Buying a ring overseas can be brilliant or it can turn into one of those seemed like a good idea at the time stories you’re still cringing about years later.
And the difference between those two stories normally comes down to one factor, getting the right size.
Maybe you’re planning to propose on a beach in Bali or you’ve spotted the perfect vintage piece in a Prague market, or you’re just treating yourself to something nice from that jeweller in Florence you wandered past three times.
Whatever your unique situation may be, you need to know your ring size. And probably not in the same measurement system you use back home, because that’d be too easy.
You can’t exactly pop into your local jeweller for a proper sizing when you’re halfway around the world.
Well saying that you definitely can find a jeweller in your area. There may be some obstacles like language barrier or unfamiliar sizing systems, or maybe you’re planning a surprise proposal and meeting with a jeweller isn’t an option without blowing the surprise.
So here’s how to sort it out yourself, using stuff you can find in pretty much any hotel room or corner shop.
Why this matters more than you’d think
Getting ring size wrong isn’t just annoying, it’s expensive. Too tight and you’re looking at uncomfortable wearing (or worse, circulation issues if you leave it on too long).
Too loose and there’s a genuine risk of it slipping off while you’re swimming, hiking or just gesturing enthusiastically about how good the gelato is.
Rresizing a ring you bought overseas can be a pain. Some metals don’t resize well. Some designs can’t be altered without wrecking them.
And if there are stones set all the way around the ring you’re looking a big price tag for any alterations
Another thing to note is that fingers change size depending on temperature, altitude and how much salt you’ve been eating.
Your finger in air conditioned Melbourne is probably a different size to your finger after three days in humid Thailand. It sounds strange but its true!
The international sizing mess
Despite what you may think, Ring sizes aren’t universal. A size 7 in the US is an N in Australia and the UK, and a 54 in Europe. It’s genuinely confusing and I’ve seen people get this wrong even when they thought they were being careful.
The safest approach? Know your size in millimetres. That’s universal, and most jewellers worldwide can work with that measurement even if they’re using a different lettering or numbering system locally.
Here’s a rough conversion guide:
Australia/UK → US → Europe
- H → 4 → 48
- J → 5 → 50
- L → 6 → 52
- N → 7 → 54
- P → 8 → 56
- R → 9 → 58
- T → 10 → 60
But honestly, the millimetre measurement is more reliable than any of these systems.
Method one: the string trick
This is the one you do in your hotel room at 2am when you’ve had a brilliant idea about surprising your partner.
You need:
- Bit of string (dental floss works too)
- A ruler (most hotels have one at reception if you ask, or just buy a cheap one)
- A pen
What you do is wrap the string around the base of the relevant finger. Not too tight, not too loose, just where the ring would naturally sit. Mark where the string meets with your pen, then measure that length in millimetres.
One thing to make sure to remember is that you’re sure you’re measuring the right finger. Engagement rings go on the left ring finger in most Western countries, but rings worn for personal fashion can go anywhere.
You want it to fit that its snug enough it wont slip off and not tight enough that it will cause it to be too tight or circulation issues.
And look fingers swell during the day and shrink overnight. Mid afternoon is probably your best bet for an accurate measurement, after your body’s had time to settle but before evening swelling kicks in.
Method two: measure a ring you already own
This one’s dead simple if you’ve got a ring that fits properly on the same finger.
Lay it flat, measure straight across the inside at the widest point and write down the measurement in millimetres. Then you can either use a conversion chart or just show that measurement to the jeweller.
One thing to think about is that if that reference ring feels different on your finger at your destination that’s your body telling you something about sizing at that location.
Method three: paper ring
This one takes a bit more time but it’s pretty accurate.
You need:
- Paper (hotel notepaper works fine)
- Scissors
- Sticky tape
- Ruler
Cut a strip of paper about 10cm long and maybe 2cm wide. Wrap it around your finger and tape the ends together to make a little paper ring. It should slide on and off with a bit of resistance, same as a real ring would.
Once you’re happy with the fit of the paper ring then cut it open again, lay it flat and measure the length in millimetres. That’s your circumference measurement.
The advantage here is you can actually test the fit properly, make sure it’s comfortable over your knuckle and sits nicely at the base of your finger. The disadvantage is it takes a bit longer and you need more bits and pieces.
