Sizing Guide | ZHIVA

Last updated: 19 August 2026.

Antique rings were made one at a time, by hand, for one particular finger. That is part of why they are worth owning — and why sizing them takes a little more care than a modern ring off a shelf.

Finding your size

The most reliable method is free: any jeweler will measure your finger in a few minutes. If that is not practical, measure a ring you already wear and own — send us the inside diameter in millimetres and we will convert it.

Printable paper sizers and string methods are approximate at best. We do not recommend making a purchase decision on one alone.

Measure at the right moment

Fingers change through the day. They swell in heat, after exercise, after salt, and late in the evening. They shrink in cold. Measure at the end of the day at normal room temperature, and measure the hand you will actually wear the ring on — for most people the dominant hand is slightly larger.

Buying as a gift

Borrow a ring the recipient already wears on the correct finger and send it to us, or tell us and we will help you choose a piece that can be safely sized after delivery.

Resizing an antique piece

Most antique rings can be resized by one to two sizes in either direction. Beyond that, the proportions of the shank and the security of the setting start to suffer.

What usually cannot be resized

• Eternity bands — stones run the full circumference, so there is nothing to cut and rejoin.
• Engraved or carved shanks — resizing destroys the pattern that makes the ring what it is.
• Very thin or worn shanks — a century of wear leaves some bands too fragile to work safely.
• Certain closed-back and foiled settings — heat from the work can damage the stone or the foil behind it.

Every listing states the current size. If you want to know whether a specific piece can be sized, ask before you buy and we will tell you honestly — including when the answer is no.

Timing and cost

Resizing is quoted per piece, because the work depends on the metal, the setting and the condition. Typical turnaround is 7–10 business days once the piece is with our bench.

Important

A resized ring is final sale. Resizing physically alters the piece and it cannot be returned to its original state, so please be confident in your size before we begin. We will confirm this with you in writing first.

Bracelets, necklaces and earrings

Bracelet and necklace lengths are listed on each piece. Chains can often be shortened, and sometimes lengthened if a matching period chain can be sourced. Earring fittings can sometimes be converted — for example screw-back to post — but conversion is irreversible on an antique piece, so we treat it as a considered decision, not a default.

Ask us first

If you are between sizes, unsure, or buying blind, email sasha@zhivajewelry.com before ordering. It is much easier to get this right up front than to alter a hundred-year-old ring twice.