One in five men buy engagement rings that don't fit
New analysis from 77 Diamonds reveals that one in five men get their partner's ring size wrong when asking for their hand in marriage. 77 Diamonds has commissioned a survey of 1,300 married men* and found that when it came to buying an engagement ring, 78% did not know their partner's ring size. When it comes to trying to figure out their partner's ring size, it seems a lot of men opt for a straightforward solution with 35% saying they simply asked their partner outright. 23% quietly made a mental note of their partner's ring size on a previous shopping expedition, while 18% borrowed one of their partner's rings to take with them when searching for an engagement ring.
Meanwhile, 11% of men say they simply guessed at the size; 10% secretly measured one of their partner's existing rings; and 3% sought the insight or advice of family and friends. Despite not knowing the correct ring size, a surpursing 84% of men say they felt confident that the ring would fit when they slid it onto their partner's hand. However, in reality, one in five (19%) admit that they ended up getting the ring size wrong. Despite the stresses that can be associated with trying to get the size right, 77 Diamonds' survey goes on to reveal that it's not actually the most pressing concern for men who are planning a proposal. Respondents report that by far their biggest concern was knowing how much money they should be spending on the ring (39%), wanting to keep it within their budget while also avoiding disappointing their partner.
Additionally, 33% were most worried about their partner disliking the choice of ring, with 16% particularly concerned with selecting the right style. Only 7% said that ensuring the ring fits correctly was their main worry.
How to find out your partner's ring size with ruining the surprise
Borrow a ring
It might be that the easiest way to make sure you get the ring size right without your partner cottoning-on is to borrow one of their existing rings to take it to your jeweller. But you need to make sure it's not a ring they wear too frequently because otherwise they might spot that it's missing and you'll be rumbled. You also want to select a ring that they wear on their engagement finger because each finger is a different size. Finger sizes are also not symmetrical, so a ring they wear on the third finger of their right hand is unlikely to be the correct size for their left hand.
Buy a practice ring
One great way of overcoming this common problem is to buy your partner a ring for another occasion before the proposal. This does require quite a bit of forethought and planning, but if you can find a reason to buy your partner a ring, perhaps a birthday or Christmas gift, you're able to learn their ring size before it comes to buying the engagement ring.
Enlist the help of a newly engaged friend
If you or your partner have a friend who has recently become engaged, you can enlist their help with getting at least a rough idea of your partner's ring size. All your friend needs to do is encourage your partner to try on their ring. Your friend can then report back to you whether it was too small, too big, or the perfect size for your partner's finger.
Co-founder of 77 Diamonds, Tobias Kormind, commented:
"A proposal is one of life's most intimate and unforgettable moments, and the engagement ring is its lasting symbol. While the emotion of the moment and the pure declaration of love should always take centre stage, getting the ring size right adds an extra layer of thoughtfulness that shows just how well you know and cherish your partner, and how much thought you have put into preparing for the moment.
The strive for perfection is understandable – who doesn't want the ring to slide perfectly onto the finger in a moment of cinematic romance? But it's worth remembering that to love is to be human, and to be human is to be imperfect. So while we will always encourage people to take quiet, careful steps to try and get the right fit, don't drive yourself to distraction. A proposal is the beginning of a journey, not the destination, and on your fiftieth wedding anniversary, your partner won't remember the ring being slightly too big. They'll remember you, your words, and the light reflecting off the stone.
And any worries can be further settled by the fact that 77 Diamonds offers free resizing providing you bring it to us within 30 days of the proposal."
