Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Have a ring cut by a professional
• Method 2 of 3: Sawing or cutting a ring with household tools
• Method 3 of 3: Removing the ring in a different way
• Warnings

A ring that is too tight can cut off blood flow to your finger, causing your finger to swell and making the ring difficult or impossible to remove. This can be scary and painful, and can cause injuries to your finger and hand. Don't panic, however, as even rings made of durable metals such as titanium and tungsten can be sawn or cut by an experienced professional. The best cutting or sawing technique depends on the type of ring you have. In an emergency, you can also use household tools to cut or saw the ring yourself. However, before seeking professional help or trying to cut the ring yourself, try alternative techniques to remove the ring yourself without cutting and sawing.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Have a ring cut by a professional

1. If you cannot get your ring off your finger, go to a jeweler. If you've tried all kinds of home remedies and can't seem to get your ring off your finger, go to a jewelry store. Most jewelers have experience in removing stubborn rings.The jeweler may be able to repair and adjust the ring after cutting, depending on the material the ring is made of.
   • Many jewelers saw through a stuck ring for free or for a small fee. Cost may depend on how difficult it is to cut the ring.
2. Go to the emergency room in case of severe swelling and pain. If the ring cuts off the blood supply to your finger and your finger is very swollen, it could permanently damage your hand. This is more likely to happen if you have an injury to your hand. In this case, it is important that you have the ring removed by a doctor or other medical professional as soon as possible. EXPERT TIP

   Tell the jeweler or emergency department what the ring is made of. Some rings are more difficult to cut. The best tool for the job depends on the width, thickness, and material of the ring. If you know what your ring is made of, you can save the person going through the ring some time and effort by telling it.

3. Cut through a gold, silver or platinum ring with a ring saw or ring cutter. These traditional ring metals are quite soft and easy to cut. A gold, silver or platinum ring can usually be repaired after cutting. The best tool for removing such rings is a high speed ring saw.
   • A ring saw is a tool with a small round saw blade and looks a bit like a can opener. It has a piece of material that slides between the ring and your finger to protect your finger from the saw blade.
   • There are manual ring saw pliers (with a hand crank) and electric ring saw pliers.
   • If you plan to keep the ring and have it repaired, ask the person helping you to cut the ring in a single spot. It may take two people to pull apart the ring with thick paperclips when the ring is cut.
4. Cut through a titanium ring with ring pliers with a diamond blade. Titanium is much stronger than silver, gold and platinum. You need a harder saw blade to cut it. A ring saw or ring cutter with a diamond blade is the best choice for removing most titanium rings.
   • It can take two to three minutes to cut a titanium ring with an electric ring cutter with a diamond blade.
   • It is not always possible to cut a titanium ring with manual ring saw pliers, especially if the ring in question is thick.
   • The saw blade must be cooled with water during cutting to prevent overheating.
   • If an electric ring cutter is not available, a bolt cutter can be used in an emergency. However, bolt cutters are a lot more dangerous than ring saw pliers and may not work to cut a titanium ring more than five to six millimeters wide.
5. Have a tungsten, ceramic or stone ring removed with special pliers. If your ring is made from one of these durable materials that are difficult to cut, your best option is to have it crushed or cracked instead of cutting it. This can be done with locking pliers or special ring pliers.
   • You can burst a ring by sliding the tool over the outside of the ring and slowly tightening it.
   • This method may sound dangerous, but it is fast, safe and does not hurt when done properly. Removing the ring takes about half a minute and the ring usually bursts before you feel pressure on your finger.

Method 2 of 3: Sawing or cutting a ring with household tools

1. As a last resort, saw or cut the ring yourself. If it is not possible to go to a hospital and the ring needs to be removed immediately from your finger, you can saw through or cut most of the rings with household tools. However, this must be done very carefully to avoid further injuries to your hand and finger.
   • Never try to saw or cut the ring from your finger yourself. Have someone else do this for you.
   • Only attempt to saw or cut the ring yourself at home if other methods don't work and you can't get the help of a professional.
2. Use a rotary multi-tool with a small saw blade for a soft metal ring. A small round steel saw blade can be used to cut gold, silver and platinum rings. It may also work with titanium rings, but it may take a few minutes for the ring to be completely cut through. A diamond blade works better with harder metals such as titanium and stainless steel.
   • Insert a metal object such as the blade of a butter knife or the handle of a spoon between the ring and the finger to avoid cutting or burning the skin.
   • Hold the blade against the ring for a second or two at a time and cool the ring with a few drops of cold water between cuts to prevent overheating.
   • Cut the ring in two places, for example in two places opposite each other, so that you can remove the ring more easily.
   • Do not attempt to saw through a tungsten carbide, stone, or ceramic ring.
3. Cut a ring of a stronger material with bolt cutters. Some rings made of durable material such as titanium or stainless steel can be cut with stainless steel bolt cutters. You will need to cut the ring in two opposite places to remove it completely.
   • Be very careful when using bolt cutters to remove a ring, as you can easily cut the finger with the bolt cutters or the cut edge of the ring.
   • If possible, slide something between the ring and the finger, such as the blade of a butter knife or a thin piece of foam, to protect the skin from cuts.
   • You cannot cut wide titanium rings with bolt cutters (that is, a ring that is more than five to six millimeters wide).
4. Crack a tungsten, ceramic, or stone ring with locking pliers. Tungsten, ceramic and stone rings cannot be sawn and cut. However, they are often brittle and can be cracked relatively easily. Grab a pair of locking pliers and adjust it to fit over the ring. Then clip it around the outside of the ring. Let go of the ring, tighten the screw slightly, then clamp the pliers around the ring again. Repeat the process until the ring bursts.
   • Wear goggles if you have one. Small pieces of the ring can get into your eyes when the ring bursts.
   • Try not to slide the cracked ring off your finger, as this can cut your finger. Instead, pull the pieces of the ring off the finger.

Method 3 of 3: Removing the ring in a different way

1. Allow the swelling to subside with cold water. Sometimes with the help of cold, you can decrease the swelling enough for the ring to slide off your finger. Fill a bowl with cold water and put your hand in it for a few minutes. Then try to remove the ring.
   • The water should be cold, but not ice cold. If your tap water isn't cold enough, put a bowl of water in the fridge to chill it.
2. Lubricate your finger. In many cases, you can slide a tight ring off your finger with the help of a little lubricant. If your finger is not very swollen, spread some mild lubricant like hand lotion, petroleum jelly, soap or baby oil around the ring on your finger. When you have lubricated your finger, try to slide the ring off your finger.
   • If you have a cut on your finger, use an antibiotic ointment or an ointment with vitamins A and D.
   • Using a lubricant may work best in conjunction with another method. Cool your finger with cold water to help the swelling go down, then apply a lubricant.
3. If lubrication doesn't work, try it with a string. With this method, you compress your finger so that you can slide the ring off more easily. Grab a piece of yarn, string, or dental floss and tuck one end under your ring. You may need to use a needle to gently pull the yarn between the ring and your finger.
4. Wrap the yarn around your finger. Wrap the yarn around your finger just above the ring after tucking the end under the ring. Keep going until you have just wrapped the yarn past your knuckle.
5. Pull the bottom end of the yarn to loosen it. Pull the end of the yarn protruding from the bottom of your ring. The yarn should now come loose and push the ring over your knuckle. Relax your hand and slightly bend your knuckle as you pull the yarn.

Warnings

• Never try to saw or cut a ring yourself. Ring saw pliers and other tools can be tricky and dangerous to use if you're working with them yourself. You often need two or more hands to remove a ring safely and properly. If you want to have a ring cut, always go to a jeweler or doctor.