Honoring Loved Ones with Jewelry Repair and Restoration Services
January 28, 2021
Passed down and inherited pieces of jewelry occupy a special place in our hearts. Not only are they a beloved keepsakes, but they represent the carrying on of an important tradition, something that will one day be passed down to someone you cherish.
But as special as these jewelry pieces are, they often come damaged, worn, or in need of repair. Jewelry restoration services in Vancouver can help you take something old and make it look new again, while preserving all the history and memories that make the piece unique.
Make Old Pieces Shine Again
One thing that most inherited pieces of jewelry have in common is years of accumulated dirt and grime, dulling the metal and leaving precious stones with much to be desired. The first step in restoring jewelry is a very thorough, professional cleaning. This isn’t the type of routine maintenance that you can do yourself, but rather a detailed clean, buffing out of scratches and imperfections, and inspection of the item, looking for any flaws that could result in damage. What remains at the end is a piece that looks as fresh as the day it was made.
Similar Post: Caring for Your Jewelry to Make it Last
Repair Damage
Once a piece has been cleaned, a jeweler will be able to more clearly assess the item. Functional jewelry repairs relate to the ability to actually use or wear a piece. Ring shanks, clasps, and watches often fall victim to wear that renders them unusable. But careful jewelry restoration can breathe life back into even the most neglected pieces; most times you will not even be able to tell exactly where the repairs have been made.
Other times, a jewelry piece may still be wearable, but is at risk of being broken or lost due to unseen damage. Loose settings and bent prongs are examples of the most commonly affected areas, and since they often hold precious stones, they can result in devastating loss. Thankfully, these types of repairs are easily made by skilled restoration professionals. Even if a precious gem or stone has gone missing, replacement stones can be sourced to match what would have been there.
Problems that can be Repaired Include
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Shanks:
We tend to greet the world hands first, so it’s no surprise that even high quality metals can become worn and potentially break. This problem can be remedied with some skillful soldering and additional metal if needed. The same process can even be used to re-size a ring that is too big or too small.
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Prong Re-tipping and Loose Stones:
These little “fingers” are what keep your precious gemstones in place; if they are broken or damaged you risk losing the stone.
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Chains and Clasps:
Broken pieces or missing links, your jeweller can restore either with precisely matched replacements.
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Watches with Broken Crowns or other Mechanical Issues:
There is a lot that goes into making a mechanical watch tick; fortunately it the right hands almost any problem can be fixed.
Also Read: Jewelry Restoration Services are Not Just For Antiques
Redesigning Inherited Jewelry
When it comes to jewelry restoration, some people are primarily concerned with preserving the exact look of the piece; others, however, prefer to take something old and refashion it into something entirely new. This can mean repurposing an earning that is missing its match into a pendant, while maintaining its original appearance, or using components of a piece and transforming it into something entirely new, like taking the stones from a ring and using them to create a custom piece.
When it comes to restoring antique or period jewellery, the process can be a little more complex than with a traditional jewelry repair. However, the payoff is a unique piece with special significance that can be worn and appreciated, not left forgotten in the back of a jewelry box. To find a jewelry repair near me, visit our locations.