Guide to Jewelry Care and Repair by Jaxon Toh - HTML preview

Chapter 4. Jewelry Repair

Jewelry repair is a profession just like other technical professions and you’ll need both equipment and training to do the work well. You may want to entrust this work to the professionals, especially for your engagement ring or family heirloom.

Provided below are damage prevention and repair tips for simple damages. You should only attempt the repair if you’re confident. And again, don’t try this on your family heirloom!

Disclaimer: We cannot be held responsible for any damage that may occur on your side. Try this at your own risk!

1. To reduce the need for jewelry repair, do periodic inspection and evaluations. Inspect your jewelry every two to three months or more if you are very active and like to wear your jewelry often.

2. Check to see if your jewelry is becoming worn or dull. Invest in a magnifying glass or jeweler's loop so that you can find problem areas. Check for flat or worn-out spots where constant rubbing can happen. Inspect for thinning or cracking that can lead to bigger problems later.

3. The number one cause of lost gemstones is worn or broken prongs or tips. Check for rattling or movement among gemstones. Inspect in all areas around stones to see if settings are tight and secure. Use a pair of tweezers or a toothpick and gently nudge stones to check for any wiggle or movement. In some cases, impacted dirt under gemstone settings can actually keep stones intact under pressure until they are cleaned, then they can become very loose and fall out if not inspected.

4. Some precious metal jewelry tarnishes easily. To remove tarnish, use a liquid jewelry cleaner with a dipping tray or a spray bottle. Read the instructions on the cleaner first. Wear gloves to protect yourself from the strong chemicals and work in a well-ventilated area. After rinsing the jewelry in warm water, dry it with a towel, then with a polishing cloth.

5. For broken clasps, go to a jewelry supply store or a craft department and purchase a replacement clasp, "jump" rings, and fastening tools. These may also be purchased online in jewelry repair kits.

6. To flatten a chain, lay the piece down on a desk with a layer of cloth and roll a round pen or pencil over the area until it becomes straight.

7. Some tools such as a chain nose (needle nose jeweler's pliers) or other pliers may be helpful. When you need to attach a clasp, a jump ring (loop of gold) may be used to hold parts together. The pliers allow opening and closing the loop. Open a jump ring by moving one side towards you and the other away from you. Twist open then simply twist back the same way to close.

8. If you have a ring that has lost its roundness, you can try to gently put it back in shape again. Find a dowel, metal or wooden handle of a kitchen utensil or any other sturdy, round item that your ring will fit on. Using a rawhide or resin hammer, gently tap the ring back into shape around the round handle. You can also cushion the ring with a towel. Be careful not to damage the ring with the head of the hammer!

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