Choosing a ring online without trying it on first can feel uncertain — and a personalized piece raises the stakes, since a hand-shaped word or initial can't be resized the way a plain band can. This ring size chart walks you through sizes 48 to 62, the range we offer at the atelier, and shows you exactly how to measure your finger at home with a strip of paper or a piece of string. We'll also cover when sizing matters most for personalized rings, and what to do if you're stuck between two sizes. By the end, you'll know your number with confidence before you order.
Ring Size Chart: Sizes 48 to 62 Explained
At Atelier Paulin, our rings are offered in sizes 48 to 62, following the European sizing standard measured in millimeters of inner circumference. Here's a quick reference:
| EU Size | Inner Circumference (mm) | Inner Diameter (mm) | |---|---|---| | 48 | 48 mm | 15.3 mm | | 50 | 50 mm | 15.9 mm | | 52 | 52 mm | 16.6 mm | | 54 | 54 mm | 17.2 mm | | 56 | 56 mm | 17.8 mm | | 58 | 58 mm | 18.5 mm | | 60 | 60 mm | 19.1 mm | | 62 | 62 mm | 19.7 mm |
These sizes cover most adult hands, from a slender pinky to a broader ring finger. Since our rings are hand-shaped from a single wire of precious metal rather than cast in a mold, each size is formed individually by the artisan — not stretched or adjusted after the fact.
If you're ordering a personalized piece like the Bague Originale Personnalisée, sizing matters even more: the word is shaped to sit correctly around the band, so an accurate size keeps the lettering centered and legible on your finger. Browse the full range of hand-shaped rings on the collection page to compare the Bague Originale Initiale and Bague Capitale Initiale alongside the personalized word style.
How to Measure Your Ring Size at Home
You don't need a jeweler on hand to find your size — a strip of paper and a ruler will do.
Method 1: Paper strip 1. Cut a thin strip of paper about 4 inches (10 cm) long. 2. Wrap it snugly around the base of your finger, where a ring would normally sit. 3. Mark where the paper overlaps to form a closed loop. 4. Measure the length in millimeters from the start to the mark — that's your inner circumference. 5. Match it to the chart above.
Method 2: Existing ring If you already own a ring that fits the intended finger well, lay it flat and measure the inner diameter with a ruler, then compare it to the diameter column above.
A few things to keep in mind: measure at the end of the day, when fingers are slightly more swollen, and avoid measuring in cold weather when fingers tend to shrink. If your measurement falls between two sizes, we generally recommend sizing up slightly for comfort — especially for a piece you'll wear daily.
Because our rings are hand-shaped and work-hardened as a finished piece rather than cast, resizing after the fact isn't something we offer in the same way a traditional jeweler might. Taking a careful measurement before ordering makes all the difference, particularly for a personalized ring where the lettering is formed to fit the band precisely.
Sizing Considerations for Personalized Rings
A personalized ring is different from a plain band, and sizing plays a bigger role in how it looks and feels. We offer three personalizable ring styles:
- Bague Originale Personnalisée — a hand-shaped word up to 5 letters, in lowercase cursive (except a capital "J" at the start of a word)
- Bague Originale Initiale — one or several initials, referring to one or several first names
- Bague Capitale Initiale — a single capital letter
On the personalized word style, the letters are shaped in a continuous gold or silver wire and positioned around the band during shaping — so the size you choose determines how the word sits when the ring is on your finger. A size too large can let the word rotate off-center; a size too small can feel snug against the shaped letters. This is why we ask customers to measure carefully rather than guess.
Symbols are possible on request if you'd like to combine an initial with a small motif. Note that accented characters and apostrophes aren't part of what we hand-shape — spaces can be added on request if your design calls for it.
If you're local, you don't have to size entirely from a chart: at our Paris atelier, personalization can be done on-site in about thirty minutes, so you can try a size before your ring is shaped. For readers curious about what a hand-shaped piece signifies over time, our piece on <a>promise rings</a> explores how personalization choices, including sizing, shape the meaning of a ring you plan to wear for years.
