Jewelry repair: Six common issues with jewelry and how they can be repaired
Wear over time even the most skillfully crafted jewellery pieces know. It's possible that your favorite, much-loved item will finally need to be mended or refurbished. Luckily, the methods of restoring jewellery today combine the best of old-world craftsmanship with modern technology. They make sure your favorite piece stays with you for a lifetime.
Here are six of the most common jewelry repair problems you may encounter (you may even face more than one of them):
1) Broken or faulty clasps: Usually the clasp is the first component to go when it comes to bracelets and necklaces. This is because due to their moving parts, the clasp (the piece which connects each end together) is subject to wear. It's also the most weight-bearing part, and the brunt of tugging and pulling.
Clasps come in various forms. The remedy is sometimes as simple as taking off the old clasp and applying a brand new one. Sometimes, that can be done at home.
Sometimes, though, the problem is a bit more complicated. A clasp that breaks or fails more than once usually indicates a deeper structural problem. Soldering, replacement of other components or a whole new type of clasp may be needed. In a case like this, you should have your jewelry repair performed by a professional.
2) Broken ties: Necklace chains and bracelets are subject to regular force, which may weaken and sever individual links. Links are relatively easy to fix or remove. That, though, is something that a professional should do.
3) Heavy metal. This is popular for rings, in particular wedding bands and engagement rings. It is because they have been worn for years continuously. Friction between skin and metal causes damage on the surface. That debilitates the metal. The weakened spot can eventually break.
Worn spots can be fixed by having metal added to them. Building up worn spots prevents further damage from occurring. This type of jewelry repair must be done by professional goldsmith.
4) Prongs worn or broken in jewel setting. Edges are usually held in place by "prongs" or "claws." Over time, these prongs wear down, sometimes even falling off. When this happens, your stone is prone to fall out of its environment, particularly if more than one prong is affected.
New metal has to be applied to the prongs, like worn down ring bands, to put them back up. A specialist has to do that sort of job.
5) Prongs slipped away. Sometimes prongs just can slip out of place. This can happen when a piece takes some kind of a physical blow. It's often just a matter of twisting the prong back into the right spot. A jewelry repair professional can do this for you.
6) Stones lost. There are few items as disappointing as losing a stone in a favorite piece of jewellery. Thankfully for a specialist this is a simple jewelry repair. The downside is that replacing a lost stone can be expensive, depending on their type. Nevertheless, by simply replacing the diamond, most jewellery owners are happy to be able to retain a beloved item.
Missing stones are often the product of a structural issue, like a broken or worn prong. Your professional repair jewellery will carefully examine your piece. He will tell you if there is an issue that needs to be addressed with the environment.
Many jewelry stores have professionals working on-site in the repair of jewels. Even a discount jewellery store will repair your piece on-site.
Many retailers don't have on-site jewelry repair person, but can usually send pieces out to fix them. You'll be paying more for this service though. Hence having a store with a repairman on site is safest.
Here are six of the most common jewelry repair problems you may encounter (you may even face more than one of them):
1) Broken or faulty clasps: Usually the clasp is the first component to go when it comes to bracelets and necklaces. This is because due to their moving parts, the clasp (the piece which connects each end together) is subject to wear. It's also the most weight-bearing part, and the brunt of tugging and pulling.
Clasps come in various forms. The remedy is sometimes as simple as taking off the old clasp and applying a brand new one. Sometimes, that can be done at home.
Sometimes, though, the problem is a bit more complicated. A clasp that breaks or fails more than once usually indicates a deeper structural problem. Soldering, replacement of other components or a whole new type of clasp may be needed. In a case like this, you should have your jewelry repair performed by a professional.
2) Broken ties: Necklace chains and bracelets are subject to regular force, which may weaken and sever individual links. Links are relatively easy to fix or remove. That, though, is something that a professional should do.
3) Heavy metal. This is popular for rings, in particular wedding bands and engagement rings. It is because they have been worn for years continuously. Friction between skin and metal causes damage on the surface. That debilitates the metal. The weakened spot can eventually break.
Worn spots can be fixed by having metal added to them. Building up worn spots prevents further damage from occurring. This type of jewelry repair must be done by professional goldsmith.
4) Prongs worn or broken in jewel setting. Edges are usually held in place by "prongs" or "claws." Over time, these prongs wear down, sometimes even falling off. When this happens, your stone is prone to fall out of its environment, particularly if more than one prong is affected.
New metal has to be applied to the prongs, like worn down ring bands, to put them back up. A specialist has to do that sort of job.
5) Prongs slipped away. Sometimes prongs just can slip out of place. This can happen when a piece takes some kind of a physical blow. It's often just a matter of twisting the prong back into the right spot. A jewelry repair professional can do this for you.
6) Stones lost. There are few items as disappointing as losing a stone in a favorite piece of jewellery. Thankfully for a specialist this is a simple jewelry repair. The downside is that replacing a lost stone can be expensive, depending on their type. Nevertheless, by simply replacing the diamond, most jewellery owners are happy to be able to retain a beloved item.
Missing stones are often the product of a structural issue, like a broken or worn prong. Your professional repair jewellery will carefully examine your piece. He will tell you if there is an issue that needs to be addressed with the environment.
Many jewelry stores have professionals working on-site in the repair of jewels. Even a discount jewellery store will repair your piece on-site.
Many retailers don't have on-site jewelry repair person, but can usually send pieces out to fix them. You'll be paying more for this service though. Hence having a store with a repairman on site is safest.
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