Jewelry and Watch Repair 101: Expert Answers To Some Of The Most Common Repair Questions
Your favorite jewelry pieces and watches are more than just accessories - they’re keepsakes that carry some of your most special memories.
Whether it’s that bracelet you got for Christmas all those years ago, your beloved engagement ring, or even a pocket watch that your granddad passed down to you, the pieces in your jewelry box are meaningful.
That’s why when your jewelry or timepieces break, you can only trust them to the best and most respectable jewelers.
But, before you do that, let’s take a look at how professional jewelers repair broken pieces and
answer some of the most common questions we get about jewelry and watch repairs.
What can jewelers fix?
Professional jewelers can help you keep your jewelry and timepieces looking spotless by repairing anything from
everyday wear and tear to severe damage. Fortunately, the most common issues that need repairing can be easily fixed, including:
• Ring resizing
• Prong repair and replacement
• Jewelry remounting
• Gemstone and diamond replacement or upgrading
• Pearl restringing
• Bracelet and necklace clasp replacement
• Chain repair, lengthening, and shortening
• Ring shank soldering
• Jewelry refinishing and revitalization
• Watch repairs
• Routine cleaning and polishing
Can a jeweler fix a cut ring?
Of course! In fact, broken shank repairs are much more common than you think. After all, even though rings are made using sturdy precious metals, occasional fractures can happen over time - especially when it comes to jewelry pieces you rarely ever take off, such as a wedding band.
Fortunately, though, cut rings are easy to repair. All we need to do is solder a piece of precious metal onto the broken part of the shank, then polish it to perfection, and voilà! Your ring is good as new.
Does resizing a ring damage it?
To resize your ring, our goldsmiths have to cut its shank and either add or remove the necessary amount of precious metal to make your ring fit you perfectly. Then, they solder the band back together and polish it to perfection.
Luckily, you don’t have to worry about this process damaging your precious ring! Our experts can seamlessly resize your ring in a way that’s completely harmless to your beloved piece.
Can you fix a snapped gold chain?
Most gold chains can be repaired, but the thickness of the chain and the intricacy of the links determine how simple or complex the repair is.
While some chains can be fixed simply by adding an extra link, others take longer to achieve a seamless result. Hiding the repair can be more challenging on thread-like chains than paperclip links, for example.
Can my chipped diamond be repaired?
Generally speaking, chipped diamonds can be repaired. However, there are some factors you should consider beforehand.
Given that re-cutting a diamond is the best way to repair a chip, the size of your diamond should always be taken into account before deciding whether to repair or replace it. That is, if your diamond is under .20cts, then replacing it is better than re-cutting it.
If your diamond is bigger than that, then you should also take into account its sentimental value. Although you could re-cut your chipped diamond, if you don’t mind replacing it, the best thing to do is to trade it up for a newer, brighter - and maybe even bigger - diamond!
If you choose to upgrade your diamond, you can then add the chipped diamond to another jewelry piece, such as a custom pendant, and cover the chip with a creative design element.
Can watches be repaired?
Sure! Taking your timepieces to a professional from time to time is necessary to keep them in tip-top condition. Watch repairs can range from quick battery changes to full overhauls. Here’s an overview of the different watch repair services we offer:
• Battery and strap replacement
• Polishing and cleaning
• Time accuracy and water-resistance testing
• Dial, crystal, and bezel repair or replacement
• Complication and grand complication repair
• Pocket watch repair
• Overhauls
Where to repair jewelry and watches in Virginia?
With over a century of experience, Schwarzschild Jewelers offers the broadest scope of jewelry and timepiece repair service in the industry. Our team of experts can restore your broken pieces back to their original glory in our on-site, state-of-the-art repair facility.
We invite you to visit us in Richmond, Charlottesville, or Midlothian, to see first-hand how we care for you and your jewelry. And, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with our latest news and get some stunning jewelry inspiration!
