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Gold Chain Repair Cost: The Breakdown

Written by Annabelle
September 20, 2019

Whether it's a bracelet, an anklet, or a necklace, the feeling of a gold chain breaking is an awful one. How do you even go about getting that fixed? How much would it cost? We've broken down what repairs you'll need and the gold chain repair cost below.

Examining Your Gold Chain

First things first; to determine a gold chain repair cost, you'll need to figure out what type of gold it's made out of, and what type of chain you have. Most chains are either 10k (41.6% gold), 14k (58.3% gold), or 18k (75% gold). The karat content affects the type of solder used during the repair process.
If it's a gold-plated chain, keep in mind that you'll also have to pay for re-plating the piece after repair, as the process will remove the plating in one area.

Next, you'll need to see what type of chain you have. Basic link chains are called cable chains, and they're the easiest kind of chain to repair. Then you have ball chains and box chains, which are also fairly simple to fix. Thicker chains such as Cuban and Figaro chains require more labor and material, so those will take more time and money. Finally, patterned chains such as snake chains, herringbone chains, and rope chains pose the biggest problem for jewelers- while they can be repaired, there will always be a slightly noticeable location of repair.

gold-chain-repair-cost-chains

From top left and down to the second row: cable, ball, box, cuban, figaro, snake, herringbone, rope

6 Popular Gold Chain Repair Services

  1. Chain Soldering: The most basic yet vital repair, chain soldering fixes a break in your chain. How the jeweler performs this repair is dependent on the type of chain. If it's a chain with a visible link construction, such as a cable chain or ball chain, the jeweler will simply look at the broken link, reshape it, and solder it shut after threading it through the other end of the chain. If the chain is a snake chain or rope chain, the repair isn't as straightforward. The jeweler may need to trim off some broken portions, and the soldered section will be noticeably different in comparison to the rest of the chain. If possible, an alternative solution for rope chain repair is to take a small link of the same size, and thread it through the two broken ends to create a sturdier repair than the soldering.
    gold-chain-repair-soldering

    A necklace before and after chain soldering.

    The gold chain repair cost for soldering depends on two things: the type of chain, and the number of areas that require soldering. For instance, rope chain is at least $20 more than the average chain repair price, and you can expect a fee of  $5-10 per additional area of solder. The price also goes up for thick chains, because they are more difficult to work with and require more material to fix.

  2. Clasp Repair and Replacement: The clasp of your gold chain is a very important component! It keeps the chain secure around your wrist, ankle, or neck. Without a functioning clasp you wouldn't be able to wear your jewelry. To repair this piece, the jeweler needs to determine the type of clasp. The most common clasps are lobster clasps and spring ring clasps. Both of these clasps open with a small lever that moves a little portion to allow the other end of the chain through. Because of their fragile construction, it's common for these pieces to bend or break.
    If the damage can be fixed, the jeweler will either oil the hinge, bend it back into shape, or rebuild any broken parts. When the clasp is damaged beyond repair, the jeweler will simply replace it and assemble it to the rest of the chain with some snipping and soldering.

    gold-chain-repair-cost-clasp

    From left to right: spring ring, lobster, box clasp.

    Clasp repair prices are fairly standard; an existing clasp that can be fixed starts at $30-40. Clasp replacement, on the other hand, varies on material and type of clasp. A 14k lobster clasp, for instance, is cheaper than an 18k gold box clasp. The larger the clasp and more precious the metal, the more expensive the replacement is.

  3. Jump Ring Repair: The itty bitty rings that hold charms onto your chain and function as the end through which the clasp goes through are essential to keeping your chain in working condition. They suffer a lot of tugging, friction, and if left unsoldered can be disastrous for your jewelry. The jeweler will either zap an existing unsoldered jump ring shut with a touch of laser, or replace one entirely if the jump ring has been completely worn down. Make sure that the replacement is properly soldered as well! Any gap in a jump ring is an opportunity for it to be yanked open.
    gold-chain-repair-jump-ring

    This pendant had an unsoldered jump ring that could have been a problem…until we sealed it shut.

    If the jump ring only calls for soldering, the repair will start around $29. A replacement will be slightly pricier, and may go up if a special size is needed for a particular design.

  4. Shortening & Lengthening: Adjusting the length of your chain to fit your preferences isn't too difficult for the average jeweler. For shortening a chain, the jeweler merely cuts the chain down to the requested length, reattaches the end portion (either the jump ring or the clasp) and solders everything shut. The only complication is a thick chain; Cuban links, for instance, may need to be sawed open and then soldered shut.
    Increasing the length of a chain is more complex. If it's a generic cable chain, chances are your jeweler will be able to match that with whatever they have in stock and add a couple of inches. But for a large chain or a gold chain with an unconventional design, you may need to look into custom creation in order to make more links for your piece.

    gold-chain-repair-shorten

    This is part of a thick chain that was shortened by sawing through the links.

