8 Ways to Keep Your Ring From Spinning

If your engagement or wedding ring keeps spinning on your finger, it’s not only inconvenient. It could also fall off. This risk is heightened when the ring is significantly larger than your finger, or if your finger size tends to fluctuate.

There are many solutions to this problem — both temporary fixes that will keep your ring in place for the day, and permanent solutions that mean you won’t have to worry about it spinning any longer.

If you don’t want to get the ring resized, there are other options.

So let’s explore the common causes of a ring spinning and 8 methods that will keep it snug on your finger.

What Causes Your Ring to Spin?

Unbalanced Setting

An unbalanced setting is the result of a large gemstone on a thin band. The heavier weight on top can’t be supported by smaller bands, and this causes it to spin. This issue is especially common in rings with larger center stones or intricate designs that result in a top-heavy structure.  

You can adjust it all you want, but gravity kicks in and the gemstone will start to rotate.

The solution to this problem is to replace the thin band with one stable enough to hold the gemstone in place. Specifically, you’ll want a band with a thicker or wider base compared to the top. 

For example, check out this cathedral setting that holds a round-cut diamond.

Notice the wide shank and how it doesn’t come to a knife edge like you’ll find in other settings.

It’s thick enough to hold a large gem.

Swollen Fingers

It’s common for your fingers to swell during the day and grow up to half a ring size, influenced by factors such as temperature, hydration, and physical activity. So it’ll fit differently depending on the time of day, and you might notice the ring feeling tighter in the mornings or after exercise.

If the ring size was chosen during a time they were swollen, it’s not surprising it has a looser fit during the other parts of the day.

The difference is also more pronounced during certain seasons. 

In the winter, your fingers may shrink when they get cold, causing the ring to slide up and down. The opposite is true in the summer. Your fingers could swell and cause the ring to have a tighter fit.

Size is Too Big

There are many methods used to estimate ring size:

• Wrapping a string around your finger, then measuring with a ruler
• Placing a ring you already own on a ring size chart
• Using a physical or virtual ring sizer

Though these can provide estimates, even the slightest miscalculation can leave you with a ring that spins. For instance, your ring might fit snug with a size 6, but a size 6.5 could cause it to spin.

While you can find custom sizes in between half sizes, you can generally find one that fits by moving up or down half a size.

That’s why the only way to find the right size is through trial and error. 

It’s best to have the opportunity to actually try on the ring you’ll be wearing so you can move up or down to a different size.

Because I ordered my wife’s engagement ring online, she didn’t try on the ring before I proposed. I turned out the once I ordered was slightly too big. 

So later that week, a jeweler that partnered with the online retailer resized it down half a size, and it fit perfectly. 

Large Knuckles

Large knuckles are the most popular reason an engagement or wedding ring spins. This is because you need a bigger ring size to fit over the knuckles, but then your finger narrows.

If it’s big enough to fit over your knuckles, it won’t fit tightly around your finger. 

If it’s too small to slide over your knuckle, you also won’t be able to wear the ring.

Check out the image below for an example.

Notice how tightly it fits when the ring is positioned at the bottom of their finger.

So this is an important consideration when choosing your ring size.

How to Keep Your Ring From Spinning

1. Ring Guards (Noodle)

Ring guards (also known as ring noodles) are small plastic tubes placed over a ring that holds it in place. The primary advantage is that it’s significantly cheaper than resizing your ring.

Here’s an example of what’s arguably the least expensive solution.

You might think they’re apparent when wearing a ring, but that’s not the case. 

They’re often transparent, so it’s not noticeable unless someone’s up close.

Ring guards come in multiple sizes, so whether you need to adjust the ring down one size or three, you can buy a thickness that fits your needs. You don’t have to worry about it causing damage to your ring or diamond because it isn’t made of metal.

Rings guard will need to be replaced on occasion. But they often cost less than $10, so even buying a few per year is significantly less costly than buying a new ring.

