The Rest of the Story

Getting those rings snipped off

What they looked like when we were done.

About a year ago, I wrote about having to get my wedding rings cut from my finger. A few weeks ago, I took the ring pieces back to the jewelers where I had that ring-removal-from-finger production. When they removed the rings, they had thought that the knuckle’s swelling would abate and they could patch up the rings. But, the knuckle hasn’t gone down because the knuckle bones have enlarged themselves permanently.

I asked the jewelers what did they think would be a solution. They described a process of putting a hinge into each ring, with an accompanying latch, which opens up. The ring can then be removed from the finger, and replaced again. That seemed like the only solution, so we started that process. They measured the giant knuckle for a ring size, and then measured for the ring size of the base of my finger.

They called back a few days later. They had contacted the company that make these latches and learned that they have a set of “rings” with latches in lots of sizes. They ordered a set and I went back when those ring sizer things arrived. I was able to see how the latch apparatus worked; I tried on three or four of them and chose the size that felt most comfortable. And, as we talked about those two rings and their latches, I said, “What if we just made one ring?” And the guy who actually makes the jewelry (and would have been putting in two hinges and two latches), said, “Yes. We could do that” (one hinge and one latch).

He used the gold from my engagement and wedding bands to make one new band, and put the solitaire on it.

Here’s how it works.

I do often complain about modern life. How fast things change and how I have to relearn or learn anew all the different apps/processes/organizational stuff that a new computer and/or a new phone has. I sometimes need to get out the fridge/microwave/dishwasher/etc. user manuals to figure out or remind me how to operate some aspect of the appliance. I should stop complaining, shouldn’t I, since I have a computer and phone and fridge and microwave and dishwasher and central heat and air and a sprinkler system and running water and a car. And a ring that can go on and off my finger. Easily.