What Happens After You Order: Shaping and Delivery Timelines
Once your size and personalization are confirmed, here's what happens at the atelier. Sterling silver 925 and 14k gold-filled rings take 1 to 3 business days to shape; 18k gold pieces take 2 to 5 business days — this is the time spent at the workbench, separate from shipping.
The process starts with a single wire of precious metal, shaped by hand into your chosen letters or initial, with laser micro-welding reinforcing the joints at points of tension. Only after shaping is complete does the whole piece go through work-hardening — never letter by letter — which gives the wire its shape memory and resilience for daily wear.
Once shaped, your ring ships via DHL Express, arriving 2 to 5 days door-to-door, duties included with no hidden fees. Each piece comes presented in a jewelry case. If you're in Paris, you can also have your ring delivered by courier the same day it's shaped.
Given that a personalized ring is hand-shaped to your word or initial, it falls under the same policy as any made-to-order piece: it cannot be exchanged or refunded once shaped, since the lettering was made specifically for you. This is another reason to double-check your size chart measurement before confirming your order — take the time with the paper-strip method above, and reach out if you're between two sizes.
Caring for Your Ring So the Size Stays Comfortable
Care differs by material, and it can affect how a ring feels on your finger over time. 14k gold-filled rings need no special care — a soft cloth now and then is enough, and the metal doesn't fear water, so showers, pools, and the beach are all fine. The only precaution, to protect the delicacy of a hand-shaped wire design, is to remove it during intense physical activity or repeated handling.
Sterling silver 925 is a "living" metal: a thin layer of oxidation can appear naturally with air, humidity, or chemical contact — this is normal and reversible, and doesn't affect quality. Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, but unlike gold-filled, avoid the pool, shower, and sports with silver pieces, as this accelerates oxidation.
18k gold also needs no special care beyond warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth to dry.
None of this changes your ring size, but it's worth knowing before you choose a material — if you're active or often near water, 14k gold-filled may suit your lifestyle better than silver, regardless of which size on the chart fits your finger.
Questions fréquentes
What if my finger measurement falls between two sizes on the chart?
If your measurement lands between two sizes, we generally recommend sizing up slightly, especially for a ring you plan to wear daily — fingers can vary slightly in width throughout the day and with temperature. Measure at the end of the day when fingers are a touch more swollen, and avoid measuring right after cold weather. If you're still unsure, our Paris atelier offers on-site personalization in about thirty minutes, so you can confirm fit before your ring is shaped.
Can I get my ring resized after it's shaped?
Because our rings are hand-shaped from a single wire and work-hardened as a finished piece, resizing isn't offered the way it might be with a cast ring. This is why we recommend measuring carefully with the paper-strip method before ordering, particularly for personalized styles like the Bague Originale Personnalisée, where the letters are shaped to sit correctly around the band at your chosen size.
Does ring size affect how a personalized word or initial looks on the band?
Yes. On personalized rings, the word or initial is hand-shaped in a continuous wire and positioned around the band during shaping. A ring that's too large can let the lettering shift off-center over time; one that's too small can feel snug against the shaped letters. Choosing your correct size from the chart keeps the personalization centered and comfortable on your finger.
What ring sizes does Atelier Paulin offer?
We offer ring sizes from 48 to 62, following the European sizing standard measured in millimeters of inner circumference. This range covers most adult hands. You can measure your own size at home using a strip of paper wrapped around your finger, or by measuring the inner diameter of a ring that already fits well.
Can I exchange a personalized ring if the size doesn't fit?
A ring hand-shaped with a word or initial chosen by you cannot be exchanged or refunded, since it was made specifically to your design and size. A non-personalized ring can be exchanged or refunded. This is why we encourage taking the time to measure carefully with our chart before confirming a personalized order.
Found your size? Explore our hand-shaped rings — personalized in gold wire or sterling silver, shaped by hand at our Paris atelier since 2014.
Written by Emma Van Baal, Editorial, Atelier Paulin. About the author
