Have you ever felt like your favorite ring has a mind of its own, constantly twirling and spinning on your finger? Sure, it’s not the end of the world, but it can be pretty frustrating and can even cause irritation on your finger. But fear not, spinning ring-wearers! There are ways to fix this. Read on to discover what causes your ring to spin and explore the various ways to keep it firmly in place.
7 Common Reasons Your Ring Won't Stay in Place
A spinning ring can be bothersome and even uncomfortable. Here are a few common reasons why your ring might be spinning:
Incorrect sizing
If your ring is too big and loose, it's more likely to spin. While temporary fixes for this issue exist, having your ring professionally resized is the best way to ensure a comfortable fit.
The shape of your finger
Some fingers have a more tapered shape (narrower at the tip than at the base), making it easier for rings to slide and spin. If your finger is tapered, you might want a ring with a more secure fit so it doesn’t slide off your fingertips.
Type of ring
Certain ring styles, such as those with thin bands or smooth surfaces, may be more prone to spinning. Rings with textured bands or wider shanks can provide a better grip.
Activities
Engaging in activities that involve a lot of hand movement, such as sports or manual labor, can cause your ring to spin.
Weight loss
Losing weight can make your fingers smaller, causing your ring to become loose and lead to spinning.
Weather
Changes in temperature and humidity can cause your fingers to swell or shrink, affecting the fit of your ring. Similarly, warm, humid climates can result in sweaty hands or residue buildup, which acts as a natural lubricant that causes your ring to slip and spin.
Imbalance
If your ring has a large center stone on a thin band, it may be top-heavy, causing the stone to turn toward the underside of your finger (thanks a lot, gravity!). While sporting a big ol’ diamond on your ring is generally positive, having it spin around your finger constantly may quickly turn it into a negative.
The dangers of a loose-fitting ring
When a ring is too loose, it can become caught on objects or surfaces, especially during sudden movements or falls. This can lead to a condition known as ring avulsion, where the ring can become so tightly caught that it rips the skin and underlying tissue. Ring avulsions made headlines in 2015 when Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon fell in his home and injured his finger when his ring got caught on the edge of a countertop. So, not only can a loose ring be annoying, but it can also be dangerous.
How to Keep a Ring from Spinning
Like a pair of glasses that won’t stop slipping down your nose or a tendril of hair that won’t stay in the right place, a ring that continuously spins on your finger can be downright infuriating. Let’s look at some at-home solutions that may relieve your frustration, followed by a few professional solutions that might be up your alley.
DIY solutions
If you’re looking for a quick, easy, temporary fix that you can handle yourself, check out these DIY solutions. But, you should ultimately visit a professional for a more permanent solution.
Ring guards
A ring guard is a small piece of metal or plastic that fits between your ring and your finger (on the outside of the ring), providing additional grip and preventing the ring from spinning. Ring guards may also be made of silicone or rubber and usually attach around the ring’s band.
Resizing beads
Similar to ring guards, resizing beads are tiny metal beads that prevent spinning by creating a tighter fit and causing friction. These beads are usually fastened to the inside of the ring’s band (instead of attaching around the band, like ring guards) via an adhesive or soldering. (NOTE: Soldering is generally best left to the professionals.)
Finger tape or bandage
For a temporary solution, wrap a small piece of tape or bandage around your finger beneath the ring to create a more snug fit. Use a small enough wrap so that it can be entirely hidden beneath the band of your ring. Be sure to put the tape on your finger, not the ring, as some adhesives can damage a ring over time.
Engraving
Adding some engraving to the inside of a ring creates a textured surface that can increase friction on your finger, which may help prevent the ring from spinning.
Professional solutions
As with many jewelry adjustments, consulting a professional is usually a smart bet. Here are a few solutions that a professional jeweler might implement to fix your ring-spinning issue.
Add a counterbalance
This solution involves adding more weight (in the form of more metal) to the opposite side of the ring from the stone or setting, which can help restore balance and prevent the ring from spinning.
Add a ring insert
Jewelers can provide a variety of ring inserts. Here are a few to consider:
Resizing beads
If your ring is slightly loose, a jeweler can add tiny resizing beads or spacers to the inside of the band to tighten the fit. This can be a DIY solution for those adding beads via adhesive. However, if you want the beads soldered to your ring, you might want to consider recruiting the help of a professional.
Sizing bar
A sizing bar is a U-shaped bar across the bottom of your ring, with a hinge on one side and a latch on the other that allows you to open the latch, put the ring on and close it shut to hold it in place.
Spring insert
A spring insert is a horseshoe-shaped strip of metal that lines the lion's share of the inside bottom of your ring band. As the name suggests, spring inserts spring open slightly to allow the ring to slide past your knuckle and then spring back to fit snugly at the base of your finger.
Tapered inserts
Similar to resizing beads, tapered inserts are wedge-shaped inserts that can be permanently attached to the inside of your ring band to prevent spinning. Typically made from metal to match the ring’s material, tapered inserts create a snug fit by gradually increasing in width from one end of the ring to the other.
Permanent resizing
If your ring is significantly too loose or tight, it's best to have it professionally and permanently resized. A jeweler can adjust the size of the ring to ensure a comfortable fit.
Hinged shank: While not a fix for your current poorly fitting ring, a hinged shank ring is a type of ring where the band is divided into two sections that can be opened and closed. The adjustable hinge allows the wearer to customize the ring’s tightness and ensure it stays firmly in place.
Hinged shank
While not a fix for your current poorly fitting ring, a hinged shank ring is a type of ring where the band is divided into two sections that can be opened and closed. The adjustable hinge allows the wearer to customize the ring’s tightness and ensure it stays firmly in place.
Protect the jewelry you love with Jewelry Insurance
Hopefully you now have enough information to identify the options for addressing a spinning ring issue at home or with a professional jeweler. But it might be a smart idea to take things a step further and make sure your valuable rings and other important jewelry pieces are properly insured against damage, loss, or theft. Consider a personal jewelry insurance policy from Jewelers Mutual. There are benefits to insuring your jewelry with a personal jewelry insurance policy and not insuring your jewelry under a homeowners insurance policy. Learn more about Jewelers Mutual’s personal insurance policies or check your rate using the button below.