If you’re somewhere really humid (Southeast Asia, tropical islands, that sort of thing), paper can stretch or go a bit weird. Do this in an air-conditioned room if possible and use decent quality paper.
Converting measurements to actual sizes
Alright, so you’ve got a number in millimetres. Now what?
If you measured around your finger (circumference):
- 44-46mm → probably an H/I (Aus/UK) or 4/4.5 (US)
- 47-49mm → probably a J/K or 5/5.5
- 49-52mm → probably an L/M or 6/6.5
- 52-54mm → probably an N/O or 7/7.5
- 54-57mm → probably a P/Q or 8/8.5
- 57-59mm → probably an R/S or 9/9.5
If you measured across an existing ring (diameter):
- 14-15mm → H/I or 4/4.5
- 15-16mm → J/K or 5/5.5
- 16-17mm → L/M or 6/6.5
- 17mm → N/O or 7/7.5
- 17-18mm → P/Q or 8/8.5
- 18-19mm → R/S or 9/9.5
What changes your ring size while travelling
This is the bit that catches people out.
Flying makes your fingers swell. Cabin pressure, dehydration, sitting still for hours… your hands puff up a bit. Give it 24 hours after landing before you measure or buy anything, or you might end up with a ring that’s too big once you’ve settled into the local climate.
Hot weather makes fingers swell too. If you’re used to Melbourne’s four-seasons-in-one-day situation and you rock up to Bali in February, your fingers are going to be bigger there. Maybe half a size, maybe a full size, depends on the person.
Cold does the opposite. Ski trip in Canada? Your fingers will probably be smaller than usual.
Altitude is weird. Initially makes you swell (low oxygen, body retains fluid), but after a few days you might shrink a bit as you acclimatise. If you’re buying rings in the Andes or the Himalayas, maybe wait a couple of days before committing.
Salt makes you retain water. If you’ve been eating heaps of local street food (which, fair enough, that’s half the point of travelling), your fingers might be slightly bigger than normal.
Exercise increases blood flow to your hands. If you’ve just spent the day hiking or cycling around, measure in the evening when things have calmed down a bit.
Red flags when shopping overseas
Jeweller won’t let you properly test the fit or seems rushed about sizing are not a good sign as this should be a professional and luxury service, not something to rush and get over and done with.
No proper sizing tools visible anywhere in the shop. Even small operations should have basic sizing rings especially if they claim to be jewellers.
Pressure to buy immediately without time to check measurements. This is not a good sign and professionals will have no problem with giving you time to wait and choose perfectly.
Prices that seem stupidly low compared to everywhere else. This is obvious but its either fake or stolen or dodgy.
Can’t or won’t provide any documentation, certificates, or receipts. You’ll need these for customs anyway. So if you don’t want to get yourself into issues then make sure there are documentation.
Imagine you get to the airport to find your new necklace you spend your savings on is actually a stolen piece and now you’re a suspect trying to leave the country with it!
No clear return or exchange policy, especially for custom or sized pieces.
If you’re planning a proposal
Timing is everything. Don’t leave ring buying until the day before because things can go wrong.
Option one: buy the ring at home and bring it with you. Safest, but less romantic if part of the appeal was buying something special at your destination.
Option two: know the size before you leave then shop together or solo once you arrive. This gives you time to deal with any sizing issues before you plan the actual thing.
Option three: propose with a temporary or placeholder ring. This may seem anticlimactic but its actually a great way to ensure the proposal stays a surprise and that your partner can choose a ring they will wear forever and love.
Final say
Don’t stress too much though. Most sizing issues are fixable, and even if you get it slightly wrong, there are usually solutions. The memories of the trip and the story behind the ring matter more than whether you got the perfect size.
The proposal definitely matters more than the ring size so make sure to delegate your attention wisely. Make your partner feel special and let them be known you are choosing them as your person forever.
You know your partner better than me, so personalise the proposal for them not just what you see online.
And look, if you’re buying a ring while travelling, you’re probably having a pretty good time overall.
The worst case scenario is you need to get it resized when you’re home, which is mildly annoying but hardly a disaster.
The best case? You’ve got a beautiful piece of jewellery with a great story attached to it.