Jewelry Size Matters: Tips for Choosing the Best Size and Length

 

As much as we all love jewelry, buying jewelry — especially online — can sometimes feel like mental gymnastics. 

I really like this necklace, but is it the best necklace length or style for my neckline? Will this ring look good on my finger? What earring sizes will best accent my face shape? What bracelet size or style is best for my wrist?

When talking about jewelry, size and shape absolutely matter, and getting it right for your needs, style, and occasion can make a big difference when the goal is to always look confidently put together.

Why Accurate Jewelry Measurements Matter

Picture this: You order a beautiful necklace, bracelet, or ring online. When it finally arrives, you’re so excited to see it in the mailbox. 

You unbox with unrestrained enthusiasm, put it on, and realize it doesn’t fit, isn’t comfortable, or doesn’t look the way you thought it would. The let down hits so hard. But it’s incredibly common for individuals to rely on guesswork when measuring their ring, bracelet, and necklace sizes. 

Accurately measuring your jewelry size can help you avoid the frustration of ill-fitting accessories and streamline your buying eye because you’ll know what lengths, styles, and shapes look best on you.

There are so many aspects of jewelry that make necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings look different on different people. As an individual with unique and beautiful traits, the following tips will help you choose perfect pieces that fit right and compliment your look.

The Perfect Ring: How to Measure Ring Size

 

Overall, going to a jewelry store to get sized is the most sure-fire way to know your ring size on each finger. But, measuring your ring size can be done from the comfort of your home, too. 

How to Measure Ring Size At Home 

• Use a Ring Sizer
• Use a Ruler and Piece of String
• Use a Mobile Ring Sizing App

If you have your own ring sizer at home, simply place it on your finger and adjust until it fits comfortably. You’ll want to make sure the sizer slides over your knuckle without too much resistance.

If you don't have a ring sizer, there’s another simple way to measure your ring size. With a piece of string, (or a strip of paper), wrap the string or paper around the base of your finger and mark where the ends meet. Then, measure the length of the string or paper with a ruler. With this measurement, you can use a ring size chart to determine your ring size.

If you want to try using an app to size your ring, consider using this Ring Sizer Tool for iPhone and Ring Sizer by Jason Withers© for Android. 

While I don’t find these apps to be completely reliable — because there is a very small difference in what would be considered a whole or a half size — they could work if absolutely necessary. If you're using an app, get at least three measurements to make sure you're getting the right size. But because of the potential inconsistencies with these apps, going to a jeweler is still best.

Overall, when measuring for ring size, keep these things in mind:

• Typically for a ring shank (how tall the ring is on your finger), the bigger it is, the larger size you need.
• Always get the ring sized on the finger you want to wear the ring because your fingers vary in size, and your right hand will usually be different from your left hand.
• Your ring size can vary depending on the temperature and time of day. Hot hands will be a little puffier and cold fingers will be constricted.
• For the most accurate measurement, try measuring your ring size in the afternoon when your fingers are at their largest.

Other Ring Size Considerations 

Knowing your ring size is important, but because everyone’s fingers are different lengths and widths, there are other things to consider when deciding what rings will look best on your finger and hand. 

Consider these tips for finding the best rings for you:

• Long fingers are complemented by wider bands, princess and round cut stones, round decorative elements, and big bold styles.
• Slender fingers are complemented by thicker bands, smaller stones, and ornamentation (to not overwhelm narrow fingers). 
• Short fingers are complemented by narrow bands and longer stones, like oval, pear, or marquise cuts. Rectangular stones also complement short fingers.
• Wide fingers are complemented by medium to narrow bands and stones with a wide oval, marquise, or rectangular shape. Clustering round stones also complement wide fingers.
• Petite hands will benefit from smaller ring designs. 
• Larger hands can wear wide bands, chunky designs, and large stones.

But, as always, to each their own. There is always a lot of room for play, and when you find a ring that you absolutely love and suits your personality, go for it!

The Right Necklace: How to Measure Necklace Length

The best necklaces for you largely comes down to the chain length. The jewelry industry offers standard chain lengths that are measured in inches, which makes finding the lengths that work for you very easy.

• 14” necklace length is called the collar. This length fits snugly around the neck.
• 15” necklace length is called the choker. This length fits snugly at the base of the throat.
• 16” necklace length is called the petite princess. This length sits on the collarbone on petite individuals. 
• 18” necklace length is called the princess. This length sits on the collarbone, as seen with the Broken Sterling Silver Necklace. This is a very versatile length. 
• 20-24” necklace length is called the matinee. This length sits between the collarbone and the bust.
• 28-36” necklace length is called the opera. This length usually sits on the bust, or an inch or two below the bust, as seen with the 28" Pierced Circle Necklace.
• 36-42” necklace length is called the rope. This length can be wrapped to sit on or just below the bust.

