exercises for ring finger

I have a silver ring I got in Mexico as a kid which will only fit on the ring finger of my right hand (picking hand). If I made it into a necklace I just know the chain would break. It's too valuable to lose. The trouble is when I try to play while wearing it on my finger, my hand gets really sore. It's a rather large, heavy ring - pure silver. Are there exercises that would strengthen the muscles in this hand, thereby preventing soreness?