annoying and twists like crazy around my finger.
I would like to resize the ring so it fits correctly, but I'm afraid that too many resizings will hurt the ring. I also worry about needing to resize the ring again if I gain the weight back eventually.
Does resizing a ring multiple times effect its quality? Are there any better alternatives or temporary solutions to help it fit better?
Cheers!
If you take it to a reputable jeweler, resizing it by adding or subtracting metal (not stretching or compressing) will not affect the integrity of the ring.
As I understand it, a resized ring will always be a bit weaker at the weld joint where extra material was either added or removed.
All rings have a solder joint.
posted by MaryDellamorte at 4:51 PM on December 1, 2014 [3 favorites]
As I understand it, a resized ring will always be a bit weaker at the weld joint where extra material was either added or removed.
All rings have a solder joint.
posted by MaryDellamorte at 4:51 PM on December 1, 2014 [3 favorites]
I've had my engagement ring resized twice and it hasn't been a problem. It's vintage from the 30's so it's probably been resized before that as well.
posted by radioamy at 5:45 PM on December 1, 2014
posted by radioamy at 5:45 PM on December 1, 2014
I had my engagement ring sized up from a 7 to an 8 when I got engaged and then back down to a 6 now after losing 80 lbs. The setting needed some tweaking when he sized it down, but it turned out great and is in great shape. I don't think two resizings would be harmful as long as you take it to a good jeweler.
posted by bedhead at 7:17 PM on December 1, 2014
posted by bedhead at 7:17 PM on December 1, 2014
A properly soldered joint in a piece of jewelry is no weaker than the rest of the metal.
According to my various jewelry texts, jewelry "soldering" ("hard soldering") is closer to what other metalworkers call "brazing" than it is to the kind of soft-solder glom-the-parts-together soldering that's used in electronics. This article discusses some of the differences, if you're interested.
Upon rereading, it also talks about why hard soldering doesn't cause weak joints: "If the work alloy is hot enough the metals in the solder actually start to permeate the surface of the work alloy. This actual mixing of both metals into a zone graduates in the middle of the gap to pure solder."
And the word "solder" has just completely deconstructed for me. But it's not giving me the squiggly red line, so…
posted by Lexica at 7:30 PM on December 1, 2014
According to my various jewelry texts, jewelry "soldering" ("hard soldering") is closer to what other metalworkers call "brazing" than it is to the kind of soft-solder glom-the-parts-together soldering that's used in electronics. This article discusses some of the differences, if you're interested.
Upon rereading, it also talks about why hard soldering doesn't cause weak joints: "If the work alloy is hot enough the metals in the solder actually start to permeate the surface of the work alloy. This actual mixing of both metals into a zone graduates in the middle of the gap to pure solder."
And the word "solder" has just completely deconstructed for me. But it's not giving me the squiggly red line, so…
posted by Lexica at 7:30 PM on December 1, 2014
I have a metalsmithing degree, and I worked repairing jewelry for a while.
Yes, it theoretically weakens the ring just because the metal has to be bent to resize it. However, it would take many, many resizings for it to become any kind of problem.
Don't worry about it, take it to someone reputable, and have a ring that fits.
posted by cmoj at 3:10 PM on December 2, 2014
Yes, it theoretically weakens the ring just because the metal has to be bent to resize it. However, it would take many, many resizings for it to become any kind of problem.
Don't worry about it, take it to someone reputable, and have a ring that fits.
posted by cmoj at 3:10 PM on December 2, 2014
Not only would it take a lot of resizings to cause a problem, but the problem it causes is also pretty easy to fix. Repeatedly bending a piece of metal initially work-hardens it and makes it more brittle so that that future attempts to bend it will start to fracture it instead of deforming it.
The process to reverse work-hardening is annealing and basically consists of heating and cooling the piece of metal to (and from) a temperature and at a rate that depends on the metal being annealed. Some tasks that jewelers have to perform require them to stop the task partway through, anneal their workpiece, and continue (often several times).
As a result, even if your ring were getting resized so many times as to weaken the metal, any reasonably competent jeweler would be able to notice it and reverse the weakening.
posted by kiwano at 9:34 PM on December 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
The process to reverse work-hardening is annealing and basically consists of heating and cooling the piece of metal to (and from) a temperature and at a rate that depends on the metal being annealed. Some tasks that jewelers have to perform require them to stop the task partway through, anneal their workpiece, and continue (often several times).
As a result, even if your ring were getting resized so many times as to weaken the metal, any reasonably competent jeweler would be able to notice it and reverse the weakening.
posted by kiwano at 9:34 PM on December 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
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You can also buy a clear plastic ring guard that will decrease the ring size, but I think that they're pretty unsightly and not really something I'd consider for long-term use.
As I understand it, a resized ring will always be a bit weaker at the weld joint where extra material was either added or removed.
posted by quince at 4:28 PM on December 1, 2014