This is one of the most common last-minute questions we get in Los Angeles. The good news: you don’t have to ruin the surprise, and you don’t have to guess wildly either.
Below is a straightforward guide on
how to find ring size secretly, the mistakes that make sizing go wrong, and what you should know about
engagement ring resizing in Los Angeles, especially when it comes to platinum vs gold.
First: The “Perfect” Ring Size Isn’t Always a Single Number
Before we get tactical, here’s a quick reality check: ring sizing isn’t like shoe sizing. Two people can both “be a size 6” and still prefer different fits depending on:
- Band width (wider bands fit tighter)
- Comfort-fit vs standard-fit (comfort-fit feels roomier)
- Temperature (hands swell in heat and shrink in cold)
- Time of day (many people are slightly larger in the evening)
- Which finger + which hand (dominant hand is often a bit larger)
So don’t stress about getting it “perfect to the decimal.” A smart approach is:
get close, choose a setting that can be resized safely, and plan the final fit after the proposal.
The Best Stealth Methods (Ranked From “Easiest” to “Most Accurate”)
1) Borrow a ring they already wear (best overall)
If they wear a ring on their ring finger (even occasionally), you’re in luck.
How to do it:
- Borrow a ring they wear on the left ring finger (ideal) or the right ring finger (still useful).
- Bring it to a jeweler to measure, or use a sizing mandrel if you have access to one.
- Return it quickly and put it back exactly where it was.
Important: Rings worn on other fingers (index/middle) can be very different in size. Still helpful, but you’ll need to adjust.
2) Trace the inside of the ring (good backup)
If you can’t take the ring, you can still gather data.
How to do it:
- Place the ring on paper and trace the inner circle as accurately as possible.
- Trace twice (yes, really) and label it with the finger it’s worn on.
- Bring the tracing to your jeweler.
Common mistake: Tracing the outside of the ring. You want the
inside diameter – that’s what matters.
3) The “friend assist” method (surprisingly effective)
If they have a close friend, sibling, or roommate, this can be the smoothest option.
How to do it:
- Ask the friend to “casually” bring up rings or try-on moments while shopping.
- Have them take a photo of a ring on the finger (even better with a quick measurement reference).
- Or ask them to borrow a ring “for a photo” or “to clean it.”
This method works well because it keeps you out of the suspicious behavior zone.
4) Use a sizing kit at home (most accurate, but riskier)
Ring sizing kits can be accurate, but they’re also the easiest way to get caught.
How to do it without ruining the surprise:
- Use it during a moment where it’s believable: “I saw this online, what size do you think I am?”
- Make it a playful game, not a “ring finger interrogation.”
- If they’re into jewelry, you can frame it as: “I want to buy you a ring sometime, what size are you?”
Pro tip: If you do this, measure twice: once during the day and once in the evening. Many people vary slightly.
Common Mistakes That Make Ring Sizes Go Wrong
Wide bands fit tighter
A thin band and a wide band can technically be the same size, but the wide one often feels tighter. If your engagement ring design includes a thicker band, you may need to size up slightly.
Temperature and swelling
In Los Angeles, people are often outside, active, and warm. Heat can cause swelling, especially after workouts, hiking, or a salty meal. A size measured in one situation may feel different later.
Dominant hand vs non-dominant hand
Many people have a slightly larger dominant hand. So if you measure a ring they wear on their right hand, don’t assume it’s identical for the left.
“It fits over the knuckle” doesn’t always mean it fits comfortably
Some hands have larger knuckles but slimmer bases (or the reverse). A ring that “goes on” may still spin or feel loose.
Engagement Ring Resizing in Los Angeles: What You Should Know
Resizing is common. It’s also something you want done
properly, especially for higher-end settings, pavé, or platinum.
Two factors matter most:
- Metal type: platinum vs gold behaves differently
- Ring design: Some styles resize easily, some do not
Platinum vs Gold: Which resizes better?
Gold (yellow/white/rose) is generally easier to work with for resizing and repairs. It’s common, predictable, and many designs can be adjusted cleanly.
Platinum is an excellent metal for durability and longevity, but it’s typically more labor-intensive to resize. Not “harder” in a scary way, just more specialized and time-consuming to do perfectly.
What this means for you: If you’re planning to resize after the proposal (very normal), platinum is still a great choice, just make sure you’re working with a jeweler who’s comfortable doing platinum work and finishing it properly.
How ring style affects resizing
Here’s a simple cheat sheet:
- Solitaire (plain band): usually the easiest to resize.
- Pavé band: can be resized, but it requires care to maintain stone security and symmetry.
- Bezel setting: often resizable, but the bezel fit needs to stay precise so the stone remains secure.
- Three-stone rings: can be resized, but spacing and balance matter.
- Eternity bands: the hardest. Full eternity (stones all the way around) may not be resizable at all, or only minimally, depending on construction.
If you’re choosing a style and you’re unsure about size, consider a design that gives you
flexibility (especially if you know the proposal ring might need adjustment afterward).
If You’re Between Sizes: What’s the Smart Move?
This happens constantly. If you’re choosing between two close sizes, here’s the decision logic we use most often:
1) If you’re unsure, slightly larger is usually safer
A slightly large ring can be adjusted with resizing (or even temporarily with sizing solutions), while a ring that’s too tight can be uncomfortable and hard to wear immediately.
2) Consider comfort-fit for a smoother “I can wear it right now” moment
Comfort-fit bands have a gently rounded interior. They often feel better and can tolerate minor size variations more gracefully.
3) Let bandwidth guide you
If the design has a wider band, sizing up slightly can improve comfort. If it’s a delicate band, you may not need to.
The “Proposal-First” Strategy (My Favorite Way to Handle Surprise Sizing)
If you’re truly unsure about size, this is the most stress-free approach:
- Choose the diamond and design the ring in a way that can be resized safely.
- Make your best estimate on size.
- After the proposal, we do a quick fitting and finalize the size for real.
That way, the proposal stays a surprise, the ring still looks amazing in photos, and the final fit is comfortable long-term.
Let me leave you with this….
If you take one thing away:
you don’t need to nail the exact ring size to have a perfect proposal.
Use the stealth methods above to get close. Avoid the common mistakes. And choose a design that gives you flexibility.
If you’re planning a surprise proposal in Los Angeles and want help choosing a ring style that looks incredible (and still resizes cleanly), book a consultation, and we’ll walk you through it.
Contact Peter Norman