How to Measure Necklace Length at Home

Similar to measuring your ring size, you’ll need a flexible measuring tape or a piece of string to measure your necklace size.

• Wrap the measuring tape or string around your neck, just below your collarbone. 
• Make sure the tape or string fits comfortably but isn't too tight. 
• Then, measure the length of the tape or string with a ruler. 
• This measurement will give you your necklace size.

If you already have a necklace that you like the length of, you can use it to determine your necklace size by laying the necklace flat on a table and measuring the length from end to end.

Other Necklace Length Considerations

When choosing your best necklace length, your neck length, torso, and wardrobe should be taken into account. Here are somethings to consider:

• Short necklaces, like chokers and collars, usually look the best on long necks.
• A necklace shorter than 22” should sit at or above the bust. If you have a longer torso, you may need a longer length.
• Longer necklaces look great on individuals with round faces, as they create a nice U or V shape.
• A choker or collar necklace nicely complements individuals with heart shaped and rectangular faces.
• Longer necklaces go well with high necked shirts and blouses.
• Shorter necklaces go well with shirts with a scooped neckline, as it will be displayed perfectly above the bustline. 

A Stunning Bracelet: How to Measure Your Bracelet Size

 

To get an accurate bracelet size at home, it may be easier if you have a set of helping hands. But even if you don’t, you can still achieve a good measurement. Here again, you will need a flexible measuring tape or a piece of string.

• Wrap the string or measuring tape around your wrist, just below the wrist bone. This is where some help can come in handy. 
• Make sure the tape or string fits snugly but isn't too tight. 
• If using a measuring tape, you’ll have an immediate measurement reading.
• If you're using a piece of string, mark where the ends meet and then measure the length of the string with a ruler.
• Once you have a measurement, add a half-inch to one inch to determine your bracelet size. 

Why add the extra inches? Bracelets are typically sized by a snug measurement of the wrist, but for a bracelet to fit comfortably, you’ll want the bracelet to be bigger than that measurement.

Other Bracelet Size Considerations

• Bangle bracelets will need to be big enough to put on over your hand, of course. Once on, bangles should fit loose enough to slip two fingers under the bracelet while you’re wearing it. Check out our Broken Bangle Bracelet with Cubic Zirconias for a one-of-a-kind bracelet. 
• Chains and other flexible bracelets need to be smaller than your hands or they can easily slip off — especially with charm bracelets, as the charms make the bracelet heavier and easier to slip off your hand.
• Cuff bracelets are made to fit tighter around the wrist, but they still shouldn’t be tight. If skin is bulging at the top or bottoms of the bracelet, it’s too tight.
• When wearing bracelets with watches, it’s typically said that the watch should be the star and worn on the wrist, closer to the hand. The bracelet(s) should then be below it on the side closest to the elbow. But this combo is personal preference and should be worn according to your style and comfort.
• You may also consider having a permanent bracelet applied for a more snug fit, which doesn't need as much slack since you won’t be taking it on and off.

An Exquisite Pair: The Best Earring Sizes & Shapes to Wear

 

While you don’t measure for earrings like bracelets, necklaces, and rings, there are certain earring styles and sizes that will complement your face shape and bone structure better than others. 

Let’s look at face shapes first:

• If you have a round face, drop or dangle earrings may make your face and neck look longer, like these Silver Long Line Earrings. 
• If you have a long, narrow face, round shapes — like hoops, studs, and shields — contrast and complement your face shape nicely. 
• If you have an oval shaped face, simple studs or triangular earrings will beautifully accentuate your cheekbones.
• If you have a heart shaped face, teardrop or chandelier styles really flatter your face shape. 

What about bone structure?

• If you have a strong bone structure, chunky and heavy earring sizes and styles may complement you best.
• If you have a delicate bone structure, smaller, more subtle earrings may complement you best.
• If your bone structure is in the middle, a medium size earring size may be best, but play around with big and small to see what complements your face structure best.

Other Earring Sizes Considerations

Skin tone can help you find the right colors and metals that flatter your face best.

• Cool, light skin tones look lovely with silver earrings.
• Warmer skin tones pair well with gold and copper earrings.

As always, everything I’ve outlined in these sizing guidelines is not meant to be taken as hard and fast rules. I encourage everyone to play around with different styles and sizes of jewelry to not only see what complements them best, but to also see what feels good to wear. 

Remember, jewelry is supposed to be fun and fill you with joy and confidence.

Find Your Fit with a Zink Metals Collection Piece

As a jewelry designer, I believe one of the most important parts of choosing jewelry is finding pieces that fit your personality and unique style. 

Brought to life by meticulous craftsmanship and design, I invite you to browse through each collection and see which necklace, bracelet, or pair of earrings speak to you. I know you will find a piece that is as inimitable as you. Shop all our unique modern glam jewelry designs.