How to Measure Your Jewellery Size at Home
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to measure your jewellery size at home! Getting the right fit for your rings, bangles, and necklaces is crucial for both comfort and style. In this guide, we’ll walk you through easy and accurate methods to measure your sizes, ensuring that your cherished pieces adorn you perfectly. Whether you’re a seasoned jewellery aficionado or just starting your collection, these tips will prove invaluable.
Why Measuring Before Buying Handmade Jewellery Matters
Purchasing handmade jewellery is a meaningful investment, and ensuring the right fit is essential. Ill-fitting pieces not only lack comfort but can also affect their overall appearance. Imagine a ring that constantly slips or a necklace that sits too high or too low. By measuring your sizes beforehand, you’re guaranteeing that each piece compliments your features and style flawlessly. This attention to detail demonstrates a genuine appreciation for the craftsmanship and design, allowing you to truly enjoy the beauty and elegance of your chosen jewellery. So, before you make that special purchase, take a moment to measure – it’s a small step that makes a world of difference.
How To Measure Your Ring Size At Home
There are several ways to measure your finger size.
The most accurate way is to get your finger measured by a jeweller using a ring sizer, or to take a ring that fits the correct finger on the correct hand for measurement.
If you want to measure at home, the best way to find out your size is to find a ring that fits the finger you want to wear it on. Make sure the ring is completely round and a similar width to the one you want to buy.
Measure the inside diameter of the ring and compare it to the chart below to find your ring size. You need to be as accurate as possible, as small changes in the diameter can make a big difference to the size.
Alternatively, tie a piece of thread around your finger and mark the point where it overlaps. Measuring this length will tell you the circumference which you can convert into a UK ring size using the chart below. Make sure this length of string fits snugly around your finger but moves over your knuckle comfortably.
Things To Consider When Measuring Your Ring Size
Size scales: All of our jewellers work with the UK ring size scale; however, different countries and/or companies may use different scales.
Temperature: weather, temperature, exercise, weight gain or loss, and pregnancy can affect your ring size. When your fingers are cold, your ring size will be smaller, and larger when your fingers are hot. Many people find they have rings they can only wear in winter or summer months, particularly with wider bands.
Band width: A wider ring will feel tighter in the same size as a thinner ring so, to be comfortable, you may need to go up one or two sizes.
Knuckle-to-finger ratio: If you need a larger ring size to get over a pronounced knuckle but otherwise have slim fingers, you may find that a ring with a stone setting or large central feature on top will swivel around the finger. Try using stacking rings either side of the main ring band to help secure the ring.
How To Measure Your Bangle Size
Bangle size is determined by the size of your hand and not your wrist.
If you already have a bangle that fits, then you can measure the inside diameter of the bangle. First of all, place the bangle on a flat surface and use a ruler to measure one side of the bangle to the other.
To measure your hand, tuck your thumb into the palm of your hand (as if about to put on a bangle) and using tailor’s tape, measure your hand all the way around the set of knuckles closest to your wrist, from knuckle to knuckle. This will give an inner circumference.
You can also use a strip of paper and mark the overlap, then flatten it out and measure the length accurately.
All our bangles are handmade and, therefore, will vary in size. However, “standard” bangle sizes are usually:
Small = 6 cm Inside Diameter
Medium = 6.5 cm Inside Diameter
Large = 7 cm Inside Diameter
Things To Consider When Measuring Your Bangle Size
Knuckles-to-wrist ratio: You may find that you have a larger hand and slim wrists and that bangles feel very loose on the arm. If you would prefer a tighter fit, you may want to consider a hinged or open bangle, which can be slipped on at the wrist rather than over the hand.
What are standard necklace chain lengths?
16’, 18” and 20” are the most common lengths, with 18” being the most popular.
How a necklace fits depends on your shape and size, and a 16” chain can be too tight for some people.
As a rule of thumb, the larger the pendant, the longer the chain should be, but this is a personal choice.
What is a Silver Hallmark?
If you’re in the market for high-quality silver jewellery, it’s essential to understand the significance of silver hallmarks. These small marks can tell you a lot about the composition and authenticity of the piece you’re considering purchasing. Hallmarks are essentially stamps or engravings that indicate the silver content, maker’s mark, and other important information. The stamps vary depending on which assay office is used as each have their own unique mark. Assay offices are located in London (leopard), Birmingham (anchor), Sheffield (rose) and Edinburgh (castle).
Silver is legally required to be hallmarked in the UK if it weighs over 7.78 grams. Anything under this weight does not have to be hallmarked for sale.
Jewellery Care Guide
Silver jewellery responds well to being worn as the oils in your skin keep it looking shiny.
Silver is best cleaned in lukewarm soapy water. Silver jewellery can be polished with a silver cloth – these are impregnated with chemicals which help to remove tarnish and are soft enough to not scratch the metal. You can use these cloths until they are black – they shouldn’t be washed. Do not use tissue paper or paper towels as they can cause scratching.
You should remove jewellery before showering, bathing or swimming as chemicals found in toiletries and pools can cause tarnishing.
Avoid spraying perfume or applying creams directly onto your jewellery. Jewellery should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off – this also avoids snagging on clothing.
Bleaches, household chemicals, and cleaning products can cause damage and tarnishing to jewellery so please remove your jewellery before handling them.
Store your jewellery in the packaging it came in or individually in an airtight bag wherever possible as exposure to the air can cause tarnishing. This will also protect it from knocks and scratches. If you will be storing a piece for a long period of time, adding an anti-tarnish strip can slow down the process.
Although most metals are hard wearing, you should always make sure to remove your jewellery when doing activities which would exert pressure on the item, such as gardening, housework, building etc, to avoid misshaping and bending.
Please store snake chains flat and do not bend beyond their natural curve.
What are the main causes of tarnish?
Tarnishing is caused by oxygen and moisture coming into contact with precious metal and all precious metals can tarnish to some degree. It is often thought that pure or fine silver doesn’t tarnish. However, it does, just more slowly and in a less noticeable way than sterling silver.
It is normal for sterling silver to tarnish. This is because the silver has been alloyed with copper, which has the benefit of making the metal harder and more suitable for a wider variety of uses than pure silver, which is very soft. However, copper tarnishes easily.
Very rarely, the pH levels of the skin may affect the tarnish rate of jewellery; this affects about 2-3% of people, and when the silver makes contact with the skin, it can leave a black or green mark.
Remember, jewellery is more than adornment; it’s an expression of your unique style and personality. By taking the time to measure your sizes correctly and understanding how to care for your pieces, you’re investing in their longevity and ensuring they continue to shine for years to come. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Happy accessorising!
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