Asking opinion on sizing beads/balls

Hello Orchidians, I’m working on resetting diamonds from a wedding
set into two rings. My customer intends to eventually pass the rings
on to her daughters. The problem is that both daughters have much
larger ring sizes than does mom. We agreed that the best course of
action is to size the rings to fit mom’s largest finger, but she
feels that even that will be too small for the daughters. I’m tossing
this option out to the group for their thoughts: How about putting
sizing beads/balls in the rings NOW. When the rings are passed on,
the daughters can easily have the balls removed to enlarge the rings.
It would be simple matter to cut or clip off the balls and file down
the stubs, polish, and be done. Sooooo. What do you all think? Is
this a viable option? Always grateful for the knowledgable
contributors here. Many thanks to Hanuman/Dr. Aspler for his
moderating and wonderful efforts. BTW, have YOU sent your
contribution to help Ganoksin??? Judy in Kansas, where yesterday I
found the tips of crocus, tulips, and daffodils peeking out of the
soil.

Judy M. Willingham, R.S.
Extension Associate
221 Call Hall Kansas State Univerisity
Manhattan KS 66506
(785) 532-1213 FAX (785) 532-5681

Judy, Another option would be to add a butterfly, also known as a
horseshoe. It would be far more comfortable. If you need details,
e-mail me.

Dean D. Amick
Hamilton Jewelers
Princeton N.J.

 We agreed that the best course of action is to size the rings to
fit mom's largest finger, but she feels that even that will be too
small for the daughters. 	I'm tossing this option out to the group
for their thoughts:  How about putting sizing beads/balls in the
rings NOW. 

Putting sizing beads in a ring is only a minor difference in size.
It’s more a difference in the feel of a ring, and helps stop it from
spinning if a little loose. Well designed and well set diamond rings
are easy to resize to fit a larger or smaller finger. It’s a basic
level job. I would recommend making the rings without intrinsic
problems in sizing, as some designs or setting styles might do, and
then make them the right, comfortable size for whomever is now going
to wear them, on the finger most comfortable and likely to be
wearing them. If the rings are made with substantial enough shanks,
then at some future date, having the rings correctly sized to their
new owners fingers should not be all that costly or difficult. To
mess with the sizing balls is just complicating matters, and will
ensure that now the rings won’t quite fit as they should, and neither
will they really fit as they should when the daughters get them.

Just my two cents…
Peter Rowe

What is wrong with sizing the rings to fit them at the time they
recieve them. The the mom wouldn’t have to put up with the rings
flopping around on her. Sizing balls are a great tool in the right
circumstances but I do not think this sounds like the answer for her.
Patty Rios

Hello Orchidland, Thanks for the input. I’ll go ahead and make the
rings fit mom now and since the stones are diamonds and the shanks
are substantial, not worry about the daughters. They can have them
resized as they like. It’s wonderful to have this group to bounce
ideas and questions around. Thanks to Hanuman/Dr. Aspler too. P.S.
Don’t forget to help Orchid financially. Personally, I’d miss this
forum if it had to be discontinued due to inadequate resources! Judy
in Kansas

Judy M. Willingham, R.S.
Extension Associate
221 Call Hall Kansas State Univerisity
Manhattan KS 66506
(785) 532-1213 FAX (785) 532-5681