You won't need your tape measure to find her ring size. However, you might need to use some of your spy skills.

By Jewelry & Style Expert, Michael O’Connor

There are certain things that a man has just got to do! When getting engaged, one of the most important things, besides surprising her with the ring of her dreams, is finding out her ring size. This small step can save a lot of time at the jeweler and help make the moment he pops the question even more special by giving her a ring that fits her perfectly. No newly engaged woman wants to leave her brand new engagement ring with a jeweler for sizing – even it that means only for a few hours. So how do you casually find out what type of ring she wants and is it considered sneaking around to secretly try to find out her finger size before you buy that ring?

L - Platinum engagement ring by Philip Press. R - Platinum and diamond engagement ring by Simon G. Jewelry

There are a couple of things you can do to ensure you get her a ring she loves. First, listen to her hints – and if you think she’s not hinting, you’re probably mistaken. Listen to how she talks about the rings of friends and relatives. If you have a friend or colleague who just got engaged, casually pass a comment on the style of her ring. That will open the door for her to tell you what she likes and does not like about the style. She will probably tell you her preferred gemstone shape and whether she wants a solitaire or other stones around it. You should already be prepared though by secretly doing your own research on the other elements. For example, learn about a diamond’s 4-C’s so that you understand how each will affect the price. Learn about why a platinum setting is important and the most desired setting.  Understand how platinum’s natural white color (as opposed to white gold’s naturally yellow color) will enhance the diamond’s sparkle and how platinum’s durability will hold the expensive diamond more securely without wearing down.

Platinum and diamond engagement ring by Hearts on Fire

Now comes the sneaky part. In order to get the right ring size you’ll need to learn what size her finger is. Here’s a tip: secretly borrow one of her rings in the morning and take it to a jeweler that day to have him measure the size. If you’re not in the position to actually take one of her rings for the day, try this idea:  Take one of her rings into the bathroom and press the profile (the round area showing the circumference of the ring) into a bar of soap. The soap will be marked by the edge of the ring and record the size. You can then have the indentation in the soap measured by a jeweler to get her size.

Making sure she gets a high quality diamond set into a durable platinum mounting will ensure a ring will last through a lifetime of daily wear and can be handed down to future generations. Getting the perfect ring style in exactly her correct finger size will give her an unforgettable moment when you pop the question. You see, sometimes sneaking around for a good reason like this can be perfectly acceptable. For more information on planning and budgeting for the ring, platinum’s qualities and a glossary of valuable jewelry terms visit http://www.preciousplatinum.com/en-US/hints-tips.aspx

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disclosure: platinum guild international is a sponsor of the man registry’s groomsadvice blog

How are you planning on going about discovering your future bride’s ring size? Will you use any of the tactics in this blog post? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

1.    Phone a friend: Get in touch with a friend or family member of your significant other. They may have bought her a ring as a gift before, or the topic of ring size could have popped up in conversation. If they don’t know then you can always recruit them as an accomplice. Have someone take her “window shopping” for a ring and get her to see what her ring size is for “fun”.

2.    ”Borrow a ring”: If you can get your hands on a ring that your girlfriend wears you can take it to a jewelers and get it measured. However, in order to get an accurate measurement you’ll need to be sure that the ring actually fits her properly and it is worn on the correct finger (left ring finger), as all fingers are different sizes. If she does not wear a ring on that finger you can settle for an estimated measurement for another finger, but beware the ring will most likely need to be re-sized.

3.    When the ring can’t leave the home: Say you are unable to take her ring to a jeweler without her noticing it’s missing, there are several ways you can estimate the size without taking the ring out of the home. For one, you can try the ring on yourself and mark on your finger where it falls. Then you can go to a jeweler and have them find the size that falls in the same place. Also, you can make an impression of her ring in a bar of soap or clay and take it in for measurement. One last way is to trace the inside of her ring with a pencil and have a jeweler match the size.

4.    Sleeping Beauty: While your girlfriend blissfully slumbers, unaware of what you have planned you can wrap a piece of paper or string around her ring finger and mark the size that way. If you bring this in to a jeweler they can help you to find a measurement. Just make sure she’s not a light sleeper.

