People can often overlook signs that tell them when their jewelry may need maintenance. There are some ways to spot these signs.
One of the first things you should look for is thin or broken ends. If the ends are intact and in place, your stones are safe. When the tips wear down, the strength and integrity of your stones decreases. One of the things we can do to fix this is to add metal and reshape the prongs to hold the gemstones correctly.
Another sign you can look for is loose stones. To check if a large diamond or gemstone is loose, you can tap the ring on your hand and try to hear a clicking sound that indicates a gem is loose. You can also spot small spinning stones if you look close enough. This indicates that the tips are worn or bent. If you replace it with a simple spike, you can prevent your gemstones from falling out. There are some signs to understand whether your jewelry needs repair. Now, let's examine these signs together.
How Do We Know When It's Time to Care for Your Jewelry?
We all want our jewelry to last as long as possible. A big part of ensuring this is finding a reliable repair professional and having your jewelry repaired when needed. In theory, this sounds simple. In practice, it's a little more difficult to know exactly when it's the right time to seek professional help.
The key to detecting damage early is to make a habit of routinely inspecting your jewelry. This way, you can identify early signs of damage and prevent a simple jewelry repair from becoming too expensive.
We'll look at four common types of jewelry damage and warning signs to look out for.
Thin Shaft
The shaft is the bottom part of a ring that goes around the finger, often called a band. Even the most durable types of metal will wear out over time, causing the handle to thin and potentially even crack. Because this part of the ring is often hidden when worn, signs of damage can be easy to miss. Remove your ring and examine the band, especially the part of the body closest to the palm where it will wear most quickly. Is the band starting to look thinner? Are there visible cracks? Does it bend easily? If any or all of these are true, it's time to stop wearing the ring and take it to a jewelry repair professional to assess the damage before it breaks completely.
Damaged Prong
Snagging on a sweater or fluffy towel is a common annoyance that any jewelry wearer is familiar with and could be a sign of more serious damage. While beautiful, nail settings can be magnets for routine wear and tear, whether it's a ring, bracelet or a pair of earrings.
The best way to check for tip damage is to touch them! Undamaged ends feel thicker with a rounded top, while damaged ends may feel thinner with a flattened top. The prongs can bend, especially if you accidentally drop or knock a piece of jewelry off a hard surface. Check for bent ends by carefully examining the setting and checking that the ends are evenly spaced. If some nails appear closer together than others, a nail may be bent. That's when you'll know it's time to have your repair professional replace the bending, twisting, or offending prong again and have your jewelry repaired!
Damaged Stone
You look at a ring or bracelet you love and realize a stone is missing, leaving only the dark hole of space. Whether you find the stone or not, the shock of momentarily losing a precious jewel will not soon be forgotten. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent a gem crystal from falling off altogether. Stones become loose for a variety of reasons, from damaged ends to chipped stones. Usually this is the result of routine wear or your jewelry falling victim to a sharp blow. With regular inspection, you can usually catch a loose stone before it disappears. Try using a toothpick to gently examine the stone and see if it wiggles or twists. If so, stop wearing the item until you have secured your jewelry or until you lose the stone altogether and a simple squeeze turns it into an exact replacement.
Worn Buckle and Chain
Even the strongest-looking chains can be susceptible to damage. One minute your necklace is tightly around your neck and the next it's on the floor. The culprit could be a broken link or faulty buckle. As with all other types of jewelry, routine inspection is key to detecting early signs of damage. Inspect your chain from time to time and check for stretching or discoloration that may indicate targeted wear on the chain that could lead to breakage.