Can You Add Gold to a Ring to Make it Thicker?

The ring you’ve had on your finger for quite some time now, just doesn’t feel the same anymore, does it? That could be due to the bottom part of the ring, the shank, wasting away or maybe you just feel like it’s time to change the looks up a little!

In either case, yes, it is absolutely possible to add gold to your ring and make it thicker and look better. Hand your ring over to a trusted jeweler and wait for the magic! The jeweler will replace or add gold to the bottom of your ring and bring back life to your otherwise worn and torn ring.

Table of Contents

What to Consider Before Adding Gold to Your Ring?

The procedure for re-shanking a ring is fairly common and is more typically opted for when the ring has been used for a few decades and has a worn-out look to it. To elaborate, when a ring is used frequently for a long period of time, the metal at the bottom-most part of the shank can start to deteriorate and thin out over the years. However, some opt for the procedure to make the ring fit better or even merely to change the design and make it look ‘new’ again.

The level of difficulty for this procedure varies from ring to ring. Re-shanking a ring with an intricate design can deem to be much more difficult in comparison to a ring that supports a simple solid band.

If re-shanking is simply not possible, you have the option to melt down the ring and make a new one. Head out to my article “How Much Does it Cost to Melt a Ring and Make a New One?” to find out the cost and some other important considerations.

The Process- How the Ring is Made Thicker?

If you have opted to reshank your ring due to damages, the jeweler will cut out the faulty part, the part which has been thinned out or bent because of excessive wear, and solder a matching material to the remaining band and then proceed to finish and polish it for a seamless look.

However, the process of re-shanking is fairly easy and simple if your ring hasn’t been previously damaged. It simply includes adding gold or any other material of choice at the ring band, which can make it look thicker. Reasons other than the previous damage typically include re-sizing the ring, so it fits better, or merely for aesthetic purposes.

Just like when repairing a ring, this will also require the new material to be finished and polished to look more seamless and better merged with the prior material.

Tips to Achieve the Best Results

A few tips should be kept in mind when you’re re-shanking your ring to ensure the best possible outcomes. These include but are not limited to the following:

Before settling for a professional, seek out a few of the best jewelers in your area and cross-check the information they provide you for your ring. This will help you better understand what your ring needs and who can cater to your needs the best.
Discuss with your jeweler the weight, purity, and other elements of the needed material, in this case, gold, beforehand.
Make sure the material you choose, be it gold, platinum, silver or any other is close to the material composition of your ring. This will help the change look more seamless and will avoid color discrepancies.
Discuss the best course of action to preserve the original ring as much as possible. For example, if your ring has stones or engravings, they should be removed beforehand, as some stones might be heat sensitive. As for engraving, if you’re adding material, it may look a little less symmetrical and might need to be re-engraved.

Estimated Cost and Time

A few factors play into determining the cost and time needed to add gold to your ring. These include the weight and purity of the gold; the cost varies with the amount of gold needed to achieve the desired thickness.

It’s a no-brainer that if the amount of gold needed is high the price will also be high. Another factor that needs to be addressed to quote a price and duration is the owner’s requirements. The cost and time will automatically increase if the requirements include the addition or removal of stones preserving and/or re-doing engraving, adding intricacies to the design, etc.

Lastly, different jewelers have different labor rates, which is also a significant factor. With all things considered, one can expect an expense of anywhere between 150$-550$, this quote includes both; material and labor cost.

Conclusion- Should You Add Gold to Make Your Ring Thicker?

Adding gold to your ring to make it thicker can be fruitful. There are many advantages such as; the durability of your ring will increase, which means you can wear the ring as frequently as possible without fear of damaging it and eventually even pass it down to your younger generation.

Adding more gold to the band of the ring will not only make it look thicker but will also increase the ring’s value for resale purposes if the need ever arises. Moreover, by adding gold, not only can the thickness be improved but you can opt to add more design, stones, or engravings to it which will make the ring look and feel brand new.

However, this process also comes with its own set of disadvantages such as the heavy cost on your pocket, especially if you decide on a jeweler who quotes an unfair price.Another disadvantage could be that you may or may not lose the sentimental value of the ring. To elaborate, if not discussed beforehand, the gemstones might not be removed and be damaged in the process, you may lose your engravings on the ring and the overall aesthetic that you had envisioned may not come to life. To avoid these, it is necessary to sit down with a professional and discuss the do’s and don’ts to ensure the best results.

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