When Jewelry Repair Goes Wrong

While some repair failures will not be immediately known, others will be evident to the naked eye. Here are just a few of the costs of low-quality jewelry repair:

Cracked or chipped stones

If too much pressure is placed on your stone during setting by someone who is inexperienced in jewelry repair, it can result in cracks or chips in your stone.

Poorly formed prongs

A telltale sign of poor prong repair is blobs on the end of them, usually evidence that the repairperson rushed to finish the job instead of taking the necessary time to reform and blend the prong into its original shape.

Visible seams

A professional jeweler should not leave behind any seams that you can feel or see when they've resized your jewelry.

Tool marks

Jewelry repair completed by an ill-equipped service may show evidence of hammering or leave behind plier marks that they failed to polish out after completing your repairs.

Thinner ring shank

If your jewelry repair person cut corners when resizing your ring, you may notice that your shank is thinner in some places or that the entire ring is thinner than it was before. An experienced jeweler with proper training in repairs will discuss your options for resizing before they begin any work and will let you know if the suggested method will change the visible or structural integrity of your ring.

To learn more about how to select a professional jeweler to complete your jewelry repairs, consult us through

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How to Clean and Store Your Jewelry

Ongoing jewelry maintenance should be part of your overall plan to maximize your investments and minimize the need for jewelry repairs. With each new piece that you purchase, your jeweler should advise you on its specific requirements for storage, cleaning, and inspection. Additionally, you should discuss insurance for your jewelry with your jeweler who may be able to offer you guidance on what to look for in coverage, as well as any appraisals you'll need to provide to the insurer.

Jewelry Maintenance & Storage

While each piece of your jewelry may have specific needs that your jeweler will advise you on, there are some standard storage, cleaning, and maintenance rules you should follow:

Storage - Store your jewelry in a dry place in separate compartments so they cannot scratch each other. If possible, a fabric-lined box or container is ideal, though you may also wrap each piece individually in soft cloth if you don't have a fabric-lined or compartmentalized box for storage.

Cleaning - Regular cleanings at home can keep your jewelry sparkling in between professional cleanings, but take care to only use solutions your jeweler approves. For a list of common solutions you can buy or make at home, see our post on jewelry cleaning and maintenance linked at the end of this section.

Inspections - Bring your jewelry in for your jeweler to inspect once a year, at a minimum. Pieces that you wear every day may require more frequent visits for inspection and professional cleaning. Many jewelers provide these services at no charge if you purchased the jewelry from them.

You should also inspect your jewelry every day before you wear it, through this need not be a lengthy process. Look closely at clasps and chains for any breaks and examine bands and rings for loose stones or any indication of wear. If anything seems off, call your jeweler and ask when you can bring it in to determine what repairs, if any, are needed before you can safely wear the piece again.

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Professional Jewelry Repair Near You

You've invested your money and your emotions into much of your most cherished jewelry. You can extend the longevity of each piece and ensure its continued beauty by following some simple maintenance tips and partnering with a jeweler you can trust.Don't trust your treasured jewelry to just anyone. An independent local jeweler with experience and a solid reputation should be sought to preserve and repair your jewelry. Before you shop for jewelry repairs near you, ask for recommendations from friends and family and seek out customer reviews. After narrowing your list, schedule a consultation only with those whose training, experience, and reputation back up their claims about quality.

If you're looking for jewelry repair in San Francisco, we invite you to read what our customers have been saying about us over our many decades in the business.

To schedule a free consultation, We're proud to be the trusted family jeweler to so many who call San Francisco home, and we'd love to add you to our ever-growing family tree.

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Cracked or chipped stones - If too much pressure is placed on your stone during setting by someone who is inexperienced in jewelry repair, it can result in cracks or chips in your stone.

Poorly formed prongs - A telltale sign of poor prong repair is blobs on the end of them, usually evidence that the repairperson rushed to finish the job instead of taking the necessary time to reform and blend the prong into its original shape.

Visible seams - A professional jeweler should not leave behind any seams that you can feel or see when they've resized your jewelry.

Tool marks - Jewelry repair completed by an ill-equipped service may show evidence of hammering or leave behind plier marks that they failed to polish out after completing your repairs.

Thinner ring shank - If your jewelry repair person cut corners when resizing your ring, you may notice that your shank is thinner in some places or that the entire ring is thinner than it was before. An experienced jeweler with proper training in repairs will discuss your options for resizing before they begin any work and will let you know if the suggested method will change the visible or structural integrity of your ring.

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FAQ

Can you repair jewelry?

Yes! Here is information on all repairs.

How long do repairs take?

Repairs typically take 2-4 weeks, depending on how busy we are.

Do you repurpose heirloom jewelry?

Yes! Here is information on repurposing jewelry.

Can you create something custom for me?

Yes! Here is information on designing a custom piece.

How much do custom jobs cost?

This really depends on what you’re wanting to create. Simply re-setting a stone would be a few hundred dollars, but creating a brand new ring can be thousands of dollars. Come by our shop or contact us for a free consultation!

Do you resize rings?

Yes! Here is information on all repairs.

Do you sell / re-sell watches?

No, we do not carry watches and we do not re-sell.

Can you fix my watch/change my watch batteries?

Yes! Here is information on watch repairs. We are certified to take in Rolex watches for repairs.

Will you buy my jewelry?

No, we do not buy jewelry.

Can I sell you my gold?

We melt gold and can offer scrap-metal pricing if you’d like to bring it in.

Do you do trade-ins or stone upgrading?

No, we do not do trade-ins, stone upgrading, or any such things.

Do you make grills or gold teeth?

We do not!

Can you restring my pearls or beads?

Yes, we can! Here is information on repairs.