As Jewelry Shopping Guide editors, we write about things that we love and we think you’ll like too. We often have affiliate partnerships, and may generate some revenue from these links at no cost to you.
You’ve finally got that ring and you want to show it off to everyone. But then you notice that it keeps spinning! The ring becomes distracting and annoying and you’re continually thinking about keeping it pointing in the right direction.
A spinning engagement ring is a common problem. There are a few different reasons why this could be happening and fortunately, there are many easy ways to fix this problem.
In this quick guide, let’s take a look at the why your engagement ring might be spinning and what you can do to stop this.
Why Is My Engagement Ring Spinning?
There are a number of reasons that could be causing your ring to spin:
Reason #1 – Setting Isn’t Balanced
A ring that isn’t balanced in weight will tend to spin. For example, if your ring has a large gemstone that’s heavier than the band, it’ll tend to tip to one side. This is simply gravity doing its work and no matter how many times you adjust it, it will continue to slip to the side.
To counter this from happening at all, the ring designer would ideally incorporate a wider or thicker base than the top of the ring. This would keep the ring from spinning by providing balance and a firmer hold onto the finger.
However, if your ring has a very thin base and is top heavy, then it’s chances of spinning are higher.
Reason #2 – Big Ring
Your ring could be a size or two too big for you. This is a simple reason and quite common. Buying the right ring size can be difficult for most people. Check to see if there’s a gap between your ring and your finger.
Reason #3 – Swelling Fingers
Just like feet, your fingers tend to swell during the day, changing about a half ring size over the course of the day. For some people, this change in finger size can be quite pronounced. For people with arthritis, swollen fingers and hands in the morning can be quite common due to the inflammation of the joints. This results in a ring that fits when the finger is swollen and becomes lose when the finger reduces size.
Reason #4 – Large Knuckles
This is probably the most common reason that many people find it so difficult to find a ring that fits right.
If you have small fingers and large knuckles, your ring will fit perfectly around your knuckle, but once it slips down below that, it becomes quite loose. If you design the ring to fit the finger, then you’ll have difficulty each time you try to put on and take off your ring, as it’ll get stuck around the knuckle.
When picking out your ring size, it’s important to take the size of the knuckle into consideration to avoid discomfort every time you put on and take off the ring.
Solutions to Stop Your Ring Spinning
Quick Fix –Tape, Plaster, String or Elastic Band
If you want a quick fix, you can simply tie an elastic band, some string, a band aid or some sticky tape around your ring. This closes the gap between finger and ring and creates friction that stops the ring from moving too much.
Ensure that you change the tape or band aid you use frequently to avoid any potential hygiene issues.
Here’s a video that explains how to use sticky tape to stop your ring from moving around.
Easy Fix – Plastic Ring Guard / Ring Noodle
The Ring Guard is an affordable and convenient fix for problem of spinning rings. It’s such a simple solution that we think it’s the best!
The Ring Guard, also known as the Ring Noodle, is basically a small tube made of transparent medical grade plastic that can easily be slipped on or off the ring.
It doesn’t scratch or damage the ring in anyway and is painless, comfortable and easy to adjust. The Ring Noodle can be fitted on after wearing your ring, making it ideal for people with large knuckles.
- A variation to the Ring Noodle is the Invisible Ring Adjuster which fits only on the inside of the ring, making it ‘invisible’. It’s an excellent option too and is easy to use.
- You can also find clear ring size adjusters like this one which seems to be highly popular. It lets you wrap up the bottom part of the ring to fill the gap between your finger and ring.
Permanent Fix
- Resizing Your Ring
The permanent solution is to take the ring back to your jewelers and have it resized. Most jewelers offer at least one free resizing within a certain time period from the date of purchase.
If you can’t take it to the same jewelers, you’ll find that almost any reputable jeweler will be able to do this for you. One important point to consider is that the ring should fit comfortably over the knuckle. When having your finger measured, make sure that the knuckle is checked as well and not just your finger.
Ring resizing isn’t always a viable option, especially if your ring is channel, micropave or tension set. In this case, one of the below options might be more suitable.
- Ring Sizer Beads
If the size difference is not huge, the jeweler can add a couple of metal beads to the inside of the ring. These sit comfortably against your inner finger and keep the ring from moving too much. Ring sizer beads are still easy to take on and off and won’t affect your comfort.
An Expensive Fix – Hinged Shanks
This solution is not for everyone because it is the most expensive of all the solutions mentioned in this article. However, if you have a very large knuckle and tiny fingers, this is one of the best solutions for you.
Beautiful example of hinged shank ring by Klines Jewelry, via Etsy.
A hinged shank ring looks like a normal ring, except that it has a tiny hinge affixed to the lower part of the ring, allowing you to open the ring, fit it around your finger and then to close it back again.
You can have a jeweler do this specially for you on an existing ring. While the bottom part of the ring will be replaced with the hinged shank, the top part of the ring will still look the same. However, it requires skill and expertise so check before you commit to a jeweler, especially if your ring is valuable.
This is an especially effective solution for those with arthritis. It’s called the Arthritic Shank and can be found on some specialist stores ready-made.
When deciding on the right solution for you, you’ll have to consider your budget and whether or not you want a permanent solution. Also remember that when you add a wedding ring to the same finger (in case you haven’t already) that will provide some support for your engagement ring too and may help to keep it from spinning.
