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.
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
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.
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.
These little “fingers” are what keep your precious gemstones in place; if they are broken or damaged you risk losing the stone.
Broken pieces or missing links, your jeweller can restore either with precisely matched replacements.
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
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.
Do you have a favourite pair of earrings, watch, bracelet, or ring, that have severely lost their luster and you just aren’t sure what to do with them? If you have a damaged piece of precious-to-you jewelry that needs more than just a polish, it may be time for jewelry restoration services. Yes, that’s right, jewelry restoration services are not only for vintage or antique jewelry pieces, restoration services are for any piece of jewelry that could use a little, or a lot of TLC to restore them to their original state of glory.
These may sound like two different ways to say the same thing, however there is a big difference between a jewelry repair and jewelry restoration services. Jewelry repair involves addressing some fairly obvious defects – a broken clasp, bent prong, or missing link, however jewelry restoration services, which often include repairs, take it one step further to restore your jewelry piece to (or very close to) its original state. This process requires a skilled hand equipped with the right tools and knowledge to restore your piece without leaving any trace of the restoration.
Some jewelry simply needs a deft hand and the right equipment to bring it back to its original state. These jewelry restoration services may include a deep clean, polishing, migraine detailing, and enhancing worn filigree. Even jewelry pieces that have been damaged beyond recognition are salvageable. This may include completely worn detailing, illegible engravings, or severely tarnished metal.
Other jewelry pieces may require more in-depth jewelry restoration services that include a repair component. If the damage to your piece is more than just cosmetic, skilled repairs may also be required. A skilled jeweler can overseer-cutting of precious stones, tightening a setting, and building up worn prongs and shanks.What separates a jeweller who can simply repair a piece from one who can restore a piece are the materials and techniques used. A quality restoration will be indistinguishable from the original piece of jewellery.
In cases of more severe damage, jewelry restoration services may be required to replace rather than repair some of the damaged components. These services may include replacement missing prongs, replicating a clasp, or selecting and cutting a perfectly matched precious stone to replace one that is missing. Where a less skilled jeweler may attempt a restoration repair with lesser quality materials and without the skills and knowledge required to incorporate seamless transitions, an expert jeweler with experience in restorations will have the required tools and knowledge to make the repairs indistinguishable from the original.
Your jewelry is often more than just a fashion statement. It can complete an outfit, but it can also represent a promise to someone, a memory passed down through generations, or a celebration of an accomplishment. Whether your jewelry is new or antique, it should be cared for properly so that it will mostly only require minor maintenance instead of major jewelry repair. Here are some ways to properly care for your beautiful pieces.
Keep your gemstones out of the sun!
Just as with many other colourful things, the sun’s harmful rays can alter the colour of gemstones if left in it directly for a long period of time. When you are storing your gemstone jewelry, be sure to store it away from direct sunlight to keep the natural vibrant colours over time.
Keep cleaning simple
In many cases, you can buy expensive cleaning solutions to clean your jewelry, however the best at home method to use is still a simple mix of soap and water with a soft bristled brush (a soft bristled toothbrush can work wonders). Especially on gemstones, it is important keep it simple. Harsh chemicals or strong vibrations can damage the stones. Get back to the basics for the best results at home!
Put it on last
If you are getting ready for a night out on the town, be sure that your jewelry is the last part of your outfit you put on and the first part to be taken off at the end of the night. Many chains are quite delicate and can easily get caught on clothing and break. Also, lotions, perfumes, sprays, etc., can cause damage to delicate jewelry pieces and make them dirty as well. Protect your jewelry now, so you won’t need jewelry repair later.
Take your jewelry in for maintenance at the first sign of a problem
Just like anything else in your life that gets used regularly, if you want it to last, you have to give it some tender loving care. Watches should be taken to a jeweler to be cleaned and fixed once every 3-5 years; rings can be cleaned, resized, or have the prongs re tightened or re-tipped when needed; and chains should be cleaned and checked for clasp issues and wear. Some regular maintenance is the best method to ensure your jewelry lasts for years to come.
If properly cared for, jewelry can stand the test of time but be sure to maintain it and get jewelry repair completed when you do notice any issues.
Jewelry is often more than just a pretty accessory that glistens in the sunlight. Jewelry is sometimes passed down through generations and holds a special place in its owners’ hearts. Sometimes we give jewels to say, “I love you”, “congratulations”, or even “be mine for the rest of our lives.” Jewelry is given to send a message.
You have probably heard the phrase “diamonds are forever”, however the jewelry that they are placed in doesn’t always last forever. As time goes on, the prongs that hold your precious stones in place may become bent or worn, the metal may get tarnished, or worse, you may lose stones or have breaks in the chain. All of these things can leave you nervous about wearing your jewelry, or even unable to do so.
These issues and more can be fixed and prevented by taking your treasured pieces in for jewelry restoration services. With the proper tools and a skilled jeweler, nearly any piece of jewelry can be restored to brand new condition.
Over time, jewelry will get dirty and lose its beautiful shine. It is important to clean your jewelry regularly on your own; however, for a nice touch up, it is also a good idea to take your jewelry in for a thorough cleaning and polishing to keep it sparkling like new.
Chains may end up broken due to regular wear, especially with delicate chains. Repairing broken links and clasps on bracelets, necklaces, and anklets is quite common and can save an otherwise unusable accessory.
Over the span of years, finger size can change, or older rings may be passed down to a new person. In either case, a resizing would be required to make the ring larger or smaller.
Over time, the prongs that keep the stones in place may become bent or worn away. This leaves your stones vulnerable to becoming loose or falling out. The claws can be replaced or re-tipped in order to ensure that your stones stay tightly in place.
Especially in antique jewelry, stones will often be lost or fall out. Jewelry restoration services are able to replace stones that may have fallen out or even swap out a stone for a new stone if you desire a change.
In some circumstances, sometimes a stone will become chipped or cracked. A jewelry restoration expert should be able to recut your stones to ensure that they do not become further damaged and if desired, the re-cut stone could be transferred to a different piece of jewelry.