People buy rings for all sorts of occasions, celebrating everything from a big engagement to a new promotion. Ensuring you have enough stock to cater to customer demand ensures everything runs smoothly, and prevents you being stuck with items which won’t sell. In this brief guide, you’ll find out all you need to know about this essential jewelry store staple…



Understanding ring sizes


Many customers struggle to understand their individual ring size in a domestic market, let alone the sizing which they should apply when buying for other people. This is where your expertise will constantly be drawn upon to help them get it right, the first time.


Ring sizes themselves often seem quite complicated, particularly as the systems of measurement differ across national and international borders. This means that depending on where your customers are based, the average ring size could also be a little different – and makes doing the extra research a vital part of running a successful jewelry store.



What do ring sizes measure?


When being measured for a ring, the diameter of the applicable finger is taken into account. This measurement can be assessed in either millimeters or inches, depending on the country (and the person doing the measuring). This information is then converted into a nation-specific system.



US & Canada Measurements:

This system begins at 1, and ends at 13.


British & Australian Measurements:

For Britain and Australia, rings are alphabetized, starting at B and ending at Z+1.


French & Russian Measurements:

France and Russia both use numbers, which begin at 41.5 and end at 67.5.


German Measurements:

Germany’s ring measuring system starts at 13.5, and ends at 22.


Japanese Measurements:

Japan also uses a numerical system of measurement, which begins with 1 and ends at 27.



What is the most popular ring size?


Any retailer knows how important it is to stock the right quantity of a particular product, and this is no less true for rings. If you buy too much of a product with low demand, then you’ll find it lingering in your inventory for months on end. Order too little, and you’ll be left with plenty of dissatisfied customers, disappointed they can’t get their hands on a beautiful ring they’ve seen in your store. Thankfully, we know the most commonly-purchased ring sizes – so here’s a rundown on where you should be investing!



Highest-selling ring-sizes


The highest-selling rings are a size 7, and during 2018-19 more than 42k of this size have been sold. This number is closely followed by size 6, which saw more than 35k sales during the same year. Size 8 is the next biggest seller, with 34k units sold during 2018-19. The 3.5 is primarily for children comes in at fourth place, with almost 18k sales. Knowing these numbers should help you plan your inventory with more care and accuracy.


a bar graph statistics of average ring size ordered from 2018 to 2019

a pie chart statistics of average ring size ordered from 2018 to 2019

Accuracy and ring size guidelines


While the ring sizes discussed in this article are popular based on our own average orders online, you should note that all measurements depend on the individual ring selected for purchase, with key considerations including style, the location and your target audience. Ring size averages vary from nation to nation. The guidance provided in this piece is the result of our own experiences as a jewelry wholesaler, but may not reflect the circumstances of the customer. Actual sales may differ based on the factors addressed above.



How do I measure ring sizes?


Ordering the right ring size is sometimes difficult, but there are lots of ways to get the measurement right. Some people choose to measure their ring size at home, which can be done with surprising accuracy, though results are better when conducted by an expert or using an expert ring sizing guide.



At-home ring sizing:


  1. Wrap a piece of measuring tape around your finger, in the area where the ring would be worn (just past the knuckle). As the widest part of the finger, it’s essential that the ring can slide past without pain or discomfort, yet not be too loose as to fall off once worn. This will provide measurements which can be checked against a jeweler's own ring-sizing system.
  2. Many of the best jeweller’s offer a ring sizing chart or diagram, which can be viewed online and even printed off and wrapped around the finger to provide greater accuracy.
  3. The elf25 ring sizing chart showcases all the different ring sizes around the globe, ensuring wherever you buy jewelry from, you can be sure it will fit you perfectly



ring sizes in different countries


What if I’m buying for someone else?


For customers and individuals who are purchasing for a loved one, there are ways to find out their ring size without needing to ask in advance. Understandably, many people don’t want to spoil a surprise gift by making inquiries ahead of time! This is often particularly important for customers buying engagement rings and wedding rings. Thankfully, the following tips should help:


  1. The customer can ‘borrow’ a piece of jewelry from the recipient (ideally something which won’t be missed!) – this will enable them to check the measurements against a ring sizer online by measuring in a similar way to a personal ring size measuring process.
  2. Alternatively, in the case of high street jewellers, the customer can bring the ring to the store and ask for expert guidance, helping to ensure the most accurate measurement possible.



Top tips for accurate ring-sizing:


  1. Always measure more than once – following the same measurement tips three or four times will help ensure accuracy and lead to happier customers.
  2. Measure at the end of the day – our fingers change size throughout the day, and are smaller in the morning. For this reason, encourage measurements in the afternoon.
  3. Focus on comfort – if the measuring apparatus are too tight, the ring will be uncomfortable to wear. Likewise, if it’s too loose, the customer risks losing their new purchase. Rings should be comfy as well as decorative!



Ring sizer tool to measure your ring size accurately



ring sizer

Another alternative is a mandrel ring-sizing tool. This tool is used to measure against existing rings owned by the customer, and provides accurate sizing measurements when placed on the tool thanks to its expanding width. The area where the ring stops provides a measurement and comfortable ring size for the customer. Both are regularly used by jewelers as a way of speedily gaining a more accurate measurement than anything a customer can achieve in their own home.


One is essentially a collection of rings (27), which are placed on a piece of wire loop to keep them bunched together securely. Each ring is marked with its size, meaning customers can simply check their own fingers against each ring and decide which provides the best fit for them.


A more comprehensive system is a great choice if you regularly measure fingers for ring size and don't have faith in the accuracy of personal measurements. There are a number of tools on the market which can be used by jewelers to gain a more accurate assessment and help keep customers happy. Two of these tools have proven particularly popular.



Choosing high-quality jewelry


At elf925, we have more than 20 years’ experience manufacturing and supplying the finest sterling silvery jewelry, with fashionable pieces which will stand the test of time. To find the perfect stock for your store, take a look at the official website.


Of course, it isn’t just the size of the rings you stock which will determine the success of your jewelry store. Making sure your stock is of the highest quality is another way to generate positive word of mouth and repeat custom.




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