The surprise is the most valuable part of a proposal, and there is no need to give it up simply because you do not know the finger size. Most people buying an engagement ring for the first time ask us this in the boutique, so you are neither the first nor an exception.
The size can be established discreetly in several ways, and even if it turns out to be wrong, the first resizing here is free of charge. Below are the methods that genuinely work, and what we do on our side so that the whole process stays a secret until the right moment.
Can you buy an engagement ring without asking about the size?
Yes, and most of our clients do exactly that. The first resizing is free of charge, so buying in secret carries no risk. Its exact scope depends on the model, for instance on whether stones are set around the whole band, and we settle that before the order is placed.
One thing is worth knowing. Making a ring smaller is simpler than making it larger. Narrowing means shortening the shank, while enlarging requires adding metal and restoring the finish. So when the size has to be estimated, it is safer to be slightly too large than too small.
How do you use a ring your partner already wears?
This is the most reliable of the discreet methods. Take a ring worn on the ring finger of the left hand and trace its inner outline on a sheet of paper, or photograph it with a ruler beside it. You do not have to measure anything yourself, just bring the drawing or the photograph to the boutique and our team will work out the size.
One detail can mislead you. The same finger on each hand often has a different circumference, and fingers swell in summer and after a demanding day. If you have access to two different rings, take both, because the difference between them tells us more than a single measurement.
Who should you ask for help to keep the surprise?
Someone who spends time with your partner in situations where jewellery comes up naturally. A sister, a friend or her mother can walk into the boutique with her during an outing and remember the size from a fitting. For us it is an ordinary visit, and the information reaches you afterwards.
That route has another advantage. Someone close usually knows what jewellery your partner wears day to day, so you also learn whether she prefers delicate or more pronounced forms. That narrows the choice more than any list of tips.
When there is nothing to go on, home measurement remains. Instructions for measuring yourself are available in our Find your perfect size section, together with a printable gauge. A strip of paper and a ruler are enough, and we set out the whole procedure step by step in our guide to ring sizing.
Measure in the evening, at normal body temperature. Hands change circumference through the day, and that is the most common cause of being one size out.
Which size should you choose when you have to estimate?
The one that is easier to correct, which means slightly larger. A ring that goes onto the finger lets the proposal happen exactly as you planned it, and the adjustment can be made calmly afterwards. A ring that is too small stops at the knuckle and the whole scene needs explaining.
If you have no point of reference at all, call the boutique before ordering. Our team will ask a few questions about height, the build of the hand and whether your partner already wears any rings, and will suggest a starting size on that basis.
Does the width of the band change how the size feels?
Yes, and more than most people expect. A wider shank sits against the finger over a larger surface, so the same size goes on more tightly. Promise N°23 and N°26 have a band 2 mm wide, Promise N°29 has 2.5 mm and at an identical size sits noticeably more firmly.
That is why we always state the width of the specific model when ordering, not only the size number. If your partner wears a slender band day to day and you are choosing a wider setting, we allow for that difference at the ordering stage.
What happens if the size turns out to be wrong?
You bring the ring to the boutique and we correct it free of charge as the first adjustment. It is a standard service rather than an emergency, so there is no reason to postpone it or apologise for the mistake. Making the ring itself takes 3 to 5 working days, at most 7 working days from order confirmation, and a resizing takes less.
After that comes service. Cleaning and polishing that restores the original lustre remain free for as long as the ring is worn, because an engagement ring is on the hand every day for decades.
What does the ring you choose in secret cost?
In the Promise collection rings with a natural diamond start at 3 750 zł. Promise N°23, with a 0.40 CT cushion diamond measuring 4.3 by 4.3 mm, costs 14 500 zł at a weight of 1.40 g. Promise N°26, with a 0.50 CT marquise measuring 8.2 by 4.1 mm, is 21 500 zł. Promise N°29, with a 0.70 CT centre diamond and side stones totalling 0.21 CT, costs 41 500 zł.
All the stones are natural, D to E in colour and VVS1 in clarity, and every one above 0.3 ct carries a GIA certificate. What those markings actually mean is explained in our guide to the 4C of a diamond.
How do you arrange a boutique visit so nothing gets out?
Just mention it at first contact and we will arrange the visit so that the whole process stays discreet. Both boutiques, at Mokotowska 71 in Warsaw and at Szczepańska 9 in Kraków, are open Monday to Saturday from 11:00 to 19:00 and need no appointment.
If you are wondering whether a surprise is the best route at all, we set out both options in our piece on choosing the ring in secret or together. And if the scene is already planned, see our guide to getting engaged in Warsaw.
Frequently asked questions
Can you buy an engagement ring without knowing the size?
Yes. The first resizing at BELLER is free of charge, so buying in secret carries no risk. The scope of the adjustment depends on the model.
How do you discreetly check your partner's finger size?
Most reliably through a ring she already wears on her ring finger. Trace its inner outline or photograph it with a ruler and bring it to the boutique, and our team will do the rest.
Is it better to choose a larger or a smaller size?
Slightly larger. Narrowing a ring is simpler than enlarging it, which requires adding metal and restoring the finish.
Does the width of the band affect the size?
Yes. A wider shank sits over a larger surface and the same size goes on more tightly, which is why we state the width of the specific model when ordering.
How long does a resizing take?
Less than making the ring, which takes 3 to 5 working days, at most 7 working days from order confirmation. The exact term is confirmed when we take the ring in.
The size is the smallest of reasons to postpone a decision. Book a meeting or come to Mokotowska 71 in Warsaw or Szczepańska 9 in Kraków, and we will go through the measuring methods with you and show how specific settings sit on the hand.