TL;DR: you can find out your partner's ring size without spoiling the surprise by borrowing a ring they already wear and measuring the inside, tracing it, or asking someone close to them. Measure more than once, avoid cold or very warm moments, and remember that a bespoke ring is made to the size you give us, so it is worth getting right before you approve the design. Pieces start from £600.
Borrow a ring they already wear
The simplest method is to borrow a ring from the finger you intend to propose on, for a few hours while your partner is out. Measure the inside diameter in millimetres with a ruler or calipers, or press the ring into soft clay or draw around the inside on paper. Put the ring back where you found it so that nothing seems to have moved. A ring worn on a different finger or hand can mislead you, because fingers differ in size.
Trace or press
If you cannot measure it directly, set the ring on a piece of paper and trace the inside edge with a sharp pencil, then measure the inside of the circle later. You can also push the ring a little way into a bar of soap or a lump of putty to make an impression. These methods are less exact than a measurement, so repeat them and compare.
Ask a friend or family member
A close friend, a sibling or a parent may know your partner's size, or may be able to find out discreetly. Some people ask a friend to go shopping and try on rings casually. Choose someone who can keep a secret, and ask for a measurement rather than a rough guess.
Get an idea from other jewellery
If your partner wears no rings, compare the size of their hands with someone whose size you know, or ask about a ring they have tried on. This gives a rough range only. If you are unsure, tell us, and we can talk through options such as choosing a ring that can be resized, or making the ring to a best estimate and checking the fit afterwards. Our guide to sizing a finger for a bespoke ring from abroad explains more.
Things that change a finger
- Temperature. Fingers shrink in the cold and swell in the heat.
- Time of day. Fingers are often larger later in the day.
- Knuckle size. A ring must pass the knuckle, so a larger knuckle can mean a larger size.
- Band width. A wider band usually feels tighter than a thin one.
Measure at a comfortable temperature, and take more than one measurement on different days.
Tell us what you know
Send us the measurement in millimetres and tell us how you took it. We would rather have a number and the method than a guess. We work by video consultation and message, and we can talk through the best approach for your situation. If the ring is for someone far away, our guide to ordering for a partner in another country may help.
Keeping the surprise
Parcels, messages and emails can give the game away. Our guide to ordering a surprise ring secretly covers ways to keep the plan quiet, including where to have the ring delivered.
If it does not fit
Many plain bands can be resized, but it depends on the design, and some settings are harder to adjust. Ask us about resizing at the design stage, so you know what is possible. Standard making time is 5 to 6 weeks, varying with your location and how busy we are.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to find a ring size secretly?
Borrow a ring they already wear and measure the inside, then put it back.
Is it better to size up or down?
Neither is a fixed rule. Measure carefully, and tell us if you are unsure.
Can a ring be resized?
Many can, but it depends on the design. Ask us at the design stage.
How long does a bespoke ring take?
Standard making time is 5 to 6 weeks, varying with location and how busy we are.