Know When You Can Resize Rings
Most jewelers will happily adjust a ring two sizes in either direction. More extreme adjustments can noticeably impact the look and structure of your jewelry.
Increasing the size of a gold or silver ring typically requires gently hammering the ring around a sizing shaft. This will cause the shank of the ring to thin slightly. In some rings the end result will not be perfectly round. Some jewelers will not resize platinum because of its density and strength.
To increase a ring more than one full size or to adjust a ring with stones, your jeweler may prefer to make an incision in the ring to remove or insert extra metal. This adjustment may leave a visible seam or an invisible weak point, but a professional jeweler can position flaws out of sight.
Understand Necklace Sizing
Necklaces traditionally come in seven lengths. Depending on the length, the necklace will hang to a different part of the wearer's body.
10- to 13-inch necklaces: Short necklaces, such as chokers, wrap close around the neck and measure 10 to 13 inches long.
16- to 18-inch necklaces: Certain chains, lockets, strands, and chokers measure between 16 and 18 inches long. They stay close to the neck. Attached pendants lie above the breastbone.
17- to 20-inch necklaces: Many chains, strands, and lockets, as well as some longer chokers measure between 17 and 20 inches long, meet at top of breastbone, and can attach pendants.
20- to 24-inch necklaces: Chains measuring 20 to 24 inches long meet at the top of the bust line. Certain strands, chokers, and pendant necklaces also come in these lengths.
28- to 34-inch necklaces: Long, 28 to 34-inch necklaces hang at or below the bust line or are worn as a doubled strand.
Necklaces 40 inches and longer: Often worn doubled or tripled, necklaces measuring more than 40 inches long can also hang at, or below, the navel.
Necklaces 48 inches and longer: Often used for long strands, necklaces measuring more than 48 inches long usually wrap or knot around the neck without a clasp.
Most jewelers will happily adjust a ring two sizes in either direction. More extreme adjustments can noticeably impact the look and structure of your jewelry.
Increasing the size of a gold or silver ring typically requires gently hammering the ring around a sizing shaft. This will cause the shank of the ring to thin slightly. In some rings the end result will not be perfectly round. Some jewelers will not resize platinum because of its density and strength.
To increase a ring more than one full size or to adjust a ring with stones, your jeweler may prefer to make an incision in the ring to remove or insert extra metal. This adjustment may leave a visible seam or an invisible weak point, but a professional jeweler can position flaws out of sight.
Understand Necklace Sizing
Necklaces traditionally come in seven lengths. Depending on the length, the necklace will hang to a different part of the wearer's body.
10- to 13-inch necklaces: Short necklaces, such as chokers, wrap close around the neck and measure 10 to 13 inches long.
16- to 18-inch necklaces: Certain chains, lockets, strands, and chokers measure between 16 and 18 inches long. They stay close to the neck. Attached pendants lie above the breastbone.
17- to 20-inch necklaces: Many chains, strands, and lockets, as well as some longer chokers measure between 17 and 20 inches long, meet at top of breastbone, and can attach pendants.
20- to 24-inch necklaces: Chains measuring 20 to 24 inches long meet at the top of the bust line. Certain strands, chokers, and pendant necklaces also come in these lengths.
28- to 34-inch necklaces: Long, 28 to 34-inch necklaces hang at or below the bust line or are worn as a doubled strand.
Necklaces 40 inches and longer: Often worn doubled or tripled, necklaces measuring more than 40 inches long can also hang at, or below, the navel.
Necklaces 48 inches and longer: Often used for long strands, necklaces measuring more than 48 inches long usually wrap or knot around the neck without a clasp.
