Generally, resizing a ring with diamonds all around, such as an eternity band, is not possible in the traditional sense without making significant alterations to the ring's design and structure.
Why Resizing is Difficult
Rings featuring diamonds or other gemstones set continuously around the entire band pose unique challenges for resizing.
- Reference Insight: As jewelers point out, rings with stones that go all the way around the ring, like diamond eternity bands, also cannot be resized without adding or removing additional gems.
- Structural Integrity: The stones are often set very close together, with the metal band providing support for each individual stone. When a ring is resized (either stretched or compressed), the metal is manipulated. This process can loosen or damage the settings, causing stones to fall out.
- Maintaining Stone Pattern: If the ring's size needs to be changed by more than a tiny amount, the circumference of the band changes significantly. This change requires either adding more length (and thus more stones and settings) or removing length (and thus removing stones and settings) to maintain the continuous pattern of stones.
Traditional Resizing vs. Eternity Band Alteration
| Process | Traditional Resizing (Plain Band or Stones on Top) | Eternity Band "Resizing" |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Cutting/adding metal, stretching/compressing | Adding/removing metal and stones |
| Impact on Design | Minimal change to appearance | Requires adding or removing stones/settings |
| Stone Risk | Low (for stones not in the manipulated area) | High risk of damage or loss |
| Cost | Moderate | Significantly higher |
| Feasibility | Generally possible within limits | Often not recommended or possible without major rework |
Alternatives and Considerations
Since standard resizing is typically not an option, what can you do if an eternity band doesn't fit?
- Consider Adding or Removing Stones: This is the method mentioned in the reference. It involves cutting into the band, adding or removing a section of metal and the corresponding stones and settings, and then joining the band back together. This is a complex, costly, and risky process that can affect the ring's original integrity and appearance.
- Have a New Ring Made: Sometimes, the most practical solution is to use the stones from the original ring to create a new band in the correct size. This is more expensive but ensures a perfect fit and avoids compromising the original ring's structure.
- Sizing Beads: For rings that are only slightly too large and tend to spin, jewelers can sometimes add small metal beads to the inside of the band. This helps hold the ring upright but does not change the actual size of the band itself.
- Wear on a Different Finger: The simplest solution might be to find another finger where the ring fits comfortably.
Resizing an eternity band is fundamentally different from resizing a standard ring. It's less about manipulating the existing metal and more about reconstructing a portion of the ring, which invariably involves the stones.
For detailed information on ring resizing in general, you can consult guides from reputable jewelers or industry resources like this general explanation of ring resizing (Note: This is a placeholder link).
