Since you don’t get to try on your items before purchasing, buying jewelry online can be a tricky and daunting task. To make matters worse, sizes aren’t consistent from brand to brand and photos might not give you the right perspective. This should be a task as simple and painless as possible, so here are tips to help you through the process of figuring our which size to buy.

1. Rings

Proper sizing for rings is pretty straight forward. You should always choose a size that feels comfortable and that may be different from person to person. However, generally speaking, your ring should be tight enough so that it doesn’t slip off the finger, but loose enough so that it doesn’t cause discomfort.

When ordering a ring online, you should consider your finger shape when measuring your ring size. If your fingers taper from base to tip, then you will want to choose a size that fits snugly so the ring doesn’t slip off. If your fingers are widest at the knuckle, make sure you measure the knuckle so you don’t end up with a ring that doesn’t fit over the knuckle. Keep in mind that your fingers will swell and shrink throughout the day, so your ring may feel loose or tight at different times.

2. Bracelets

Similar to ring sizing, the size of the bracelet depends largely on the intended fit. The size may also be different depending on the jewelry maker’s conversion of wrist size to the standard small, medium and large sizes.

You should know how the item you are looking at is intended to fit. For example, a Cartier Love bracelet is meant to fit securely around the wrist. If you want a looser fit, then you will need to size up larger than your actual size.

Not all jewelers use the same sizing scales. You should always research the size charts before buying. Not all jewelry brands will use the same methods of measurement either. Some, like Cartier, measure the circumference of your wrist. Others, like David Yurman measure by the width of your fist. It’s also important to remember that a small, medium or large may be different in size for different brands.

3. Necklaces

The size of the necklace really depends on its length, so make sure you have a clear understanding of what each length looks like when worn. You don’t want to be surprised with a choker when you were expecting an opera length necklace.

Necklace lengths are also often referred to by different names that make it easier to remember. The 14″ length is called a collar, the 16″ is a choker, the 18″ is a princess, the 20″ is matinee, the 24″ is opera, and the 30″ and 35″ are rope or lariat.

When choosing a necklace length that will suit you best and fit in the intended style, it’s important to know your own measurements. Be sure to measure the circumference of your own neck so you get a better idea of what the necklace will look like on you!

Photo Credit: blacklisted.la / hausofpesh.com / courtney-watkins.com/