5 Ways to Find Your Partner’s Ring Size (without spoiling the surprise)
If you’ve landed here, you’re probably about to propose to your partner. Congratulations!
Now, you might have already picked the location for the proposal, and even worked on what you’re going to say.
But when it comes to choosing the perfect ring for your other half, things are not as straightforward. You’ve never bought a ring before and have absolutely no idea how to pick the right size.
Well, the good news is that you’ve landed exactly in the right spot, as in this article we’re going to share five ways to find your partner’s ring size without them ever noticing a thing.
Borrow a ring
Now, this might sound very simple, but as famous and Nobel Prize-winning author William Golding once said ‘’ the greatest ideas are the simplest’’.
And so the simplest and most reliable solution, when you want to pick a ring and ensure you’ve got the right size, is to borrow one of your partner’s rings, preferably one she wears on her left ring finger, where the engagement ring will be worn. If she wears the ring you’re borrowing on the same finger but on the other hand, keep in mind that it’s very common for us humans to have slight differences in finger size, as we’re not exactly symmetrical. So the ring will still be very helpful for the jeweller to determine your partner’s left finger size, but you’ll need to mention the fact that your partner wears the ring you’ve borrowed on the right hand.
Now, to make sure your little borrowing situation doesn’t get noticed, bring the ring to the jeweller’s workshop or showroom immediately so they can determine the size using a mandril.
How do you measure your finger size without a ring mandril?
If you don’t want to go to a jewellery showroom or workshop, another option is to use a precise caliper. Now, you might not have one on hand, so you’ll still need to head to your local DIY store. Once you’ve got the tool, measure the inner diameter of the ring as accurately as possible, ideally to a tenth of a millimetre. Make sure to choose a ring that is not deformed; otherwise your measurement may be incorrect.
| Internal Diameter (mm) | US | AU / UK | EU |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15.7 | 4.75 | J | 49.5 |
| 15.9 | 5 | J½ | 50 |
| 16.1 | 5.25 | K | 50.5 |
| 16.3 | 5.5 | K½ | 51 |
| 16.5 | 5.75 | L | 52 |
| 16.7 | 6 | L½ | 52.5 |
| 16.9 | 6.25 | M | 53 |
| 17.1 | 6.5 | M½ | 54 |
| 17.3 | 6.75 | N | 54.5 |
| 17.5 | 7 | N½ | 55 |
| 17.7 | 7.25 | O | 55.75 |
| 17.9 | 7.5 | O½ | 56.25 |
| 18.1 | 7.75 | P | 57 |
| 18.3 | 8 | P½ | 57.25 |
| 18.5 | 8.25 | Q | 58 |
| 18.7 | 8.5 | Q½ | 58.5 |
| 18.9 | 8.75 | R | 59.5 |
| 19.1 | 9 | R½ | 60 |
| 19.3 | 9.25 | S | 60.5 |
| 19.5 | 9.5 | S½ | 61.25 |
| 19.7 | 9.75 | T | 62 |
| 19.9 | 10 | T½ | 62.5 |
| 20.1 | 10.5 | U | 63 |
| 20.3 | 10.75 | U½ | 64 |
| 20.5 | 11 | V | 64.25 |
| 20.7 | 11.25 | V½ | 65 |
| 20.9 | 11.5 | W | 65.5 |
| 21.1 | 11.75 | W½ | 66 |
| 21.3 | 12 | X | 66.5 |
| 21.5 | 12.25 | X½ | 67 |
Ask one of your partner’s friends to help
This is another reliable solution. Bring a friend, sister or cousin of your future fiancée along with you on this secret mission.. Now, the key is to choose a trustworthy person who can not only figure out the ring size discreetly, but also keep your secret safe. Once your accomplice has the ring size, make sure to take them with you to the jewellery store, as they might also be able to help you choose the style.
Now, of course, the idea is not to let them take control of the whole selection process, but rather to ask them to help guide you toward a few styles your future fiancée might be drawn to, and then let you make the final decision.
The little finger technique
If you aren’t able to borrow a ring from your partner while they’re away or without them noticing, and none of their friends or family members can assist, a third option is to measure the size of their ring using your little finger.
What we mean by that is that you’ll need to find a way to let them try one of their rings on your little finger and discreetly mark the spot where it sits.
This might sound silly, but this is a great way to get the information your jeweller will need to ensure you propose with a ring that fits your other half’s finger.
The ribbon trick
So this isn’t our first option, just because it requires you to be extremely subtle and to proceed almost like a ninja! What you’ll need to do is purchase a piece of ribbon (or thread) and once your partner is fast asleep, wrap it around their ring finger.
Here’s how to do it: wrap the tape at the base of their finger without tightening, mark the crossing point, then look at the size in millimetres and share this information with your jeweller.
The fake gift for someone else
This technique is ideal if your partner doesn’t wear rings or if you don’t have access to one of their rings.
Here again, you’ll need to enlist the help of a friend or family member. Ask them to pretend to be looking for a ring for themselves, take them to the jewellery shop and ask your partner’s opinion. They could encourage your partner to try on a few rings. And when they find one that fits comfortably, discreetly signal the jeweller.
The size isn’t right, what do I do?
Well, first of all, don’t panic!
Many of our clients at MDT DESIGN have the exact same challenge.
Finding the right ring size, especially when it’s a first-time purchase, isn’t always easy. But don’t worry: even if the size isn’t quite right, an experienced jeweller can adjust it so the ring fits perfectly.
At MDT DESIGN we understand that finding the perfect finger size when surprising your partner can be difficult, that is why we offer 2 complimentary resizes within the first year of purchase, to ensure your ring is fitting perfectly.
We specialise in 100% handmade jewellery, created in our Melbourne workshop. Our master jewellers will work closely with you to understand your needs and vision, helping you not only choose the correct size but also select the perfect ring style for your partner’s engagement ring.
Browse our collection of engagement rings or book an appointment today.
