When a piece of jewelry is damaged, it’s a good idea to get it repaired as soon as possible before more damage occurs or additional links, stones or other decorative elements fall off and are lost. Be sure to collect any loose pieces you can, as the jeweler may be able to use them in the repair.
What can jewelers fix? The most common repairs include:
- Ring sizing
- Ring prong re-tipping or replacement
- Ring head/setting replacement
- Ring setting/stone tightening
- Chain repair
- Clasp replacement
- Stone replacement
- Polishing and cleaning
- Pearl restringing
Warranties
When you consider purchasing a piece of jewelry, you may want to check if it has a warranty or lifetime guarantee or if you have the opportunity to purchase an extended warranty to cover repairs of certain types of damage. Some jewelers offer a lifetime guarantee for a free annual cleaning and inspection. Others have a one-year warranty for damage like prong replacement. If your jewelry is damaged, check to see if you’re still under warranty before taking it in for repairs.
Costs
Cost of a repair depends on several factors. First, costs may be offset if your jewelry is under warranty. Otherwise, cost is affected by factors such as the level of difficulty of the repair, the cost of the parts (for example, a new gemstone versus a new clasp), and how quickly you need the repair made.
Preventive jewelry care
Jewelry you wear regularly, especially rings, can benefit from a cleaning and inspection twice a year to prevent damage that occurs over time from normal wear and tear. In addition to cleaning and polishing, a jeweler can check on the overall condition of your jewelry to make sure stones are not coming loose or clasps are not bent.
Finding a jeweler
Not all jewelry repairs are of the same quality and some repairs are more difficult than others, so it’s important to go to a jeweler you trust. If your jewelry is under warranty, you’ll want to go back to the jeweler you purchased from. If not under warranty, another option is to get a referral from someone you trust or go to a jeweler that guarantees its repairs.