5.    When in doubt: Size up! A ring is easier to re-size if it is too big, and most jewelers offer free resizing. Just note that thin bands or those which are intricately covered in gems might not be able to be re-sized. Make sure you check with your jeweler if the ring is re-sizable. Also, if you’re guessing her ring size it’s important to know that rings which have a thick band will need to be larger than her normal rings.

6.    Tell her it’s for someone else: You may be able to get her to divulge her ring size by telling her you want to buy a ring for your sister or mother. Tell her you want to get an estimated size for someone else and either ask her to try on a ring or ask her outright what her size is. Beware though; this method could be a dead giveaway if not done right.

Using these one of these tips you should be able to get a fairly accurate measurement of her ring size and be well on the way to spending the rest of your life with the woman of your dreams. Just remember to keep in mind these important points: 1) You need to find the size of her left ring finger. Rings worn on any other finger aren’t likely to give an accurate measurement. 2) When in doubt size up because it’s easier to resize down. 3) Make sure the engagement ring is resizable.

Good luck fellas!

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disclosure: 77diamonds.com is a sponsor of the man registry’s groomsadvice blog

Engagement rings at Whiteflash.com

You’ve come to the monumental decision that your girl is a keeper, and you can’t wait to ask her to marry you. The problem? You have no idea what size engagement ring to buy her. It’s a common dilemma, but below are some sneaky ways to dig up this crucial bit of information.

If You Want to Go It Alone…
•        If she wears a ring on the all-important finger, you’re golden. As long as she occasionally takes it off, that is. The next time it’s in her jewelry box rather than on her finger, covertly steal it for an hour, take it to a jeweler, and have it measured. If she wears a ring on that finger all the time, however, it’s a trickier process. When she takes it off to shower or do the dishes, sneak in there and make an impression of the ring in a small hunk of soap or bit of clay. If she absolutely never takes it off, you’ll have to be even stealthier. Get her talking about where she got the ring, what kind of metal or stone it’s made of, etc. Ask to get a better look at it (which means she’ll probably take it off) and then make up an excuse to get her out of the room. When she leaves for a few seconds, use that clay or soap to get an impression.
•        Use your finger as a yardstick. Using a ring she wears on her left ring finger, push it down gently on one of your fingers (not your thumb). Make sure that you don’t force the ring. Mark the spot on your finger where the ring comes to rest and then get to a jeweler ASAP to have it measured.
•        If your bride-to-be is a heavy sleeper, measure her finger with a piece of string or a twist-tie while she dozes.
Helpful Hint: If she wears a ring on the ring finger of her right hand, don’t assume that it will be the same size as she wears on her left hand. Many people’s fingers measure slightly larger on their dominant hand. You still have to go digging!

If You Want a Little Help From Your Friends…
•        If a good friend or family member has recently gotten engaged, ask that person to help you out. Next time the two of them are together, the recently engaged woman can ask your girlfriend if she wants to try on her ring. If it’s a perfect fit, great. If it’s a little too big or too small, you’ll at least have a ballpark.
•        If a friend of hers is close to getting engaged, have her ask your girlfriend to tag along the next time she goes to the jewelry store (to give her own guy hints about what kind of ring she want). The friend can ask the jeweler to size her finger and then suggest that your girlfriend do the same.
•        Ask a close friend to talk about her own engagement ring the next time she sees your girlfriend. The friend can ask your girlfriend to try it on so she can see how it looks to other people. It may sound silly to a guy, but it makes perfect sense to a woman!

Helpful Hint: Having her best friend, sister, or mom on your side is ideal, but think hard before you ask someone. Make sure that whoever it is happens to be a phenomenal liar—as in, CIA material. If her best friend blushes every time she tells a fib, she’s not a good resource. And if your girlfriend has always dreamed about calling up her mom and screaming news of her engagement, she might be a little disappointed that her mom already knows.

Engagement Ring Sizing Chart