Academic pride comes in a variety of forms; a graduation photo, a framed diploma, or a special class ring. These little jewels are the gleaming, shiny sign that you made it through a school- so what to do when they’re no longer gleaming and shiny? Here’s the rundown on how to get class rings fixed.
Why Class Rings are Difficult to Fix
Class rings can be some of the trickiest pieces of jewelry to repair. Almost all class rings have incredibly intricate designs that may include engravings, enameling, and stones. This complexity also extends to rings that were created to indicate membership in certain organizations, such as professional rings, military rings, and other kinds of scholastic class rings.
The physical makeup of the ring can also limit your options when it comes to finding someone to repair the item. Many class rings are made out of tough materials such as stainless steel, tungsten, and commercially-limited alloys that may be specific to a particular manufacturer, such as Jostens. Siladium, for instance, is a particular stainless steel alloy that is used to make high school and college rings. Most jewelers cannot size it, but companies with manufacturing capabilities such as Quick Jewelry Repairs have the equipment to manipulate this type of metal.
Aside from their designs, even the option of sending the ring back to the original manufacturer can be troubling- many people opt to search for someone cheaper. The ring resizing cost for sending it back to Balfour, for example, is comparatively higher than a local jeweler’s price because they need to intake the ring and pass it along to the appropriate facility or department for the work.
The Process of Class Ring Repair
1. Evaluate
The first (and most important) thing a jeweler will do when receiving an item is to give it a thorough examination. Class rings require a lot of evaluation, since the complicated designs can also complicate the repair process. Below is a list of factors to take into account:
- Enameling: Enameling is the process that puts a hard, colored glaze on your ring. It’s a powdered glass mixture that’s “baked” onto the surface of the metal, and over time it can crack and fall off. When exposed to pressure or high heat, it can also melt off, making it difficult for the jeweler to retain the original design of the ring. Many class rings incorporate enamel into their designs to display school colors; Herff Jones rings will almost always contain enamel because they use it to highlight the carvings on the shoulders of the rings.
- Stones: The gems in your item can affect a number of things. Depending on how they’re set, that can severely limit the number of sizes a ring can go up or down in the sizing process. Missing or cracked stones have to be replaced, and in some situations the replacement stone may need custom cutting, as class rings can be quite creative with gem design.
- Metals: Most jewelers do not have the ability to work with stainless steel, which is a popular material for class rings. This is due to the notorious toughness of the metal; it requires special equipment and expertise in order to manipulate it.
Once the jeweler has taken all necessary notes on the ring’s design and materials, they will look at the work needed.
2. Resize, Repair and/or Restore
The repair work varies from ring to ring, but the most common repairs have to do with resizing or fixing the ring’s shank.
Class Ring Resizing
- Many class rings have a flat top, with corner-like “shoulders.” While this design is a classic and easily identifiable as an academic piece of jewelry, it also limits the sizing. If the ring is going up or down too many sizes, this table-like design may possibly become distorted or even collapse.
- Even the resizing process can cause issues. A ring is resized by cutting into the band, and either adding or removing material to size accordingly. The heat that needs to be applied to the metal during this process will melt off any enamel, and potentially burn any faux stones that are made out of plastic or glass.
- To prevent these situations from happening, the jeweler makes use of various techniques and equipment to minimize the heat used during the process, or reduce the area of exposure. He may opt to use a laser soldering machine, or unset any stones to reset them after the sizing process.
Class Ring Shank Repair
- Over time, the shank, or the back of the class ring, can thin out or break from wear and tear. This renders the ring completely unwearable.
- The repair work needed will depend on the extent of the damage. If there is a small crack or cut in the shank, the jeweler can simply solder it shut. If the shank is too thin or broken into pieces, it will require a shank replacement.
- A shank replacement is the process of replacing the shank with a new and thicker strip of matching material in order to create a solid, wearable band. The jeweler fuses the metal at the ends of the ring to make it uniform and even. While this gives the ring a brand new look and allows you to wear it again, it will remove any interior marks, like metal stamps or engravings.
3. Finishing
Once the heavy-duty work is finished, the ring is moved to finishing, such as polishing, cleaning, plating, and enameling.
Polishing
The repair process leaves behind rough and uneven patches of metal, as well as scratches from the jeweler’s tools. The polishing process can buff out all of these imperfections, and even create different looks, such as a matte finish.
Cleaning
After polishing, the jewelry must be cleaned, as the polishing and repair work leaves soot and other residue all over the ring. The ring is cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner, which is a tank of water that blasts bubbles at the item to remove grime from the tiniest cracks.
Plating
Some class rings have details that are gold-plated, and the plating can wear off over time or during repair work. In order to fix the discoloration, the jeweler makes sure that the surface is properly prepared by the polisher before moving it to the plating process. Depending on the work needed, the entire piece is either submerged into a gold-plating tank, or touched up with a plating pen.
