Midi rings - also called knuckle rings - are small, delicate rings worn above the middle knuckle of a finger, between the knuckle and the fingertip, rather than at the finger's base. They are made in much smaller sizes than ordinary rings and are usually worn in groups, combined with standard rings below them on the same or neighbouring fingers.
Sizing Above the Knuckle
A midi ring must pass the fingertip but grip above the knuckle, so its sizing is the reverse problem of an ordinary ring. Typical midi sizes are roughly three to four sizes smaller than the wearer's normal ring size on that finger, but the only reliable method is measuring the finger at the exact position the ring will sit, or trying a set of inexpensive fashion midis first to find the fit.
Because the grip is light, plain thin bands are the most secure midi shape; top-heavy designs can spin or work loose. Many wearers treat midis as fashion jewellery for the day rather than permanent pieces, and remove them for washing, sport and any work with their hands, when a small loose ring is most easily lost.
- Plain midi bands - thin smooth bands, the most secure form.
- Stone midis - a single tiny stone or crystal on a fine band.
- Chevron midis - a V-shaped band that points toward the fingertip.
Styling Midi Rings
Midis are a finishing detail: a couple on one or two fingers, balanced by ordinary rings at the base of the fingers, reads as a designed set. They suit the index and middle fingers best visually. If a midi feels at all loose, do not wear it out - above-knuckle rings give no warning before they slip off, and a ring sizer insert or a slightly smaller size is a cheap fix.
Staying Put
If midi rings appeal but keep disappearing, the problem is almost always sizing rather than luck. A midi should resist a gentle tug toward the fingertip and stop against the slight widening above the knuckle. Sets sold in graduated sizes are the practical way to find that fit for each finger, since the right midi size differs from finger to finger on the same hand. Textured bands and chevron shapes grip slightly better than polished round bands. Even a well-fitted midi is not a ring to forget you are wearing: take midis off before washing hands, applying cream or doing anything where a small ring can slip away unnoticed and be lost.
FAQs
- What size is a midi ring?
- Usually three to four sizes smaller than your normal ring size for that finger, but measure the finger above the knuckle, where the ring will actually sit.
- How do midi rings stay on?
- They grip the narrower part of the finger above the middle knuckle. A correct fit feels snug when pushed toward the fingertip without being tight.
- What is the difference between a midi ring and a knuckle ring?
- None - they are two names for the same thing: a small ring worn above the middle knuckle.