How to secretly find out someone’s ring size
Please don’t tell my daughter, but I oftentimes encourage lying – white lies driven by love. Let’s call them “LOVE-LIES.”
As a bespoke jeweller and Jewellery Designer, I often have the delightful task of giving surprise gifts, usually an engagement ring or eternity ring. With this in mind, some deception may be involved in getting the ring size.
Ring Sizer Robert Young Jewellery
How do I measure her finger?
First, make sure you measure the correct finger – not necessarily the right finger. Traditionally, the engagement and eternity rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. This is not a rule though, so you need to decide which finger the ring is going to go on.
To do this, measure the widest part of her finger just where the flesh joins her hand. There is a current trend to wear the ring approximately half way between the knuckle and the finger joint, whereas it used to be high on the finger toward the knuckle. If she has arthritis, you may need to measure her joints / knuckle if that is the widest part of her finger. Our fingers swell slightly in the heat and when it has been swinging, so it is better to measure the fingers when they are warm. They also shrink when cold.
You can measure her finger using a plastic ring sizer – if I’m making a ring for you, I can send you one. Just give me a call. These are not 100% accurate but I have used successfully a lot of times. Practice a few times on a few different people’s hands to get the feel of it.
Do not use string or wool as these can sometimes stretch slightly under tension and give an inaccurate measurement. I also find the paper method not reliable.
How to find out someone’s ring size without them knowing?
1. Wait until she is in deep sleep because she’ll be harder to wake up. This happens about 90 minutes after adults fall asleep at night.
2. Wait until she is inebriated and in a deep sleep because she’ll be even harder to wake up. This should happen after a really fun night affirming your relationship, but make sure you’re not too inebriated yourself to take an accurate measurement.
3. Measure one of her rings instead. Print out this page.
Plastic Ring Sizer and Wide Band Ring Sizer
How do I measure one of her rings?
Make sure you measure the correct ring – one that fits on the finger the gift will go onto. Print out this ring sizing chart and lay the ring above the circle so that the inner edge of the ring matches up with the rim of the circle. If the ring is between sizes, order the larger size.
How do I measure her ring by stealth?
1. This one is obvious – sneak the ring out of her jewellery box/bedside table/wherever it is kept when she is not looking.
2. If you normally go shopping together, get her to try a cheap one on at a market stall or trinket shop. However, DO NOT BUY IT, it may draw attention. Go back at a later time to buy or measure it. Use a cheap, preferably ugly, ring so that she doesn’t get the idea that you are planning a more expensive surprise gift.
3. If she never takes the ring off, lie to get the ring off and alone in your possession for a little while. For example ‘ Darling would you like me to clean your rings im going to do mine’ . (only if this is plausible that you would do this!)
4. “Darling, the Jeweller near my work has a special on. He will clean 3 pieces of jewellery for $10, but only this week”
How about I just ask her best friend for her ring size?
Most women don’t know their own ring size, so it is unlikely that even a best friend will. If you get the right friend on your side, she will be able to find out your love’s ring size. I know of friends who have gone ring shopping together, or tried on each others’ rings. Be warned, if you talk to her friend, then it is possible that the cat will be prematurely let out of the bag.
AND…. if all of the above fails, we offer a free resizing service on our rings. Generally rings are easier to resize larger. Some full eternity rings are not possible to upsize, but can be downsized.
I wish you luck in your deception and surprising your love!