Repair of an heirloom

jewellery repair

Jewellery repair

A Specialised Skill

Not all jewellers offer repair as a service. Many jewellery shops lack on-site workshops or skilled craftsmen, which prevents them from providing jewellery repair services.

Repairing jewellery requires specific skills through training. It is a unique specialisation within the jewellery trade.

jewellery repair
Antique 18ct yellow gold ring set with a sapphire and diamond cluster with engraved fancy detailing in the shoulders of the ring.

Learning the Art of Jewellery Repair

Honing my repair skills, while freelancing for a jeweller in the Brighton Lanes. Offering a repair services, to their customers. I learned this invaluable craftsmanship during my time there.

The Sentimental Value of Jewellery

Jewellery often carries deep sentimental value, which makes remodelling unsuitable in certain cases. Last week, a customer brought me a gold ring she had inherited from her mother. She wanted to preserve it and pass it down to the next generation.

images: customer’s inherited ring from her grandmother which needed sizing down 6 sizes. 

Diagnosing the Jewellery Repair Needs

The ring needed multiple repairs. A small diamond was missing, and another was about to fall out. The central sapphire was also loose. I tightened the claws holding the sapphire—a straightforward task—but the worn-down gold claws required re-tipping, which was more complex.

To restore the ring, I drew down new 18ct gold wire and filed the old claws to match it. Then, I soldered the new gold wire to the old claws. Once I installed the new claws, I shaped them to blend seamlessly with the original design. Finally, I reset the diamonds.

A Treasured Heirloom Repaired

After completing the repair, my customer was thrilled to have a restored sapphire and diamond gold ring that she could proudly pass down to the next generation. If you have a cherished piece in need of repair, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d be delighted to help bring it back to life.

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