Fig 1. How to roll a gold ring
There are times when your favorite ring becomes small, your finger is cramped in it, or even impossible to put it on. You do not want to just look at the jewelry as a museum piece, so there is a legitimate question – is it possible to increase the ring by half a size, a size or even more?
Situations when you need to increase the size of the ring, arise quite often. Here are the most common of them.
It’s even more frustrating when all the rings in your jewelry box are small. What to do with them? Far not always suitable advice “and you lose weight”. First of all, it is not tactful. Secondly, not always realizable, because physiology is a complex thing. So the question arises whether you can increase the size of the ring of gold or other metal, whether it is necessary to contact a jeweler or you can do it at home yourself.
By the way, this problem arises not only in the fair sex. The need to increase the size of the wedding ring almost more often arises in men. “No, no, dear, you will not go without a wedding ring. Come on, let’s decide what we’re going to do!”
So is it possible to increase the size of the ring at home
The process of increasing the size of gold rings in common parlance is called rolling. Rolling increases the diameter of the product, but it does not use additional gold, the weight of the ring remains the same. It becomes a little thinner.
Theoretically, you can roll a gold ring at home. The problems are two:
Skillful people offer the following options.
Fig 2. Jewelry ring expander
But the theory of theory, and guarantees that it will be possible to independently increase the size of the product and not spoil it, no one will give. It is especially risky to roll out rings with a beautiful design. Yes, gold is a soft and elastic metal, but this is both a plus and a minus: during rolling there is a risk of deforming it. Therefore, it is still advisable not to experiment, especially if the thing is dear to you, and to apply to increase the size of the ring in the workshop to professionals. In addition, this service at the jeweler is likely to cost not much more expensive than the purchase of tools for rolling. But the hassle is less and the result is guaranteed.
How to increase the size of the ring in the workshop
The easiest way to increase the size of a gold ring is to take the piece to a jewelry workshop. Specialists use three methods.
What method to use in your case, you will be told during the inspection of the product. Further you will decide whether you agree with the proposal and whether you will increase the ring. But it can be unequivocally stated that if professionals are going to use the second or third method, it will definitely not be possible to roll such a ring at home.
Is it possible to roll a ring with a diamond or other stones?
Many people are interested in the question of whether it is possible to increase the size of the ring with a stone. It is almost unrealistic to roll a diamond ring without damaging it. Jewelers use the method of mechanical stretching only in cases when the product has a width of no more than 10 mm, the stone is small and there are no design frills. But even in this case stretching is not always applicable.
Most often the technology of boring is used. This is the safest way to increase the size of a ring with a diamond or other gemstone without damaging the mounting. As a rule, this method allows you to increase the diameter by half a size. The method is suitable for models with a wide bar (bezel). Rings with a thin bezel are too fragile for this.
Sometimes jewelers use metal inserts, expanding diamond rings. But the result is not guaranteed.
If the stone’s setting has a single foot or other features that make it risk loosening the mounting when rolling, the jeweler may suggest first taking the stone out and then, after rolling, inserting it again. But such work, if the master still takes it up, is more expensive.
The process of increasing the size of rings with stones is much more complicated than the rolling of simple “wedding bands”. The main risk is that the fastening of the stone will become less strong, which means that the diamond may simply fall out after some time. It is not excluded that the master will refuse to roll out the ring with a stone, and if you beg and insist – will take up the work without guarantee: at your own risk.
When it is impossible to roll the ring
Alas, there are situations when even the most experienced and skillful jeweler will not take on increasing the size of the ring.
It is also worth considering that rolling the ring without loss of quality is usually only possible by half a size or a size. So if you want to roll the ring up three sizes, it’s best to abandon the idea.
So what to do if you want to increase the size of a gold ring
Fig 3. Broken ring when rolling out
If you want to know whether you can increase the size of your ring and what technology is best to apply – contact a professional craftsman. This is the easiest and safest solution.