QuestionMy fiance found a wedding band that he likes. It is sold at Costco in-store only. It is a two-tone white gold and gold band. It is the same as this platinum band on coscto.com:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=10045662&whse=BC&Ne=400000...
Costco only sells a size 10 in the store, but my fiance needs a size 11 or 11.5 (I don't know the exact size). I've read all your answers about resizing, but couldn't find anything about engraved rings.
Can this ring be resized larger without damaging the engraved pattern? Also, I know prices vary, but what does your shop charge for this type of resizing, if it can be done?
Thanks!
AnswerFollowup. Rosie, thanks for the rating. Since this is volunteer service with not a penny going to the expeerts, ratings do help keep us going!
This is the reason for the follow-up: Many makers do the carved or engraved bands. If Costco will not special order it for you in the correct size, try another store. Artcarved has been in the busisness of wedding rings and bands for many years and makes a fine product. Here are two links you might want to check out if Costco will not give you the service you need.
This is to a page allowing you to find a store near you.
http://www.artcarvedbridal.com/
There is a link to carved bands on the page. Both pages have the same url, for some reason.
Perhaps this will help if Costco will not. Thomas.
Sleep well and blessings on the two of you.
Rosie, thanks for this question. Just a day ago I had a similar band brought into our shop for upsizing. This one we believe we can do but at the customers risk. In most cases, the sizing goes just fine.
I suggest you check with the store and see if they can "special order" the engraved band in the correct size. Most stores will do that, rather than lose the sale.
Bands like you showed in the link(thanks very, very much for the link) are two parts. The white part is one piece of metal and the yellow is another piece of metal. The two parts are connected either with brazing(jewelry soldering) or simply by swaging. Swaging is a method of forcing one item to fit closely to another by pressure.
When soldered, the sizing generally goes ok. With swaged bands, it is iffy but generally is ok for a size or perhaps 1 1/2 sizes. The jeweler will first anneal the ring. That is bringing the ring to red hot to soften the metal and relieve any stress. Then, the ring is placed on an expanding mandrel(think of a tapered rod with several sides making it up). Inside the mandrel is a rod which makes the mandrel expand. The ring is placed on the mandrel and a handle pushed down to force the sides outward. This stretches the ring. Several careful attempts later the ring is the right size, stretched up to the correct and needed size.
Going up by stretching of two part bands is much safer in my experience then compressing to make the ring smaller. Going smaller will sometimes make the central metal part loose on the main ring part and it must be soldered to hold it securely.
Take the ring to a jeweler if Costco does not provide the service, ask if they feel comfortable stretching the ring up to the correct size. That will be your answer!
The best course to take is to have the ring special ordered in the correct size. Then, the responsibility is in the store and not with you. Be sure to get the finger measured accurately to start with!
Stretching will slightly change the engraved pattern but that is the least concern. The change in engraved portion will be minimal and when polished you will not notice any difference. The risk is separation of the two parts of the ring.
I do hope this answer will help you. Let me know if you need more info. Thanks again for the link. A picture is worth bunches in this business! : )
God Bless. Thomas. January 4, 2007 9:49PM
