How to Size a Surprise Ring in Perth

A surprise proposal asks you to guess a number you cannot see. Most of the anxiety is unnecessary. We would rather you bring a borrowed ring and leave a little room to adjust than invent a size from a photo or a late-night chart.

Resizing is done in our Cottesloe workshop, including rings we did not make. The goal is a ring that can be proposed with confidence and fitted properly afterwards, not a perfect first guess.

How do I find their ring size secretly?

Borrow a ring worn on the same finger and bring it in. You can also trace the inside of a ring on paper, or ask someone close to them. When in doubt, size conservatively. A ring that is slightly small is easier to live with for a week than one that spins off at the sink.

Same finger matters. A ring from the right hand will mislead you. A ring worn on a different finger of the left hand will mislead you more. Width matters too: a wide band needs a touch more room than a fine one on the same finger. If you cannot borrow the right piece, a conservative workshop size plus a planned resize is safer than a confident wrong number.

In Perth, fingers also change with heat. A size taken on a cold morning can feel tight in February. We allow for that at the bench, and we would rather you come back after the proposal than guess a summer size from a winter ring.

What if the size is wrong after the proposal?

We resize in our own workshop. Bring the piece for an honest quote. Most modern rings can move a size or two without drama. Some antique shanks, tension settings or fully eternity bands have tighter limits, and we will say so before any work starts.

Tell us at the design stage if a surprise resize is likely. A plain shank is kinder to later adjustment than a band paved all the way around. That is a making decision, not a sales pitch. If the ring is already made, bring it in before you assume a resize is simple. We will say if the setting or the stone layout limits how far the shank can move.

Can you tell a size from a photograph?

No. A photo is not enough for a reliable size. Perspective, a wide band versus a thin one, and whether the ring was even on the correct finger all defeat a picture. Bring the borrowed ring, or come in and we will help you plan a conservative size.

Apps and printable charts have the same problem at home: paper scale and screen scale lie. We would rather see the metal.

Is shopping together allowed?

Yes. Many couples choose the ring together. A private appointment gives you time with styles and sizes without guessing. There is no loss of romance in knowing the ring will fit on the day.

If the proposal is still a surprise but the style is not, one partner can visit first and the other can join for the fitting. We are used to discreet emails and careful language on invoices.

What should I bring to a sizing visit?

The borrowed ring if you have one, any idea of how the wearer uses their hands, and the proposal date if it is fixed. If you are commissioning a bespoke ring, say early that size may change after the day. We will keep the shank friendly to a clean resize.

Walk-ins are welcome in opening hours. An appointment holds a jeweller's time if you want the conversation unhurried. If you are nervous about a paper trail, say so. We are used to invoices and emails that do not give the surprise away.