making a finger ring smaller

[swedeheart]

Please have a look at THE FOLDOVER DEVICE here
http://www.profession...8/nov98/1198fys1.html

After having read paragraphs 1, 2 and 3* I felt I understood what they were saying. I thought the wire was a fixture. But then they go on to say that it can be opened when going over the finger and that's what I don't get - how can it be, considering the ends of the wire have been soldered together and considering the little support is not flexible i.e. cannot be pushed into the ring. What am I missing? English is not my native language so it's very likely that I *am* missing something:)

*The foldover device is dealt with twice on the same page. I am referring to the way they explain it the first time, but do keep scrolling downwards after having read that one, as there are larger illustrations at the bottom of the page.

[VINNY100_2]

Hiya swedie.
I think the karat stock is a foldover locking device which you can release.

[redman41]

As far as I can make out swedeheart, one side of the wire fixture is soldered onto the ring whilst the other side clips onto the ring by means of a clasp. When you slip the ring over your finger and into place you can then fix the ring device into place by means of the clasp.

[rowanwitch]

Why get anything so complicated, just line the inside of the ring with elastic dressing strip,, it can't be seen when you wear the ring, doesn't damage it and doesn't rub your skin as most of the mechanical type adjusters do.

[DSJ]

Why not just get your ring made smaller to fit properly? Any jeweller can do this and it will be much safer.

[swedeheart]

I just don't get *anything* today do I... Vinny why do you figure the karat stock can be released? It seems immobile to me? And redman I appreciate your reply but it doesn't add to my previous understanding - sorry. Bear in mind this is not my language... sorry...

rowanwitch it's a very thin ring.

[swedeheart]

DSJ it's a quarts crystal ring and the crystal can't be safely removed.

[swedeheart]

redman I get how the clasp snaps over the karat stock the first time but not how you open it up again once it's there.

[Mamyalynne]

If you review the diagram again, at the 8 o'clock position there is a tube and wire goes through that and it forms a hinge rather like a brooch pin.

[rowanwitch]

The foldover would look ugly on a dainty ring, I suggest you try a little clear plastic stopper behind the stone,, they look a bit like an earring back but are soft like a chewy jelly sweet and pressinto the back of the setting this would be invisible and stop the ring slipping and again would not damage the ring

[DSJ]

If you really value your ring, you will take it to a reputable jeweller for advice.

[redman41]

I think what rowan is suggesting is a more sensible option swedeheart especially if the ring is very thin. You don't want to snap it.........

[swedeheart]

Yes mamya I get that too but I don't get what's going on at the four o'clock position, i.e. how you get the wire OFF the karat stock again, once it's on.

rowanwitch in this case that would be even more visible but I'll make a note of that for future use. Where do you buy these stoppers, are they intended for jewellery?

And yes, all, I will take it to a jeweller. I only posted it in DIY cos it seemed the best sub-topic for the purpose of *understanding* the instructions. I would really like to understand it:)

[Vagrant]

You get the wire off (and on) by "brute force" - there is enough "spring" in the wire to force it over the notch opposite the hinge pivot.

[swedeheart]

Whaat, all this ado - and the answer is brute force, lol! But that would certainly explain it to some degree, Vagrant, although, if you study the very last picture, it's still something of a mystery how you'd be able to actually *exert* that force on the wire. But you could be right! Thanks!

[Vagrant]

When you squeeze the long bits of wire together, the end that hooks over the notch extends enough to be forced over the notch. The wire is thin, therefore stretchy, so it's not difficult to exert enough force to open or close it.

[swedeheart]

Yes I think you must be right, Vagrant - there can be no other explanation. And I didn't stop to think you might be able to squeeze the wire like that but I see what you mean. Thanks Vagrant and thanks everybody else as well. I do appreciate all the replies even if I didn't "buy" all of them. Thanks a lot, guys!

[Vagrant]

When I was a child , my grandmother had a ring with an attachment like this - she didn't wear it, but let me play with it! - I was easily able to open and close it with my 6/7 year old fingers - I remember the sound of the "Click" as it passed over the notch!

[swedeheart]

Click sounds are magic! I still feel that way today, would never buy a mirror, handbag, trinket box etc that didn't have that special click.

How nice of your grandmother to let you play with something "grown-up" and valuable of hers. That's a special feeling.