Question
Jade Ring
Hi Thomas. I want to purchase a Jade ring but it is a size 7 1/4 and I need it to be resized to 5. I want to know if it will be possible. I live in South Africa and intend ordering the ring from the USA. We have very good German jewelers here but I have heard that some rings cannot be resized. I am attaching a picture of the ring. Thanks very much. Regards, Rhett
AnswerFollow-up to Rhett: Rhett, thank you for the excellent ratings. This note is to say thanks and to let you know that I am located in the USA. I thought you used the UK scale and appreciated you sending the sizes in the scale I am directly familiar with. Either is ok since I have a chart to quickly convert one scale to another. I hope you find the ring you want and in a design which may be sized readily. You need not reply to this note. God Bless. Thomas.
Rhett,
Thanks for the sizes in USA scale. I believe you use the same letter scale as the UK. The scale used is not important as long as we know how much the circle of the ring must change to reach the new size.
I figure the circumference of the ring at 7 1/4 to be very close to 55mm. That is the inside measure around the circle. A size 5 is right at 49mm, making a difference of 6mm. This means
6mm of metal would need to be cut from the band at the bottom of the ring. Then, the ends would need to be brought together and brazed. Do you see any problem with making the ring into a smaller circle?
The jade is cut and polished to specifically fit the size the ring now is. Jade will not bend. The stone is inlaid into the ring top and even if removed then the ring is made smaller, the jade would not fit the new form of the place the stone was originally. So, the most correct answer is: NO to sizing this ring.
A jeweler may look at the ring, see how it is constructed, etc., and tell you the sides may be brought together by leaving the top the same original circular form and making the sides form sort of an egg shape of the ring. This is risky even if the ring is well built. One problem is if sized to an egg shape the fit may not be just right. Also, during daily wear pressure on the ring may tend to round the ring out, putting pressure and a bending force on the top of the ring which is likely the thinnest and weakest portion of the ring construction. The jade could be lost or broken.
If you were purchasing the ring locally and the seller became responsible for the ring, you might be ok with an egg shape or not. When ordered and shipped to you, you will be responsible once any work is done to the ring. I fear that would result in disappointment.
Rhett, I wish I could say, "Yes, go for it." Unfortunately, I cannot recommend purchasing this ring with anticipation of making the size smaller, or larger for that matter.
I do hope this answer will help.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
