Determining Ring Size for Silver Clay

When making a ring from silver clay, you must take the shrinkage of the clay during firing into account. With a pendant this shrinkage is usually hardly noticeable, but with a ring even a small difference can greatly affect the final fit. Good preparation is therefore important to ensure the ring fits properly after firing.

Different Ring Size Systems

In books, tutorials and webshops you may come across European, Japanese, English or American ring sizes. This can sometimes be confusing when comparing or converting ring sizes.

European Sizes (mm sizes)

In the Netherlands and many other European countries, millimeter sizes are commonly used. For example: size 18 means the inside diameter of the ring is approximately 18 mm.

Japanese Sizes

In Japan, the country where Art Clay Silver originates from, a different sizing system is used. Japanese ring size sets often contain more intermediate sizes than European sets.

English Sizes

In England, ring sizes are indicated with letters such as M, N or O. Half sizes are also commonly used, for example N½ or O½.

American Sizes

In America, whole and half sizes are used, such as size 6, 6½ or 7. These sizes are frequently found in international jewelry books and tutorials.

Calculating Ring Size for Silver Clay

To achieve the correct ring size after firing, the ring must be made larger before firing. How much larger depends on the shrinkage of the clay being used.

The thickness of a ring is very important. If you roll a round ring like a “snake”, make it at least 3 mm thick. For a flat band ring, it is recommended to use the white 1.5 mm slats.

Example for regular Art Clay Silver:

When making rings with silver clay, always use your own ring sizing set and not the sizes mentioned in books or tutorials. Differences in shrinkage, firing temperature and clay type can affect the final size.

With a European ring sizing set (mm sizes), first determine your own ring size. The correct size is the ring that slides comfortably onto your finger but gives slight resistance when removing it. That is your base size.

Our EU ring sizing set contains whole and half sizes. When making rings with this sizing set, add 3 ring sizes to compensate for the shrinkage of the clay.

Example:

If your ring size is 19, add the following sizes:

1. - 19.5

2. - 20

3. - 20.5

The ring is then made in size 20.5.

Narrow Ring

• Wrap a piece of paper or a post-it note around the ring mandrel. Make sure the paper does not stick to the wood.
• Slide the selected ring size onto the mandrel and make sure it sits straight on the mandrel.
• Draw a pencil line around both sides of the ring.
• Roll or cut the ring band to the desired width.
• Lightly moisten the paper so the clay adheres to the paper.
• Place the clay between the two pencil lines.
  

Wide Ring

• Wrap a piece of paper or a post-it note around the ring mandrel. Make sure the paper does not stick to the wood.
• Slide the selected ring size onto the mandrel and make sure it sits straight on the mandrel.
• Draw one pencil line on the thick side of the mandrel.
• Roll or cut the ring band to the desired width.
• Lightly moisten the paper so the clay adheres to the paper.
• Place the clay along the pencil line on the thick side of the mandrel.

IMPORTANT: Do not place silver clay over the tape or directly onto the wood. The paper around the mandrel ensures the ring can safely be removed from the mandrel once the clay has dried.

Ring Size Conversion

Use the conversion chart below to convert foreign ring sizes to the sizing system you use.