Ring Reducer vs Cutting Ring?

[pacman]

Hello. When do you use a ring reducer similar to the picture vs cutting the ring and resoldering it at the correct size? This is for simple gold bands. Wondering about pros and cons of each.



Cheers!

[brad]

I have never tried to resize a ring, and have only made one. I will follow the replies. Welcome, I am a newbie to the this board as well.
brad

[caeterle]

Welcome to the forum!
I'm not a metalsmith and only ever had rings sized up myself, but I found a few articles on the matter, these are two examples (with video).

Cookson Gold

Halstead

From what I read it's a matter of not distorting the ring or a possible pattern when resizing and that there's a limited difference for the possible size reduction.
If it's really as easy as in the video on the second page, it's definitely less work than cutting and soldering, I would think. I guess it's a matter of how many rings you want or need to resize, though.

[pacman]

Many thanks brad and caeterie!

[Irith-Rita]

The sites that Cat has recommended describe it well and professionally.

Personally I do not like to resize my handmade rings to smaller sizes so I do not use ring reducers. I simply prefer to make a similar ring in a smaller size, and would use this only for bands without stones.

I think it might slightly affect the design and thickness of the band.

[jewelryfantasyworld]

A ring reducer or ring sizing insert is a small metal or plastic band that is placed inside the ring to make it fit more snugly on the finger. Ring reducers are a great option if the ring is only slightly too big and needs to be resized by a half size or less. They are a temporary solution that can easily be removed if the ring needs to be resized again in the future.

Cutting the ring and resoldering it at the correct size, on the other hand, is a more permanent solution that is typically used when the ring needs to be resized by more than a half size. This process involves cutting the ring shank and removing a small section of the metal, then resoldering the ends back together. It requires the skill of a professional jeweler and can be more expensive than using a ring reducer.

In general, if the ring needs to be resized by more than a half size or if it is made of a delicate metal such as platinum or has intricate details that could be damaged during the resizing process, it is best to have it cut and resoldered by a professional jeweler. If the ring only needs to be resized by a half size or less, a ring reducer can be a convenient and cost-effective solution.

[caeterle]

I wonder how many people actually wear an insert, I have never met one myself.
This question, however, was about a tool to make a ring smaller, not an insert. It's a pity pacman never came back to tell us what he finally decided on.

[DawninCal]

I remember when I was in high school and the boys would give their class ring to their girlfriends to wear to indicate they were "going steady." Boy, did I ever just date myself!

Because the boys rings were too big for the girls fingers, they would wrap masking tape around the shank to make it fit. I guess you could call that a do it yourself version of a ring reducer.

Of course, some girls simply opted to wear the ring on a chain around their necks, but most of them went the tape route.



Dawn

[brad]

Feb 26, 2023 12:50:11 GMT -6 DawninCal said:

I remember when I was in high school and the boys would give their class ring to their girlfriends to wear to indicate they were "going steady." Boy, did I ever just date myself!

Because the boys rings were too big for the girls fingers, they would wrap masking tape around the shank to make it fit. I guess you could call that a do it yourself version of a ring reducer.

Of course, some girls simply opted to wear the ring on a chain around their necks, but most of them went the tape route.



Dawn

I saw many a boys ring on his "steady", with just a red rubber band wrapped tightly behind the face of the class ring.  My folks worked to hard to pay for our rings, and I was not about to let some girl run off with it....now in full disclosure, no girl in high school ever indicated she would like to "go steady" with me. 

       Brad

[caeterle]

We don't have class rings in Germany, so that problem never occurred to me!

Brad, you were probably always destined for Marilyn

[Irith-Rita]

Feb 26, 2023 11:38:51 GMT -6 caeterle said:

I wonder how many people actually wear an insert, I have never met one myself.
This question, however, was about a tool to make a ring smaller, not an insert. It's a pity pacman never came back to tell us what he finally decided on.

Cat, no need for you to wonder whether you met one. I am right here:)

I bought an antique gold ring with stones a few years ago. It is slightly large for my finger so I made an insert ring for it and it fits both - the inside of the ring and my finger. I wear it every time I go out because I really love it.(when I am back at home I remove all my jewelry including rings).

I made the inside ring because I was afraid that even though there are methods of cutting and soldering to smaller sizes when the stones are still on the ring, I didn't wish to take the chance of ruining it.

[caeterle]

Interesting! Would you show us a picture, Irith?

[Irith-Rita]

OK as I just saw your request, and I only have electric light right now, here it is for you Cat :

The two rings:




Showing my hand with the insert ring over the stone set ring before pressing it in:




After having pressed it in:


On my finger with the inside ring:



I made the inside ring in 14K to suit the color of the original ring.

So now you saw one yourself:)
Thanks.