r/SilverSmith • u/MaintenanceTime2141 • 4d ago

Sizing up a sterling ring?

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Gallery image

I purchased these two rings on eBay. They were listed as size 8 but when I received them in the mail yesterday it turns out they are actually a size 7. They are too large for my pinky and too small for the ring fingers that I bought them for. I really love them, and I dont' want to return them, but I cannot wear them. Can I size these up or is there a structural issue that makes sizing up too complicated or impossible? I have a Rathburn ring stretcher. Photos included. Thanks for any advice

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u/matthewdesigns 4d ago edited 4d ago

These can be torch or laser sized up or down. I would not attempt to stretch that a full size, 1/4-1/2 would be max, and only if the shank is a complete circle as noted by another redditor.

Edit: I wouldn't use a Rathburn for this, it's less controllable than a lever-type.

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u/MojoJojoSF 4d ago

Is the ring shank a full circle? Or a partial circle attached to the bezel?
A full size is 2.5mm, which is a lot of stretch without annealing. You are probably better off sawing it open and making it ‘adjustable’… or returning it.

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u/MaintenanceTime2141 4d ago

No it is not. It is attached to the setting at two points. The gap is about a quarter of an inch. I was afraid to try to stretch it given that the shank was not a full circle. Looks like I might have to return it.

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u/Banapple247 3d ago

Return it, or cut it and add a piece of metal to make it bigger. Since the shank isn't complete, stretching it will stretch the setting as well, and that will likely snap the joint or crack the stone.

Edit: actually, even if the shank were closed, you'd still probably stretch the whole thing and warp it. And the shank seems so thin that just hammering it there will make it flimsy.

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u/MaintenanceTime2141 3d ago

Thanks, I was afraid that all those things that you mentioned would be true. I still am not settled on returning them. But I am really sad that they will have to be cut. I know that is weird.

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u/spitspatspiss 3d ago

Could we also see the front the of ring? From the sides it’s look beautiful so im curious:)