Jewelry Repair 101: Common Issues and When to Fix vs Replace

Assessing Jewelry Damage

When jewelry gets damaged, evaluate: sentimental value, monetary value, extent of damage, cost of repair, and whether the piece can be restored. Many damaged pieces can be repaired economically.

Common Ring Problems

Loose Stones: A jeweler can tighten prongs or reset the stone. Cost typically ranges from $25-75. Bent Shanks: Repair involves reshaping and re-soldering. Cost: $50-150.

Chain Breakages

Chains break commonly near clasps or stress points. Simple chain breaks can be re-linked for $15-40. If multiple links are damaged, section replacement may be needed.

When Replacement Makes More Sense

Replacement is preferable when: repair costs exceed 50% of replacement value, the piece has no precious metal content, or damage is so extensive that structural integrity is compromised.

Conclusion

Most damaged jewelry is worth repairing if the piece has sentimental value or the repair cost is under half the replacement cost.