For those looking for fantastic alternatives to traditional metal rings for a few different reasons, silicone rings are one of the top options out there. One common question among those purchasing a silicone ring: How do I know the proper size to choose? 

At Ensor Rings, we're proud to not only offer a huge selection of silicone ring options for both men and women, but also to provide a comprehensive ring size guide to help all our clients choose the correct ring size down to the millimeter. What do you need to know about sizing a silicone ring and using our ring size chart, and which recommendations do we often make to clients in this area? Here's a basic primer.

Why Silicone Ring Fit Matters

First and foremost, why is a silicone ring that fits properly important to begin with? There are a few reasons:

• General comfort: The more comfortable your ring fits, the better you will feel in it. A good fit will help to ensure that your ring doesn't shift around or rub against your skin, which can cause irritation over time. This is especially important if you choose a wedding band design with sharp edges (like checkerboard cut outs, for example).

• Looks: It's important to note that while silicone rings are the same size as the size you wear in metal, their lack of weight makes them appear smaller. This can be a benefit for many - if you have small fingers, it might make your hands look bigger! But for those with larger hands or who prefer larger-looking rings, this could mean you need a size up.

• Durability: Many of our clients find silicone rings to be a fantastic option because they are extremely durable. They're more flexible than metal, and less likely to become misshapen or dented over time. However, if your ring is too tight for this reason it could risk splitting or breaking the material.

• Avoiding rashes or irritation: Silicone can be a fantastic material for those with metal allergies as it generally won't cause skin irritation. But if your ring is too tight, it could cut off circulation and create hotspots or rashes - so proper sizing is still important!

General Ring Widths

While your precise choice in ring size will depend on the measurements you take, which we'll go over in just a moment, it's also good to know the general ring width templates that are out there. These include:

• Fine rings: Rings that are typically 2-2.5mm in width, offering delicate and feminine ring designs and styles.

• Narrow rings: Rings between 5-7mm in width, offering a masculine look and feel for those who prefer wider wedding bands.

• Wide rings: Ranging from 8-10mm in width, offering an especially bold appearance for those looking to make a statement with a thicker ring design.

Hand Conditions

First and foremost, before you begin any kind of measurement or sizing, it's important to ensure the hand and finger you're looking to measure are at their normal size. For instance, if you've recently been in a cold environment and your fingers have been slightly more compressed than normal, it's best to wait until they return to their natural size before touching any measurements. Why? Because if you're off by just a hair on the sizing of your ring, it could turn out too tight or too loose, and be nearly impossible to wear or uncomfortable throughout the course of everyday life. 

You should also note that fingers on your dominant hand will often be larger than the opposite hand.

The String Measuring Method

In most cases, we recommend a very simple method for measuring your finger size that involves nothing more than a pen or pencil, a ruler and a piece of string. Here are the basic steps to carry out:

• Take your piece of string (or ribbon or thread), and wrap it around your finger near the knuckle area. Make sure it's as tight as you can get it, but can't pinch any flesh when lifting it off your hand. 

• With your pen or pencil, mark the spot where the ends of your string meet. 

• Measure that length of string against a ruler or measuring tape, and then determine which measurement most closely corresponds to the millimeter sizing that correlates to your ring size using the Ensor Rings ring size chart. All you'll need is a basic conversion chart from inches to millimeters. For instance, if you measured 6.5 inches, you'd know that 6.5 inches = 165 mm (millimeters).

• Once this length is determined, it's time to find the ring size at which this length correlates. If the total measurement on the string was 6.5 inches, for instance, you would simply navigate toward the 6 at the bottom of the ring size chart, and that would indicate your size. 

What If I'm Between Sizes?

What happens if you've carried out the steps above, and have found that your measurement falls somewhere between two ring sizes on the chart? If that's the case, choosing the larger of the two sizes will be your best bet. This allows for some room in case there is any expansion while wearing the ring.

Above all, you'll always want to choose a size that feels comfortable to wear on your finger at all times, with no pinching or tightness. And if you happen to order the wrong size, our friendly customer service team at Enso Rings is always available to assist with exchanges.

For more on how to properly size a silicone ring, or to learn about any of our silicone ring collections, speak to the pros at Enso Rings today.