Consumer Information on Buying Rings Online
Cute little Southwestern .925 silver design I found in a shop, but it is only a size 6.
So buying for a 9 to re-size is a bad idea...
The cyber world has become a main stay for shoppers of all incomes and almost all countries. For people on the move it is convenient way to get things done, but can be a difficult process when buying certain items that need to be specifically fitted. One of these categories is buying rings. I buy a lot of sterling and vintage rings and pins for my store because they are an item that I cannot make, but are in great demand. Many people want an organized pulled together look so that means I have to be on the look out for pieces that match my handmade products, but they have to be an exact fit for the look and the size. I have learned some valuable things that can help my customers with getting the products that they want and avoiding hassles that can be time consuming and even embarrassing.
Sizes
An ugly truth about rings in sizing is that they are not standardized by any means. Mandrels, the rods used to create rings and to size them are close approximates even one purchased within the same company sometimes. Expensive mandrels used by top notch manufacturing companies can vary from one to the other, even though they do tend to be most accuarate. Here are some hints to help you get what you need.
First of all try to buy from a place where you have bought something in person first. Most companies use an in house standard so that their products are uniform. A major online outlet manager confessed that they had an epic fail trying to get their multi branded products sized universally, so they went with ordering from their supplier in their sizes, to relabeling sizes according to an in house weights and measures group. The reason this had to be done is that even measuring mandrels that are supposed to be the from the same company, can vary from 1/4 to one full size in measurements. It was causing huge discrepancies in the retailers sizing within brands that were full filled in different locations. Chances are if you order for example from JCCoin Store and they have a size 8 product, all of their JCCoin branded items will be the same for the most part. If you switch brands though, you cannot be guaranteed a fit even though JCCoin is the carrier. So a Little Molly Madeup Brand sold at JCCoin might not be the same as a JCCoin item. This is true even if your store of choice has been in partnership with a brand for a long time.
International:
Most people in the USA wear an average ring size of 8 - 9 and can find what they want within products made in the USA. However in Brazil that is the same as an 18-19. With an online international market place you need to remember that sizing is going to be an even bigger issue. I wear a 21 in Brazilian rings made in Brazil, and a 22 in rings made in Asia, that I bought in Brazil. It is best to read the reviews left behind by other consumers from your country, especially the comments on sizing. If they say "it runs large" then try to adjust your size before you order from the company - but keep in mind that the sizes they will give you are information based on their weights and measures from their country. You can message many retailers who will give you an idea of what their sizes run and what their customers have to say, but remember a fore mentioned advice. Knowing also the thickness of a shank, or the band portion of a ring makes a difference. Rings that are thicker or wider can often require a 1/4 to a one half size larger in the shank is wider than normal. Remember that you can find online sizing charts that can help you convert the sizes properly, but check more than one for the best results.
Brazilian Spinner Ring with Lord's prayer in Portuguese.
Materials:
Buying real gold or silver it is not unusual to have to re-size a ring for a custom fit. You want to keep in mind that these kinds of things are better done with a local jeweler of a reputable name. While you can buy anywhere, many of my customers have been taken in by plated jewelry or by lack of knowledge where stamping is concerned, thinking they would have a ring re-sized to fit that was bought online. You need know your marks and stamps to determine if an item is indeed real. For example alpaca is a valuable alloy used in Central and South America and it is marked, but it is not sterling silver by any means. Rings that are made of alpaca "silver" are not always acceptable to local jewelers for work. Sterling and gold though are almost always available for sizing within the "two up - two down" sizing guides.
Reality Says:
Heirlooms are not always what we think. Alloys have been used in jewelry since the early 1800's and sometimes Great Aunt Edie's stuff looks real, but is in truth just costume so they cannot be re-sized. Most jewelers will not touch an unmarked piece. Also keep in mind that pregnancy, age, weight loss or gain can cause issues with rings. Most jewelers will go up or down two sizes maximum. Adding size can cost you more than sizing down if more material is needed to re-bond a ring. Re-sizing involves cutting bands and you need to be sure that it will not be weak when re-bonded. Rings with no stones and little extra details such as filigree or scroll work are better for adjustments. Therefore it is important that you try to get an idea of someone's ring size before gift buying.
What you pay for is what you get! If you buy a ring from a discount wholesale group it might be stamped . 925 or 18 K, but is plated. Other countries are not required to use the same standards as the USA or Europe, so buyer beware! Also you need to remember that not all Ebay or Etsy sellers know what they are doing. If you are buying a gift for someone, please have it sent to you first, with plenty of time for a return. This will save you embarrassment! Also remember that sterling silver is VERY soft metal. It will bend easily and can be easily misshapen. You need to consider shank thickness or getting a rhodium plated silver for band protection*. *Rhodium is not re-sizable.
I hope that this article is helpful! You can see items at my store by clicking on the below link.
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