The short answer is that some jewellery stores size rings correctly, and some don’t. It may sound very simplistic, but doing the work properly takes more time and does not take away the metal, your metal, from the ring (unless the ring is being sized down).  When sizing a ring up, metal should always be added, and that may not be the case in every instance.

What should I look for when I get my ring back from sizing?

Here are the top ten things to check when you get your ring back after sizing:

1. No seams are visible.
2. No small little holes or pits at the sizing joint are visible.
3. The metal used is a close colour match.
4. See if the ring is thinner or narrower. 
5. Make sure the ring is polished properly. 
6. There are no discoloured areas inside or outside the ring.
7. The ring is nicely rounded and shaped evenly.
8. Make sure the gemstones or diamonds are not burnt, fractured or missing.
9. The ring has been polished like new.
10. The ring was sized to fit properly.

I am not an expert; how can I tell?

Below are several examples of bad sizing jobs to illustrate what makes sizing a ring good or bad.

This ring came to us for sizing, but the client did not leave it with us to complete.

This is the same ring after a bad sizing job.  The bottom and sides of the ring shows cracks.  The discolored area is due to poor control of the heat applied and burns the metal.  This is called ‘fire scale’ and can be removed but is difficult to take off.

Side profile of the ring

Another view of the same ring as above.  Note how the ring is now thinner at the bottom and has not been properly rounded out.

Another before and after ring sizing.  The right is the ring after sizing up. The shank has been ‘shaved’ down needlessly.  The ring should be the same thickness or virtually the same after sizing.  In this case, gold was removed.

To the left are two views of a men’s ring that came to us for repair. The ring was never going to last for regular wear because the shank was thinned out, and the added metal was not welded properly.  That shows up what looks like small cracks at the bottom.

Why don’t I get my gold back when I size down the ring?

If the ring is being sized down one or two sizes, the amount of gold is extremely small and may be a sliver or a piece that was cut into a couple of even smaller pieces by the goldsmith.  Not only would the piece be hard to find, but the value would be very insignificant.

If you had a large ring and it was sized down a lot, then you do have the right to ask for your gold back.  At Troy Shoppe Jewellers, the gold left over is factored into the cost, and if our store keeps the gold, then the price is reduced.  It is your gold until you tell us otherwise.  And with the cost of gold rising, a small piece might be worth $40-$50. 

Please visit our jewellery repair page for more information on the price of ring sizing in Calgary. You are welcome to visit us and show us the ring that you would like to have sized, and to get a free estimate on the ring sizing. We will size your finger to ensure the proper fit. We have a workshop on site and three talented goldsmiths. Contact us today to learn more about the ring sizing Calgary trusts.