The best way is to go to 2-3 jewellery stores and ask to check the size by usage of metal measuring rings.
We start measuring using larger rings and then we move lower, to the smaller sizes. We do not stop measuring when it seems that the ring fits, we continue measuring downward until we state that the next ring is too tight – it means that the previous size is correct.
It is not important how the ring is put on the finger, it is important how it gets off – it is easier to put the ring on than to take it off. The ring should be taken off the finger with slight resistance (without exaggeration).
Description of ring size is another important issue
There are four types of size descriptions for professional measuring rings.
International ring sizes: 1-36 (used in Poland)
European ring sizes: 41-76 (circumference in mm)
USA ring sizes: 1-15
Size in mm: 13-24 (diameter in mm)
There are also letter sizes for example A, B, C etc. – they are mainly used in Great Britain and Ireland. Generally they are not used in measuring Polish jewellery.
What should you know before the measurement?
The size of a ring may vary according to:
• the season: in the summer the fingers are swollen due to higher temperature. When buying rings during heatwave it should be taken into consideration that, once it is colder, the ring may be too loose. In such cases, it is worthwhile to purchase rings which are placed on the finger at its widest point with a little resistance.
• physical extertion and stress: the ring size should not be measured after exercise. With high blood pressure the hands may get swollen, resulting in incorrect size of the ring.
• the width of the ring or the wedding ring. Measurement of ring size differs from measurement of the size od a wedding ring. In the case of wide jewellery (7-11 mm in width) we suggest to select a wedding ring from 1 to 2 sizes bigger.
The finger should not be measured by a calliper, to avoid compression, which leads to distortion of the measurement.
• the size of the same finger on right, and on the left hand varies by around 1 size
(depending if the person is right – or left handed).
• When buying rings for a pregnant woman they should also be bigger, even up to 2 sizes than regular. If we measure using a ring we already have, we should remember that the rings should not be dented, but rounded.
How to measure ring size at home?
You will need:
• a paper sheet
• a pen
• scissors
• ring size chart
Measuring size of the finger and matching its circumference to the correct ring size through usage of ring size charts
Cut out a long strip of paper sheet in a width similar to the width of the ring.
1. Mark a line on the strip in place which will be the starting point of the measurement.
2. Wrap the strip around the finger which you intend to measure. Remember that often it happens that the ankle of a finger in front of the place where you wear the ring is wider than the finger. Very often, both among women and men, it happens, that the ankle itself is considerably thicker than the root finger. You must take it into consideration when measuring as otherwise the purchased ring may not pass through the ankle.
3. Mark a line on the strip in a place, where the wrapped strip equates with the line that you have marked before..
4. Remember that the paper sheet, unlike a ring, has almost no thickness, thus when measuring it should slightly touch the finger. It surely should not squeeze the finger, as the measurement will not be reliable.
5. Measure the distance between the marked lines on the strip. It is the circumference of your finger.
6. Read from the ring size chart what is the size of your ring on the basis of the circumference determined by the measurement.
Measurement of the ring size using a ring you already have
Cut out a long strip of paper sheet in a width similar to the width of the ring.
1. Mark a line on the strip in place which will be the starting point of the measurement or use the scissors to shorten the strip, evening it..
2. Insert the strip from the inside of the ring in such a manner that it adheres exactly to its walls and covers the entire perimeter. Mark a line on the strip in a place where the wrapped strip lines up with the line (or the starting point), which you have marked before.
3. Measure the distance between the marked lines on the strip. It is the circumference of your finger.
4. Read from the ring size chart what is the size of your ring on the basis of the circumference determined by the measurement.
Ring sizes chart
| Europe (most) | English | US | Circumference (mm) | Diameter (mm) |
| 5 | G | 4 | 45 | 14,0 |
| 6 |
H
|
4
|
46 | 14,3 |
| 7 | 47 | 14,6 | ||
| 8 | I |
5
|
48 | 15,0 |
| 9 | J | 49 | 15,3 | |
| 10 | K | -6 | 50 | 15,6 |
| 11 |
L
|
6
|
51 | 16,0 |
| 12 | 52 | 16,3 | ||
| 13 | M | 53 | 16,6 | |
| 14 | N |
7
|
54 | 17,0 |
| 15 |
O
|
55 | 17,3 | |
| 16 | 7 | 56 | 18,0 | |
| 17 | P |
8
|
57 | 18,3 |
| 18 | Q | 58 | 18,6 | |
| 19 | R |
9
|
59 | 19,0 |
| 20 |
S
|
60 | 19,3 | |
| 21 | 9 | 61 | 19,6 | |
| 22 | T |
10
|
62 | 20,0 |
| 23 | U | 63 | 20,3 | |
| 24 |
V
|
-11 | 64 | 20,6 |
| 25 |
11
|
65 | 21,0 | |
| 26 | W | 66 | 21,3 | |
| 27 | X |
12
|
67 | 21,6 |
| 28 | Y | 68 | 22,0 | |
| 29 |
Z
|
-13 | 69 | 22,3 |
| 30 |
13
|
70 | 22,6 | |
| 31 |
Z+
|
71 | 23,0 | |
| 32 |
14
|
72 | 23,3 | |
| 33 |
Z++
|
73 | 23,6 | |
| 34 | 74 | 24,0 |