Rings are probably my favorite jewelry item. The right ring can add instant “lift” to any outfit, both in terms of color and design. However, sometimes you’ll try a ring on in a shop that looks stunning in the box but is a bit “meh” on your finger. Or it just seems wrong somehow… wrong style, wrong shape, or it just plain doesn’t fit. By asking some key questions, this guide will help you focus on choosing the kind of ring that suits you and your life.
Bling or not?
I like shiny, sparkly things. But over the years I’ve learned that much as I love it, really sparkly, “blingy” jewelry just doesn’t suit me. Of course, your mileage may vary, especially if your taste in clothes and makeup leans towards looking well-groomed and “done”, as opposed to messy and casual like me. A sparkly cocktail ring can be just the thing to lift your mood and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune either – not if you go for something made of silver and CZ rather than gold/diamonds. And if your style’s casual, like mine? Then choose something that either is or looks hand-made. Southwestern-style silver rings are a great choice, or else something with a contemporary, modernist feel. Another option is the vintage look – think Victorian – or Art Deco-style cutwork and marcasites.
Pick a ring to suit your finger shape. And size
It might seem obvious, but if you’re a woman with bigger than average hands and strong fingers, then a dainty ring with a tiny stone will just get swamped. You can get away with something big and bold! Try a cocktail ring with either a sparkly bejewelled setting (see above) or a single, chunky stone. I have big fingers myself and I’ve found that a shape which works well for me is a ring with a long rectangular, oval or marquise setting running parallel to the finger.
On the other hand, small, delicate fingers look better with a more delicate ring – a setting that’s up to half an inch or so across will do the job nicely. If you pick a ring where the setting sits on top of the band, then you’ll be able to stack it with plain band rings on either side if you want to make more impact.
I’ve got knobbly fingers and I can get rings on, but I can’t get them off again
Try an adjustable, bypass ring or open shanked ring – a silver spoon ring is one option to go for! Most adjustable rings will go a size or two up or down but if you’re buying online, do read the listing and double check just how much “adjustability” there is. Some retailers will offer different size ranges of the same style, e.g. size 4 – 6, 7 – 9 etc. If you see a non-adjustable ring that you like the look of, bear in mind that you’ll find it easier to get the ring on and off if the band is narrow. Whatever your finger shape, a wide band ring will need to be a size larger than you normally take in order for it to fit.
© Silver Snake July 2011