Wedding ring off - what to do with it?

[MrsMurphyIWish]

Apologies for anyone thinking this is a LTB thread.

Been married to DH for 18 years but my Raynaurd’s means my knuckles get more swollen each year. I didn’t want to get to the stage where I needed my rings cut off so I pulled them off today.

I don’t consider myself sentimental - and I’m an atheist - but I feel strange.

Has anyone else been in this situation and what did you do? I’m not a jewellery person and the rings were the only thing I wore.

I know someone who had a jeweller make them into a pair of small half hoop earrings, but if you don’t wear earrings or a necklace (you could make it into a pendant to wear) the only option is stick them in a drawer for someone to inherit, which seems a waste.

Most rings can be stretched/expanded if you want to keep wearing it. Otherwise get a chain to wear it on?

I did consider that but my rings are tiny (I have skinny fingers like a witch). I don’t wear any other jewellery as the feeling annoys me.

At the moment they’re sitting on my kitchen worktop!

They can add extra gold, so no matter how narrow the band, it can be enlarged. Two of my rings (including my wedding ring) are currently at the jewellers having exactly this done.

My (extremely happily married) Aunt didn't like wearing her ring so has it on a gold chain round her neck.

Thanks for replying - I didn’t know that could be done. Now just considering whether my rings will “rattle”. My knuckles are huge in comparison to my finger bone.

You could find a nice box or sculpture for the ring? Or something like this- just have it on display or on your bedside table

If it's silver, it could be made into an adjustable ring. If gold, less possible. But it would be worth researching- here's one for an idea on styles available- maybe buy a cheapy adjustable ring and see if that suits your finger better Adjustable ring

Hhmn. You don't really like wearing other jewellery so the ring on a necklace thing is out, you could have them enlarged, but thinking really outside the box - get a ring tattoo.

You could have it remade into a hinged ring? Or an open ring?

Or look at having it made into a shape which goes over the knuckle more easily - I have one of these for my large hands: https://www.clareelizabethkilgour.co.uk/product/nerth-collection-silver-ring?fbclid=PAY2xjawHk-8BleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABpre21Bxf1B-lpU9dGthErAU5cYR6GSg0sDt7mg1kRa1_B6c0EE_-Nn4dSQ_aem_rrnWhU1xNXHQiQRQ6LHXag

A jeweller can add a sprung piece on the inside which expands past your knuckle and then retracts to the size of your finger which keeps the ring snug. My granny had this done to some of her rings so that she could continue to wear them

I mean, get your finger tattoo'ed with a ring design. My English is terrible.

I work with jewellery. If you would like to wear your ring I would suggest asking a jeweller to make your ring larger by adding more gold, and then solder two 'pips' inside the ring. These will ensure the rings goes over the knuckle, but will stop them rattling around on your finger.
If you Google it, you'll see what I mean.

I have severe RA and my wedding ring wouldn't fit anymore, as it wouldn't go over my knuckle.

After wearing it for 25 years, I hated not having one (I'm a bit sentimental and love wearing one).

I decided to go for a totally different type of ring (black tungsten) a couple of sizes up and really like it.

My OH wears my original one.

@HelpMeGetThrough Thanks for the pic - my hands are exactly like yours but my lower finger stems are skinny and my upper becoming gnarled. Hence, which comment! I think part of my fret is that DH is still wearing his and it just feels weird.

I have tattoos - it did cross my mind but my skin is really thin.

Thanks @Thingsthatgo and @Giantscissors for your advice - much appreciated!

Thanks @CornishPorsche - missed your post earlier! I like this!

Honestly, find a decent jeweller and have a chat. They know all the ins and outs, what is feasible for your ring (and what it will cost!) and what will work for your hands.

Good luck - I'm finding that I'm really missing my wedding my ring while it's being expanded, even though I'm wearing another ring instead.

It’s a very straightforward job to add more gold to make the ring larger and I see a PP has already suggested having sizing balls added to stop it sliding around. You can also use silicon coils which do a similar job but are easily removed

Thanks @EdithStourton and @LadyPoison. I thought it would be an arduous job to stretch a ring. Mumsnet comes to the rescue!