Why do engagement rings turn on the finger?
If you’re one of the many owners of an engagement ring that keeps turning, you might wonder why this happens.
Some wearers experience the setting moving out of place — rarely staying central, correctly positioned. This can be very frustrating, especially if it keeps happening. In extreme cases, an engagement ring can rotate entirely around the finger.
A large setting for a solitaire ring – Aquamarine approx. 10 carats in size.
In our latest video, we’ve added 10 minutes of guidance on ring fit and suggested solutions to some of the common issues faced regarding ring fit.
During a recent conversation with one of our clients, I was asked whether large settings (and BIG diamonds) cause a diamond ring to become top-heavy. Elizabeth Taylor possibly experienced this problem, but for most people, it’s a simple case of the ring being too large.
A loose, spinning engagement ring usually results from a finger size that is too large. Perhaps your ring never fitted properly from day one. Or perhaps it happens seasonally — the ring has become looser over time. If your ring is not snug, the finger could easily slip. Your finger must make firm contact with the surface around the entire inner surface of the ring. Engagement rings don’t generally move much because the prominent setting rests alongside your other fingers.
Do wide rings fit better than narrow rings?
Wider bands or multiple rings make contact with more surface area across the finger. As a result, a wider spread of rings will fit tighter than a single band. A wide expanse of multiple rings (or even stacking diamond rings) will fit like a wide band.
Wide set of stacking rings, featuring a central twist ring, shaped diamond wedding ring and shaped diamond eternity ring. (By bespoke design via Serendipity Diamonds)
How loose should your wedding ring be?
Your wedding ring should sit with a similar snug fit to your engagement ring without being too tight. At the same time, there should be no movement of rings or discomfort.
How to stop your wedding ring from turning
Suppose your wedding ring continues to turn. Or, if you have prominent knuckles, we sometimes fit small beads inside a wedding band.
Engagement ring bands to prevent spinning
Some engagement ring bands feature style elements to reduce rings turning on the finger. The Euroshank engagement ring design features a shank with a squared shape on the outside. This helps to prevent the ring from moving and keeps the band in place. We create this band style through our bespoke design service, available for most engagement ring setting styles.
The difficulty with ring size and large knuckles
We discussed at length the difficulty anyone with skinny fingers and large knuckles faced. It can be tricky to get a ring over the knuckle. Once over the knuckle, the ring feels loose.
Big knuckles can impact the fit of an engagement ring when fingers are very slim
What to do if your engagement ring won’t stay in place
The simplest solution would be to arrange for your ring to be professionally re-sized to the correct finger size. Ensure that your ring finger measurement is accurate to ensure the new size is accurate. Choose a finger size that is snug without discomfort. Some people experience a changing finger size. Variations from one week to another impact the ease of determining size. In such circumstances, we recommend choosing a snug size. This site should never feel loose.
Temporary solutions to a loose ring
There are various solutions for ill-fitting rings that are too loose when worn. One example we found involves a cut-to-size spiral of flexible plastic. Unlike metal ring clips, this solution does not scratch the ring.
These are pretty cheap and a short-term solution for loose rings available on various websites including Amazon.
What are the risks of a loose engagement ring?
Remember that if your ring slips sideways, it is at greater risk of sliding off the finger. Ensure you have adequate insurance on your ring, just in case the unthinkable happens. Jewellery insurance policies typically cover the risk of accidental loss or damage to rings. Some insurers go further by covering items for worldwide coverage. Some insurers offer Gemcheck cards following a claim which can be redeemed at retail jewellers.
Consider the risks and make sure you have insurance.
A ring slipping on the finger can indicate that your ring is too large. This is an issue that affects so many people — we hear this often. Seek a professional size assessment from a reputable jeweller. Invest in the small cost to have your ring re-sized to alleviate this problem. Your ring will then fit comfortably without moving. On a final note, just in case the worst happens, and your ring is lost, make sure you take out an engagement ring insurance policy that will protect you from loss and accidental damage.
Getting your engagement ring sized – ring styles to avoid
If you’re likely to need a ring size adjustment in the future, consider how suitable your chosen design is for re-size work. Avoid tension-style ring settings. Changing the ring size impacts the setting. Choose a claw set ring design. Claws are more easily re-tensioned following sizing work. In addition, choose a ring width with substance. Many retail jewellers offer rings with very slim bands. Resizing often thins the band of a ring, so opt for a 2.5mm wide band where possible.
The effect of big settings and thin bands on engagement ring fit
If you have a thin engagement ring band with a very large gemstone setting, the effect can be more pronounced. But only if your ring is incorrectly sized. This is a very good indication that your engagement ring is too large.
One of our bespoke Tanzanite and diamond halo engagement rings with a very large gemstone setting.
About Mark Johnson
My name is Mark and I'm founder at Serendipity Diamonds. By day you'll find me working in our showroom—in a variety of roles. My work (which I love) ranges from photographing jewellery, to writing blog posts and helping clients with my colleagues Drina, Emily and Debbie.
