How to Measure Jewelry and Watches Like an Expert

Accurately measuring irregularly-shaped jewelry and watches can be challenging. This guide will provide tips and best practices.

The standard format for reporting measurements of three-dimensional items is as follows:  Height x Width x Depth, Diameter, or Length.

Distinguishing between  Width and Depth can be confusing, and sometimes it's helpful to imagine placing a clear box or cube over your entire object. Now, imagine you are measuring the box - height first, then width, then depth (front to back). 

For jewelry set with stones, always measure the width and depth of the setting, not just the overall object.  For watches, measure the width and length of the case and the length of the band.

How to Measure

Imagine the “clear box” over your object.

Height: the vertical measurement from the base of an object to its tallest point.

Width: the horizontal measurement of the widest point of the front of an object, farthest left and right of center.

Depth: for our purposes, this is the distance from front to back, or the horizontal measurement of an object’s protrusion into space, perpendicular to the object’s width.

Diameter: this measurement only applies to circular items. This is the measurement of the width of the circular object at its largest point. Imagine bisecting the circular area into two equal parts with your ruler.

Length: measure the length when the size of the item from end to end is important to determine how it will fit. This applies to items such as necklaces, watch bands, and bracelets. 

Interior Circumference: the distance around the interior of a circular object, such as a bangle bracelet. Use a flexible measuring tool like a seamstress tape and use it to encircle the interior of the object. If you do not have a seamstress tape, use a piece of string and then measure the string. This measurement is important for determining how the object will fit.

Basic Types of Measuring Tools

• Seamstress tape: soft and flexible, good for measuring circumference, three-dimensional objects, or curved objects
• Measuring tape: rigid, can be hooked onto a frame or canvas, good for measuring straight items that are longer than one foot
• Ruler: rigid, good for measuring straight items smaller than one foot, particularly small items that can be laid directly on the ruler

For items that are not circular, measure the Height, Width, and Depth of the object. If applicable, measure the Length.

1. Place the “Zero” end of your measuring tool at the end of your object
2. Make sure the end of your ruler is flush (in line) with your object
3. Adjust your ruler so that it is aligned with your object. The ruler should be straight and parallel to the object.
4. Move to the opposite side of the object you are measuring and read the ruler.

For items that have circular components, such as bangle bracelets, measure the Height, Width, Diameter, and Interior Circumference of the object:

1. Place the “Zero” end of your measuring tool at the end of your object
2. Make sure the end of your ruler is flush (in line) with your object
3. Adjust your ruler so that it is aligned with your object. The ruler should be straight and parallel to the object.
4. Move to the opposite side of the object you are measuring and read the ruler.
5. Use a flexible tool such as a seamstress tape to measure the interior and exterior circumference.