Secret Sneaky Ways to Size Up That Engagement Ring Finger

Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices started:

Existing Ring – When your partner’s not around, raid her jewelry box and find a favorite ring – make sure it’s one that she has worn recently and take the measurements required by your jeweler.

Fake Shopping Trip – Ask a good friend to take your partner shopping and include some costume jewelry shopping on the agenda. Your friend could suggest that this is to find a ring for her, but that it would be fun to try things on together. (Make sure the friend subtly picks up the ring that fits your partner’s finger to bring back to you).

Family Fortunes – Ask your partner’s mother to newly discover a ‘heirloom’ ring (if necessary) and ask your partner to see if it fits or not. If it does fit, then perfect - you have your ring template. If not, your soon-to-be mother-in-law can ask them to try on other rings until they get the perfect fit. Don’t try this one too close to your proposal or your partner may see it coming (from a mile off!).

Sleeping Beauties – You may have to set your alarm clock for this trick, but in the middle of the night (between 2 and 4 am), most sleeping beauties are well and truly in the land of nod. Using all your stealth, quietly wrap some cotton around her finger and make sure you cut the length to the correct circumference.

First Aid – This one’s for the risk-taker and quick thinker, who just happens to have sticking plaster or tape to hand. As much as you don’t want your partner to be hurt in the making of this measurement, if they happen to cut their ring finger over the course of your relationship – leap into action. Offer to bandage her finger and in the ensuing kerfuffle make sure that you have cut a length of tape or plaster that is a little short – it matches the circumference of her finger exactly but with no overlap. You may just have to take it off and try, try again!

Getting someone’s ring size is a tricky business – we hope you find a way that gets you the right result. Do bear in mind that re-sizing Engagement Rings after they’ve been bought will certainly be time consuming. Depending on the metal, it can also be expensive and in some cases, impossible. If in doubt, shop for a ring made of metal than can easily be re-sized (such as gold or white-gold).