I got an order for 100 women’s rings from a local boutique chain
that has been carrying my necklaces and earrings. This is the
first time I have done a production run of rings, and also the
store’s first foray into rings, I think. When I asked the buyer
how she wanted the sizes distributed, she gave me a funny look
and said, “well, I don’t really know!”.
I haven’t been able to find any discussion of this at all in any
of the standard jewelry reference works. But, it would seem that
someone should have statistics on this problem – obviously, I
would like to minimize the number that come back for sizing, as
well as provide enough of a range so that customers are likely to
find one that fits. So – how should I answer this question?
Boutiques have asked me to include more larger sizes than normal
since their customers are now buying thumb rings. If your rings
fit in the ‘youth’ marker, you might want to factor this in.
We, who are in the mail order business in europe, normally start
with sizes 52,54,56,58 It depends also on the rings, if it is for
teenagers, i would go down and start with size 48.
That’s our experience but it is always difficult to get it right
As a supplier of rings in large quantity, I find that I am
usually asked to provide even number of rings in size 51,53,54,55
and 56 (or UK equivalent). Usually, Between 10-20% of the total
number will be special orders, ie sizes outside the ones
supplied. Maybe one way would be for you to do it like that and
make rings to order whenever a different size is required, or
make a larger batch with sizes outside the ones supplied, and
keep the extra. It is impossible to know exactly what you will be
asked. In my case it ranges from 45 to 62. And who knows, it
could prove to be a best seller, and you will be happy to have
the extra. I hope I have been clear enough. If you need any more
info, let me know
Based on my experience, the distribution should follow a bell
shaped curve, where the top is size 7. and all other numbers, as
they are diminishing, or increasing, in size, so they are
diminishing in numbers. If it is ladies’ ring we are talking
about, I wouldn’t make any, smaller then 5, and only a few 9 or 9
and a 1/2. In 1/2 size increments. Good luck
When I asked the buyer how she wanted the sizes
distributed, she gave me a funny look and said, "well, I don't
really know!".
Most rings for women come in size 6 - 7. If I was making 100
rings I would split them in 1 size increments from 5 - 10 making
size 7 the most common. It is good if the design is one that can
be stretched a little (thicker shank). It is always faster and
easier to stretch a ring a bit than to cut and size. If you must
cut and size it is always easier to size down.
I find that I sell fewer small sizes 5-7. More of the 7.5 to 9
sell and I’ve even sold an 11 several times (yes, ladies rings!)
Maybe it’s just this part of the country . . .
Robert, there are a couple of ways to approach this. If you are
working in gold, a standard ladies size is 6 1/2. Usually, the
store or customer is responsible for sizing. If you are talking
about silver or multiples of the same design, a range of 5 to 7
1/2 or 8 would be suitable. If you have the order already, the
easiest way to approach the “problem” would be to give the buyer
a couple of options and smile as you deposit the check! Good
luck. Curtis
Sandor proposed a bell curve centered on (American) ring size 7,
gradating down to 5 and up to 9, 9 1/2.
Hear hear! That’s what I’d propose as well…I’m sick of going
into stores and not being able to buy anything my size. I take a
7 1/2 on my ring finger, and won’t wear anything on my pinkies
(too short). If I’m told one more time that I have larger than
average fingers, I’m going to scream right in the store!
OTOH, If you’re dealing in slim young things, your distribution
is going to be different than if you’re targeting matrons, etc. I
also know people who take ring size 2 or 3 on their ring fingers
(they wear American dress size 0).
To make a potentially long post short, I’d think that the
distribution should be on a bell curve, but where you choose to
center it would depend on your target market.
After glancing at this thread yeaterday, I mentioned it to a
friend this evening. He reports a size FOURTEEN ladies ring
having been made in his shop! It seems this lady grew up
working in the fields, and developed the characteristically
large hands of field workers. When she grew up, she made a bit
more of herself than would have been possible a generation or so
before, and apparently wanted to celebrate success. An
excellent idea, I thought!
Therefore, I suspect there would be a regional, and perhaps
ethnic, component to the distribution of ring sizes.
Thanks, everyone, for the extremely helpful suggestions on how
ring sizes should be distributed. What I decided to do is take
Sandor’s “bell curve” suggestion, as well as make some extra
parts, ready to assemble and set, for odd requests and (keep my
fingers crossed…) reorders.
Thanks again, and now I need to get busy at the bench…
I know a maufacturer that produces small, medium and large sized
rings for a large sportswear company. I thought it was a great
idea. I’m not sure what those sizes are he produces, yet I was
told 6-7 is average size and 9 is large for women.
I don’t know if you have the time or energy to track this, but
it would be an interesting exercise for you to see how the actual
distribution ends up (with the sizings, etc.)
When I was working in retail apparel, this was a constant
struggle to balance between stores (I was working for an
international company).
This all leads back to a bit of advice I should follow myself:
Keep good records, you never know what you’ll learn from them!
What type of boutique? If it’s clothes, judge by the sizes they
stock - it it’s for juniors, or like Nina, size 4 to 7 should be
fine; if it’s for The Forgotten Woman (Delta Burke type figures)
6 to 12 would be good If they catter to cross dressers, 6 to 15
Ya’ll also seem to focus on left hand ring finger - most women do
not want that size - if we’re married or committed there’s a
special ring there, if not we usually want to advertise the fact
that we’re available I love rings wear them on all fingers &
toes Ethnics plays a part - some people think it’s vulgar to
wear a ring on middle finger, some cultures forbid wearing
anything on forefinger or thumb If they cater to people from the
Orient or of oriental origins, smaller sizes would seem
appropriate - I have a friend who waers a size 3! If they’re
selling to Scandanavian girls who spend the summer in the fields
and all year helping on farm in Minn, go to size 9 at least
Also is it for teenyboppers or women over 40? (Arthritis will
enlarge your ring size) Is it leather boutique? Motorcycle Mamas
will often want larger size rings, or if unise do bell curve from
5 to 11 with couple of rings on either side Kat {Moondancer}
We could poll all the women on the Orchid forum for their ring
sizes, or all the people on the forum who do repairs to keep
track of ring sizings for a statistical sample…
Richard D. Hamilton
USA
Fabricated 14k, 18k, and platinum Jewelry
wax carving, modelmaking, jewelry photography http://www.rick-hamilton.com
Kat (moondancer) [khandzik@starnetinc.com] gave us a nice
breakdown of possible demographics in regard to ring sizes for
women…and also said:
Ya'll also seem to focus on left hand ring finger - most
women do not want that size - if we're married or committed
there's a special ring there, if not we usually want to
advertise the fact that we're available"
Interesting. Where are you based?
My experience has been different. I wear rings on the left hand
ring finger simply because it’s the least distracting there. I’m
right handed, so the left gets less use, and of that hand, the
ring finger gets the least use. Depends on the style of the
ring, though, and I know people who wear 12 rings at once.
Many of my single female friends wear a ring on that finger as a
hedge-- don’t like that guy approaching – flip the ring over,
looks like a wedding band. (And if he still pursues, he’s a
jerk!) This is what I’ve seen in San Francisco and Los
Angeles…YMMV*, of course.