# Who Cuts Off Wedding Rings? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 2, 2023, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977 "2023-08-02T20:06:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977/1 "2023-08-02T20:06:06Z")
My hand is rather swollen with poison ivy, or perhaps I have just reached a new stage of obesity. In either case, my wedding band is stuck on my finger. It is driving me nuts. Who in the world cuts off wedding bands? Jeweler shops? Emergency rooms? Ironmongers? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977/2 "2023-08-02T20:13:29Z")
> [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](#): > > Jeweler shops? Emergency rooms? Those places will so it, but in your case a doctor would be preferred. A hospital emergency room might have a special tool to use. I’d use a cut off wheel on a Dremel tool if the swelling doesn’t interfere. Otherwise probably an abrasive point to drill into it until it’s weak enough to pull apart or just stretch it enough to get it off. Unfortunately gallium will not degrade gold. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977/3 "2023-08-02T20:14:23Z")
Actually, it is some sort of ceramic with a titanium (?) inlay. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977/4 "2023-08-02T20:15:00Z")
First, try this: [https://www.assh.org/handcare/safety/how-to-get-a-ring-off](https://www.assh.org/handcare/safety/how-to-get-a-ring-off) ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977/5 "2023-08-02T20:17:53Z")
The ladies at the jewelry store tried ice and Windex. They told me that everyone’s hands are swollen in the summer. This is not encouraging as I could not expect relief until winter. Thank you for the link. I shall try that over the weekend. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977/6 "2023-08-02T20:19:40Z")
You can certainly treat the poison ivy in the mean time. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977/7 "2023-08-02T20:23:49Z")
yes, I am doing that. The gunk gets under the ring and the skin is peeling. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977/8 "2023-08-02T20:26:28Z")
Cortisone cream may help reduce the swelling. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977/9 "2023-08-02T20:29:42Z")
Yes, that is the gunk that has gotten under the ring. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977/10 "2023-08-02T20:56:09Z")
Going to a jeweler is probably easiest if it does actually need to be cut off, but you can also buy a tool to do it yourself. For example: > **[Amazon.com: Finger Ring Cutter French Ring Cutting Tool Emergency Safe Remove...](https://www.amazon.com/Finger-Cutter-French-Cutting-Emergency/dp/B0178GMQ46)** > > Buy Finger Ring Cutter French Ring Cutting Tool Emergency Safe Remove Cut Off Rings: Rings - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977/11 "2023-08-02T21:19:39Z")
I was going to link to the dental floss trick, but ZipperJJ beat me to it. You can also use fishing line or sewing thread (preferably silk or nylon, because they’re stronger than cotton). It may be helpful to have a tapestry needle to get the floss or thread under the ring. Tapestry needles have blunt tips, and should not be confused with embroidery or crewel needles that are sharp. You can buy them at any fabric store (e.g., Joann Fabrics) or crafting store (Michaels, Hobby Lobby) and some Walmart locations. They cost about $2 for a set of 5. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2023, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977/12 "2023-08-03T00:25:48Z")
A jeweler did it for a friend of mine. Not a mall-type chain store but a shop where they repair or make jewelry. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2023, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977/13 "2023-08-03T00:31:10Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Going to a jeweler is probably easiest if it does actually need to be cut off, but you can also buy a tool to do it yourself. For example: When I went to a jeweler, they had that tool right under the main counter. It works really well. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2023, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977/14 "2023-08-03T00:36:04Z")
I’ve had great results from the floss trick. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2023, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977/15 "2023-08-03T09:20:35Z")
I shall report back in a day or two. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2023, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977/16 "2023-08-03T09:40:28Z")
Overheard on hospital PA: “_Doctor Sméagol, please report to the emergency room. We have a minor issue that you’re best qualified to address._” ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2023, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977/17 "2023-08-03T10:24:28Z")
> [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](#): > > Actually, it is some sort of ceramic with a titanium (?) inlay. AIUI, gold and platinum are generally soft enough that they can be quickly snipped with cutters, but titanium rings require an abrasive cutter, e.g. a Dremel with a cutoff wheel. You may want to have one person grab one side of the the ring with a vise (or in an actual vise) to steady it while someone cuts the ring on the other side with the Dremel. You’ll also need to manage the heat (from the grinding): you can spray the site with water while the cutting takes place, or just cut very slowly. The Dremel operator should use very light pressure, as this will keep heat production under control and also reduce overshoot (into your finger) when the cutting wheel finally gets all the way through the ring. **[This guy cut off his own ring by himself at home](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlMZgHHXJBg)**. It was a gold ring, but he apparently didn’t want to mangle it with sidecutters and instead chose to use a Dremel. It gets hot, but he gets it done. Smartly, he slips a wood backer under the ring so that the Dremel is less likely to cut into his finger: If the main structure of your ring is carbide or ceramic, abrasive cutters generally won’t touch this stuff. The good news is that these materials are quite brittle, and you can crack them with enough force. A hammer is a bad choice for this, for many reasons. Instead, use a vise grip or an actual vise to squeeze the ring from one side of your finger to the other; once the material cracks, the vise won’t overshoot and crush your finger (can’t say the same for the hammer. Based on the background, it looks like **[this removal of a carbide ring](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GD44bl8ENCA)** happened at a jeweler. ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2023, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977/18 "2023-08-03T11:13:09Z")
You local Fire/EMS station is probably also equipped to help. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2023, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977/19 "2023-08-03T14:34:52Z")
This stuff is awesome. The lidocaine works really well. Good luck @Paul_was_in_Saudi . SOLARCAINE Aloe Extra Gel 8 OZ > **[Amazon.com : SOLARCAINE Aloe Extra Gel 8 OZ : Other Products : Health &...](https://www.amazon.com/SOLARCAINE-ALOE-EXTRA-GEL-OZ/dp/B00EAE0UQ6)** > > SOLARCAINE ALOE EXTRA GEL 8 OZ ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2023, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977/20 "2023-08-04T15:16:41Z")
My mother needed her wedding band cut-off due to swelling. In her case the hospital did it. I would think the need to cut off a ring (or whatever) is common in hospitals so they likely have the means and expertise to do so. Maybe some do and some do not. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cuts-off-wedding-rings/987977.md?page=2)