Jewelry Repair Disasters and How to Avoid Them

There are a lot of things you can DIY in a pinch — sew a ripped seam, maybe, or paint the walls in your living room to cover a scratched spot. But when it comes to your jewelry, you should be really careful about which things you try to fix on your own. Your jewelry is precious, and there are some repairs that can end disastrously if handled incorrectly. In this article, we’ll cover the DIY repairs you might want to try, when to seek a jeweler’s help, and all the ways you can take care of your jewelry for long lasting shine. 

DIY Jewelry Repair: Proceed with Caution

There are some jewelry repairs that don’t take too many complicated tools or training to do in a pinch. However, know that performing a jewelry repair on your own comes with risks. Here are a few simple repairs you can do at home:

Cleaning tarnished metal

A very common occurrence with metal jewelry is that it tends to tarnish over time. Even with great care (which can keep your pieces shinier for much longer), it’s in most metals’ nature to tarnish with age. Tarnish happens as a result of moisture and residue buildup, which is inevitable with any wear. 

To clean tarnished jewelry, you can create a simple at-home cleaning solution using warm water and dish soap. Combine the two, and then use a soft cloth or very soft-bristled brush (like a toothbrush) to apply the solution to your metal jewelry. Take great care to avoid any gemstones as scratching them can create damage. Once your jewelry is looking better, give it a rinse with fresh water and dry it with a dry cloth very thoroughly. Since moisture is a culprit of tarnish, it’s imperative that you dry your jewelry as well as you can. 

Tightening loose links

With many necklaces, bracelets, or anklets, a loose link can render it useless. Without the security of a metal link closing, your chain won’t clasp or could fall off. But with a little patience and the right tools, there’s a chance you can fix the problem at home. Using a pair of tweezers or pliers, gently pinch together the sides of the metal link — they’re normally thin and malleable enough to make sure the two ends meet. While it might not look perfect — sometimes the link can overlap — it will likely be hard to notice from far away, and your jewelry will still be usable. 

Untangling jewelry knots

A tangled chain or a mess of lots of jewelry items can be frustrating. But there are definitely ways to fix it yourself, with enough patience and the right tools. Get in good lighting, and set your jewelry out on a clean, plain surface. Using tweezers, try to pick apart the knots in the chains to set your jewelry free. This can take a lot of time, so be patient and take breaks if you need to come back to the task.

Necklaces before and after untangling

Common Jewelry Repair Disasters

Repairing jewelry on your own can be cost effective and rewarding — when it works. Other times, it can lead to some disastrous outcomes. Here are some common jewelry repair mishaps to avoid:

• Broken prongs and lost stones: Attempting to repair a loose or broken prong on your own is quite an undertaking. It requires specialized tools and training to ensure that the prongs can actually hold the gemstones safely, so this is best left to the pros. Trying to repair a prong without knowing what you're doing can lead to a broken metal prong which can ultimately lead to losing the beautiful gemstone it holds — that’s an upsetting and expensive loss. 
• Cleaning incorrectly: Using the wrong cleaning tools can lead to damage, so it’s important to use the safest and most basic cleaning techniques to ensure that you’re not contributing to metal or gemstone weakening. We recommend avoiding cleaning solutions since some can use chemicals that contribute to metal deterioration, and similarly, we recommend avoiding ultrasonic cleaners since many jewelry materials are much too delicate for this machine. When in doubt with cleaning, consult the pros.
• Soldering incorrectly: Though you can purchase a soldering iron to fix certain issues with metal attachments, it’s a risky move. Soldering incorrectly can lead to weakened metal, which is more likely to break. Repairing this type of mistake can be costly, so be sure to seek professional jewelers services when your jewelry needs soldering work.  

Prevention: The Best Form of Repair

The best way to avoid a repair disaster is to prevent repairs in the first place. Taking great daily care of your jewelry can help you save time and headaches that come with repairs. Here are a few tried and true methods to make sure your jewelry is properly cared for:

Store your jewelry properly

When you’re not wearing your jewelry, it’s a good idea to keep it in a safe place. This prevents any chance of it falling the counter or getting exposed to moisture in a place like the bathroom that tends to get humid. Keep your jewelry in a designated place like a covered jewelry box lined with fabric, ideally, or even a small jewelry dish to keep on your nightstand.  

Clean your jewelry regularly 

When you take off your jewelry at the end of the day, take a few extra moments to wipe it down with a microfiber cloth. This can help to remove any residue buildup from the day and keep your jewelry well-kept between cleanings.  

Avoid exposure to harmful substances

Try to avoid exposing your jewelry to harmful substances like cleaning products, perfumes, and hairsprays. Many of these contain chemicals that can damage your jewelry in the long term. One helpful way to avoid exposure is to put your jewelry on last when getting ready — put on your sunscreen, lotion, perfumes, and hairsprays before putting on your jewelry so it comes into as little contact with these substances as possible. 

Remove your jewelry during activities

When you know you’re going to engage in an activity that could damage your jewelry, be sure to take it off. Gardening, swimming, baking…there are a number of activities that could put your jewelry in harm’s way, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry, and put your jewelry in your designated spot. 

When to Seek a Jewelry Professional’s Help

Of course, we hope you know that you can always come to the professionals when you need help with your jewelry. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out to ask about repairs and recommendations. When it comes to complex repairs like stone resetting, chain soldering, or watch face replacement, it’s best to take it to the professionals. Similarly, if you’re nervous about a fragile, valuable, or antique piece of jewelry, asking a jeweler for their counsel is helpful. They have special techniques for handling delicate jewelry so it stays in great condition. Our team is always available to help you keep your jewelry looking its best. Get in touch with us today to find out what we can help you repair.