Enameling
The final touch; if enamel was part of the design, it may have been affected during the repair. The jeweler takes note of the original design by referring to a picture taken before work, and re-enamels the ring. The ring is then “baked” or “cured” in order to harden the enamel and fuse it to the surface of the class ring.
You’re all set to begin fixing up your own class ring!
Community Discussion
Questions, experiences, and expert answers from the QJR community.
I have an old 1965 class ring and was wondering if I could have the stones replaced. The ring is worn but I like the look.
Hi Ed, someone we’ll reach out with further details shortly!
My 1963 college ring’s stone was broken and I need it replaced. (Blue Zircon)The ring is all gold with no enamel. Do you think you or someone can replace the stone?
Hi Herman, we can actually help replace the stone for you! Someone will reach out to you via email shortly. 🙂
My class ring school colors have fallen out of the side. Any way to replace them?
Hi Tara, can you provide a picture of the ring and tell us what color needs to be replaced?
I have a 1961 HS class ring that has lost the “TJ” off the top of the stone.
It has the two little holes to anchor the initials. Is this possible to replace the letters?
Hi there, unfortunately, we aren’t able to replace letters on top of stones. We can definitely help replace the stone itself but we don’t have the capability of replacing the letter overlays. Please let us know if you’d like assistance with replacing your stone instead!
I moved and how do i get the mascot off of it and changed?
Hi Kayla, Please send us a few pictures of your ring to [email protected] for further assistance! 🙂
Hello my name is Carmelo Reyes and I have a Gold 1987 class ring that is in perfect condition. I purchased it from a jewler in Chicago but can’t remember where. I need it resized and was woindering if thats something you can do. Also, I had the jem stone replaced with a Diamond from my wifes wedding ring. This Diamond is very important to me as we replaced my wifes original Diamond with a larger stone and this is her original diamond when we get married. Please let me know.
Thank you,
Carmelo
Hi there, keep an eye out for an email from us!
Hello.. I’ve had and worn my class ring since given to me in 96. Its the only thing I have left that my Daddy gave me before he was killed. Last night the stone fell out and im trying not to have a panic attack. Is there a way to get it replaced?
Hi LaRonda, please email us a picture of your ring and the stone to [email protected] for further assistance!
My class ring is 2 sizes to small. Can it be enlarged.
Hi There, sure it can! Please use this link if you’d like to place an order with us. 🙂
https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/ring-sizing-up/
Hi! Is it possible to resize a class ring from size 6 to 7 and also modify the engraving (the year and the high school)? It is a very special ring that has been in my family for 40 years, and it was my mom’s class ring. I attached a picture that is basically identical. It is made out of 10k gold. And if it is possible, how much would it be?
Hi Jane, we can definitely take care of these repairs for you. It will cost around $54 to resize up and will cost around $56 to remove the engravings and re engrave the numbers. Please let me know if you would like to move forward with these services by sending us an email to [email protected]
Thank you! 🙂
My 2010 class ring has lost its gems. I want to replace the gems and get the ring gold
Hi there, could you please provide a picture of the ring and tell us what kind of gem you would like to replace? Thank you!
How much to replace a stone?
We emailed you!
I would like to get the stone replaced in my class ring. Can you do that?
Hi there, we can help you with that. We’ve reached out to you via email.
My friend broke the stone in his class ring,can it be fixed
Can you change the degree (e.g. DDS to MD) and year on a class ring (‘61 to ‘21)? Thanks!
I’ve got a US Army ring and the stone in it has broken. Parts of the stone are still attached to the ring. Can the stone be fixed?
Hi there, you’d need an entirely new stone. We’ve emailed you for more details.
Hello, my grandfather has given me his gold class ring from when he was in college. If I am wanting to get it resized, where could I take it to get it resized?
Thanks
Hi Jim, we can take care of that for you! We’ve emailed you for more details.
I have a class ring from 2001 that the gold emblem fell off of can you repair it ?
Hi James, we’ll need to see the piece but if you have the emblem we can definitely reattach it! We’ve emailed you 🙂
Major damage to my 2013 ring. I’ve been wanting to get it fixed for so long now
Hi Matt! We can definitely fix that up for you. Can you tell us a little bit more about how it’s damaged?
I have my Grandfather’s Mason ring. I’ve recently been raised a Master Mason myself. Can you recolor or enhance the details of the ring, and reduce it a half size?
Hi David, we can definitely size and re-enamel the ring! We’ve sent you an email for more details.
What does it take to resize a college ring from 1981? Also, my signature inside the band starts approximately at the center of the stone and ends in the middle of the back of the ring. Will this affect the resize up process? Will I lose the signature?
Hi Tom, we’ve emailed you!
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