Is it possible to increase the size of a ring made of gold or other metal

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.

• The complexion has changed. Especially often this happens with age – rings that were bought in youth, become small.
• Swelling of the fingers. This problem is not always related to weight, swelling has various physiological causes. For example, heart disease, kidney disease. One of the most common is pregnancy. Looking at the future mother on the ring finger – and thinks, how now to put a wedding ring on it?
• You liked the smaller ring. The model was so good or the promotion in the store so favorable that you decided to take a small ring with the hope of increasing its diameter.
• The ring was bought for a teenage girl. Very beautiful, you want to wear it and wear it, but it is small!
• The product was bought without trying it on. For example, as a gift, not calculating the size, or in an online store. Oops – it doesn’t fit.
• The ring came from relatives. Family ring inherited, but here’s a shame – the wrong size.

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:

• special tools are needed;
• experience is required to avoid damaging the ring while rolling.

Skillful people offer the following options.

• With the help of a metal cone. A cone of suitable size is wrapped in foil, then a ring is put on it. Below the ring, a mark is made on the cone, corresponding to the diameter of the finger. This is the level to which the product should be lowered. Then, tapping with a hammer with a rubber surface, the ring is stretched and advanced down the cone. Some say that in order to roll the wedding ring, it is necessary to pre-heat it with a gas burner: the metal will become more elastic. Others believe that you can do without heating. In the first case, the procedure is more complicated and risky, in the other case – longer and more labor-intensive.
• With the help of a special jewelry reamer. The reamer can be purchased in online stores. The ring is put on the device, and then a hammer comes into play. The cost of the reamer starts from 1000 rubles.

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.

• Mechanical stretching. This option is the simplest and the most budget-friendly. The ring retains its weight and shape, the diameter is increased by 1-2 sizes. Sometimes it is possible to increase the ring by three sizes, but it loses in quality. This method is not universal: it is used for simple products without complex decorations and inserts. Another limitation is the width of the ring. Stretching is used for products with a thin bezel. The wider the ring – the more complicated the process. Wide rings do not stretch.
• Adding a metal insert. The jeweler cuts the ring and adds a piece of gold, then solders. If done professionally, the seams will not be visible. The advantages of this method are that the thickness of the piece will be preserved. Not only the size will increase, but also the weight – that is, the thing will even become more valuable. If you have scrap gold – for example, a broken earring that you do not intend to repair – you can give it for insertion. This will save on metal.
• Ring boring. This technology is used to increase the size of rings with complex decor, with precious stones. The method allows you to expand the diameter of rings, wide and thick rings, products with a complex shape. At the same time, the weight of the product is slightly reduced, since the inner side of the metal is flaked.

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.

• If the model is enameled, it can “float” and the look will be ruined.
• The stones are located directly on the bezel. When rolling the diamonds can fall out.
• The setting is weak, so there is a high risk of losing a diamond.
• The ring is made of two types of gold. Sometimes masters take on such work, but it will be very difficult and expensive, because colored gold has different plasticity due to the different composition.
• The model is fluted, openwork, with a very intricate design.
• Patterns are blown directly on the rim 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.