Jeweler Virginia Beach

Different Types of Jewelry Repair

There are all types of things that can go wrong with a piece of jewelry, particularly if it’s an old piece or a piece that hasn’t been handled gently. Luckily, a bench jeweler will be able to assess the damage to your jewelry and help with necessary repairs. These are some of the more common jewelry repairs.

Ring Re-Sizing

One of the most common jewelry repairs that we help with is ring re-sizing. You might have found a beautiful ring in our jewelry case that would be perfect for your engagement ring, but it might be just a little bit too big or small. Your spouse-to-be might have presented you with a ring that you love but that isn’t a perfect fit. You might have even had your ring for a long time, but due to weight loss or weight gain, it might not fit properly anymore.

 

Luckily, we can re-size your ring so that it’s a perfect fit, all without damaging the ring. We’ll help measure your finger to determine the exact size that you need, and we’ll adjust your ring accordingly.

Stone Replacement

A well-made piece of jewelry should hold its stones properly, but things happen. This is particularly true with rings, which take more of a beating than other pieces of jewelry. Your ring might be missing its main diamond, or one of the smaller accent stones might be missing.

 

If you still have the stone that has fallen out of your jewelry, keep it and bring it in. We can put it back in place. If the stone is missing, we can help you find a replacement stone that is as similar in type, quality, and size as possible. Then, we can set the new-to-you stone back into your piece.

 

We also help with stone replacements if you’re interested in upgrading your jewelry. When you first bought your engagement ring, you might not have been able to afford the big, high-quality diamond that you wanted. Now, your budget might be a little higher, and you might be ready for an upgrade. Depending on the style and setting of your ring, we might be able to place a bigger and better diamond in your ring.

Prong Repairs

Stones are held in place on rings with prongs. Over time, these prongs can begin to wear out. When this happens, it can affect the look of your ring. There is also an increased risk of your stone falling out, which you obviously want to prevent. You might notice that your prongs get snagged on things frequently, that they appear to be thin and fragile, or that your stones are loose. If you notice any of these things, you should take your ring to an expert jewelry repair professional for retipping.

 

Retipping is a form of prong repair. During retipping, a jeweler will reinforce your prongs. This is done by attaching tiny pieces of metal to your prongs and then filing them down. Retipping should generally be done to all of your ring’s prongs at one time. This is because prongs typically wear out at similar rates, so if one prong needs retipping, there’s a good chance that the others do or will need retipping soon. Additionally, retipping just one or two prongs at once can make those prongs stand out and impact the overall appearance of your ring.

 

In some cases, prongs are completely damaged or even missing. In this case, new prongs will need to be put on your ring. Luckily, this is something a jewelry repair technician can do, too.

Chain Repair

If your necklace chain is broken, it might not be beyond repair. A jeweler will work with needle-nose pliers and other tools to repair your chain. A jeweler can also help with untangling a tangled chain or performing other repairs. If your necklace chain is beyond repair, we can help you choose an alternative chain to wear your favorite pendant or charm on.

Shank Repair

Your ring’s “shank” is the part of the ring that wraps around your finger. Over time, the shank can become thin. As this happens, the shank could crack or even split completely. You may think your ring is completely ruined if this has happened, but shank repair is often an option.

 

A jeweler can carefully use soldering equipment to solder metal directly to your ring’s shank. This is done to repair cracks. If your ring’s shank is completely broken, we can help with a shank replacement.

Clasp Repair or Replacement

Clasps on necklaces and bracelets can break due to regular use; after all, the clasp can wear out just a little bit each time you put on or take off your jewelry. Snagging your clasp on something can also cause damage. Obviously, your jewelry needs a good-quality, secure clasp so you can wear your jewelry without losing it.

 

Luckily, if your piece has a damaged clasp, the repair process should be pretty simple. We may be able to repair your clasp, or we can replace the clasp and jump ring completely.

Restoring Old Jewelry

If you’ve recently found a beautiful antique ring, or if someone in your family has recently gifted you a precious family heirloom, you could be wondering if a full restoration is possible. Your old jewelry might need multiple types of repair; for example, a stone might need to be replaced, the precious metals might be tarnished, and there might be other issues. We have lots of experience with antique and vintage jewelry and can help with restoring your piece.