2. Tape

You can also use tape to keep your ring from spinning. Take a piece of tape that’s about three inches long, and roll it tightly. You’ll end up with a cylinder of tape that’s about an inch long.

Place that piece of tape inside the ring to fill the gap between the ring and your finger. This isn’t a permanent fix, but if you need a quick solution for a night out, this will work. 

The problem is you’ll have to redo this solution each day, as you can’t trust the tape to hold for several days at a time. Additionally, taking the ring on and off will reduce the stickiness, and it eventually won’t hold.

3. Ring Sizing Beads

Ring sizing beads can be a permanent fix if the ring is slightly too big. It’s an especially effective solution if you have large knuckles and the ring spins when it’s placed all the way down your finger.

Jewelers add two small metal beads to the inside of the shank. They’ll rest on the inside of your finger and fill the gap that would normally cause the ring to rotate.

To see a real example, check out this ring that features two beads.

The advantage is they can easily be taken on and off by a jeweler. 

So unlike resizing, you don’t have to worry about permanently altering the ring.

The downside is they’re known to be uncomfortable if your fingers swell.

If you’re concerned they’ll be visible while on your fingers, don’t worry. When you’re wearing the ring, it’ll appear as if there are no sizing beads.

4. Hinged Shank

Many of the tips we’ve discussed won’t work if you have large knuckles and small fingers. Instead, you may need a hinged shank.

It has a tiny hinge on the base that allows you to open and close it. 

That way, you don’t have to slide the ring over your knuckle and onto your finger. You can just open the shank, and close it around your finger.

Here’s a side-by-side view of how it works.

The opening is sufficient to slide your finger through and then close.

If you’re worried you’ll have to replace your current shank with a new one, there’s also a solution for that. 

Jewelers can turn your shank into a hinged shank by replacing only the bottom part with the hinge. The top will remain the same.

It’s often called an arthritic shank because it’s especially helpful for those suffering from arthritis, which causes your joints to swell.

5. Stacking

One of the simplest ways to keep your ring from spinning is to lock it in place with another ring on top. If the other ring fits tightly, it can keep the spinning ring in place.

It’s referred to as ring stacking.

It’s not a permanent fix, and you may not want to draw attention away from your engagement or wedding ring by stacking it with another ring. 

But if you need a quick solution, this can work for a short time and at least prevent it from falling off.

It’s customary to wear your wedding ring on top of your engagement ring. If the wedding ring is snug, it can keep your engagement ring from spinning.

6. Euro Shank

Euro shanks (also called flat shanks) are distinguished by their flat base. In addition to its unique appearance, there’s also a practical side to its design.

The thick edges are more angular, which better locks it around your finger and keeps it from spinning.

And as you can tell from the example above, you aren’t limited in how you can embellish the piece based on your choice of a euro shank.

The disadvantage is it can sometimes be more uncomfortable to wear than a fully rounded shank. In this case, you might have to choose between the comfort of the style in general versus the discomfort of it feeling loose on your finger.

7. Permanent Spring Insert

Permanent ring inserts can be placed inside the ring and act as a spring that gives room when you take it off and holds it in place while it’s on. 

They’re shaped like a horseshoe and cover the bottom 75 percent of the shank.

The spring opens when you move it over your knuckle, but tightens back in when it’s at the base of your finger. So if you have large knuckles, consider this option.

It’s known to be more comfortable than sizing beads and is a more affordable option than resizing it.

8. Sizing Bar

The last recommendation for keeping your ring from spinning is to have a jeweler add a sizing bar, also referred to as a fold-over device.

Here’s the gist of what it looks like.

A U-shaped bar is soldered across the base of the ring. 

It has a hinge on one end and a latch on the other. You don’t have to slide the ring over your knuckle. Instead, you open the latch and then swing it shut around your finger.

It functions similarly to a hinged shank.

A significant advantage is the ring can be reduced several sizes. Other solutions only work if the size is one or two sizes too large, but if the ring is more than that, a sizing bar could be the right option.