The Art of Jewelry Repair: Restoring Your Treasured Pieces
Jewelry holds a special place in our hearts. Whether it’s a family heirloom passed down for generations or a gift from a loved one, each piece has its own sentimental value. That’s why when these treasured pieces get damaged, it can be heartbreaking.
Thankfully, with the help of jewelry repair experts, most damage can be repaired, restoring your beloved accessories to their former glory. Here are four of the most common jewelry repair services and how they can bring your treasured pieces back to life.
Ring Resizing Services
One of the most common reasons for seeking jewelry repair is ring resizing. Whether it’s because the ring is too tight or too loose, resizing can make all the difference in the comfort and wearability of your ring.
At Watch & Wares, we understand that each ring is unique, and resizing requires careful attention to preserve its design and structure. Our team of experienced jewelers uses specialized tools and techniques to resize your ring without compromising its quality.
They begin by determining the correct size of the ring. This can be done by measuring your finger or referencing an existing ring that fits comfortably. Our jewelers will then carefully cut the ring’s shank and add or remove the necessary metal to achieve the desired size. The ring is then soldered back together, and any visible seams are smoothed out to ensure the ring looks seamless. Before returning the ring to you, our jewelers will polish and clean it to restore its shine and ensure it looks better than ever.
Cracked Band Repair
Another common issue with rings is a cracked band. This can be caused by daily wear and tear, such as working out or swimming, or it can be caused by one-time accidental damage. Regardless of the cause, however, a cracked band is essential to repair. Even if it isn’t cracked all the way through, a small crack will weaken your ring’s structure, making it more susceptible to further damage.
If you bring your cracked band to our jewelry repair store, our team will begin by carefully reshaping the ring back to a perfect circle. They will then solder the two parts of the ring back together, much like the ring resizing process. In some cases, the affected area may need to be cut out and replaced with new metal. In this instance, our team will work meticulously to ensure the new band matches the rest of the ring, leaving no visible signs of jewelry repair.
Prong Repair
Prongs are small, metal claw-like structures that hold gemstones securely in place in jewelry. Over time, they can become worn out or bent, causing the gemstone to loosen or even fall out. If you notice a loose gemstone in your ring, earring, or necklace, it’s important to visit a jewelry repair store immediately to avoid losing the stone.
If your prongs are simply bent out of place, we may be able to fix the issue by simply bending them back to their correct position. However, if the prongs are too worn out or damaged, they may need to be rebuilt. In this case, we will either replace the entire head of your piece or repair the individual prongs by soldering more metal to them. Regardless of the method, you can rest assured that your gemstones will be held securely in place after your jewelry repair.
Loose Gemstone Repair
Loose gemstones are one of the most stressful types of jewelry damage, as gemstones are often the most expensive and most valued part of your accessory. If you notice a loose gemstone, or if your gemstone falls out of your jewelry entirely, store it safely until you can get to a jewelry repair store.
At Watch & Wares, we will inspect the jewelry to determine whether the cause is a misshapen or missing prong, a prong with a missing tip, or damage to the gemstone itself. Whatever the cause, Watch & Wares has master jewelers and expert gemologists on staff who can repair your gemstone and ensure it is securely set in place once again.
If you’re searching for the best jewelry repair store in Orange County, Watch & Wares is the premier choice. Our decades of experience make us the jeweler that other jewelers turn to when they need help. Our master jeweler boasts over 40 years of experience in the field of jewelry repair, and we use state-of-the-art tools to repair and restore jewelry pieces to their original state.
To experience the Watch & Wares difference for yourself, give us a call at 714-633-2030 or fill out our online contact form today and get started with a free repair estimate. You can also stop by our jewelry repair store in Orange, CA, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We look forward to working with you!