    To shorten a regular chain, the service is around $30-35. For thick chains in Cuban, curb, or Figaro style, the jeweler has to spend more time and labor to remove the links, so expect a corresponding increase of $20 or more in price. Lengthening a unique chain requires custom creation, so this service starts at a minimum of $290 for extending a gold chain with the same links.

  5. Plating: White gold chains and gold-plated chains need touch-up now and then in terms of color. White gold is by default a yellowish-gray color; its bright silvery look comes from rhodium plating. Over time, the plating disappears and the darker white gold metal color comes through. To restore any plated jewelry, the jeweler polishes the piece and places it into a gold plating tank. Electricity running through the tank plates the rhodium or gold onto the surface of your chain.
    gold-chain-repair-cost-plating

    This ball necklace was polished and plated in 14k yellow gold.

    Pricing gold plating for a chain necklace is tricky. It's dependent on how thick the plating should be, and the longer and wider the chain, the more gold it requires to plate. A regular chain in flash plating will be about $80, but a thick, 20″ or more Cuban chain may run upwards of $200 or more.

  6. Replacement: Sometimes the original chain is just really no good. In that case, the jeweler will just find an existing chain of the same dimensions and pattern and reassemble the necklace. If the necklace has beads or charms incorporated into the design, the jeweler needs to cut parts of the chain and attach it to those components in order to recreate the original look.
    The gold chain replacement price depends on the chain. The bigger and longer the chain, the more expensive it is because of the additional gold needed. Keep in mind that switching to a heavier chain will cost more money as a result.

With these chain repairs in mind, you're ready to get started on fixing your precious necklaces and bracelets! Remember that the gold chain repair cost depends on the design of your chain and what you need to fix. If you'd like to have something fixed, fill out the form or comment below and we'll get back to you!

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Beverly

Approx cost to replace a 14K clasp on a short necklace? Can you repair a sterling silver ring band that has broken?

Anthony Vernier

I need a clasp reattached to a 14k necklace for my daughter ,I have the clasp,

Tyla

Hi, I have a long 10k gold necklace and the chain broke so I was wonder how it would coast to get that fixed but I also want it shorter so I was wondering if the excess that was cut off from my necklace could be made into a bracelet and a anklet because it’s a very long chain. If I did that though clasps would have to be added to both the bracelet and anklet. About how much would all that cost?

michael

I just did this n sized a ring is 300 a fair wuote

Joy

How much is the cost to replace 10k into 14k gold ring?

Melissa

Need some direction fixing a gold Figaro Chain necklace since most stores are closed (This is the one that has 3 circular links followed by an oval link). One of the smaller circular links broke open. I looked at the ret of the chain, and it seems like the links aren’t able to be “opened” with pliers (I couldn’t spot a seam on a single loop)… yet the one that broke has definitely opened. Tried using pliers to close the circle, which worked, but it just broke again. Do I need to solder? Any tips?

Anthony

14k rope gold rope chain coming undone

Lori Slattery

can you take a link out of a 14k gold franco chain… it got bent?

Max

I need a 18k gold box chain to be fixed how much in au dollars would that cost?

John

I don’t exactly know how much karats my Cuban link chain has but I know it’s not plated. It’s about 16 inches and I want to extend it up to 20 inches. Approximately how much would that cost?

jahki atkins

a 14k necklace missing both clasp and the chain end

Catherine

Hi there, please email [email protected] for further assistance! 🙂

Edward

Hi, I have a LV silver chain bracelet that needs to be resize, so it fits my wrist. Can you help?

Catherine

Hi there, please email us a picture of your bracelet to [email protected] for further assistance! 🙂

Paige Wilson

I was wearing my 10KT Gold bracelet and it came apart from my cross and the rope chain. I was going to fix it myself but there’s no way I can. How much will it cost to attach the cross back to the rope?

Catherine

Hi there, that will cost around $20. Here’s a link to place an order for this service, let us know if you have any questions!
https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/broken-chain/

Heybaby12

I have a necklace with my name but the name part broke how much do you think it would be to get it fixed

Catherine

Hi there, chain soldering starts around $20 depending on the base metal and style of the chain. You can use this link to place an order!

https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/broken-chain/

jay

how much do you think it would be to fix a medium sized 24k gold pendant?

Catherine

Hi there, what type of repair does the pendant need?

Jonathan hicks

How much would it be to add 1 inch to a 10 k gold Franco chain

Catherine

Hi There, we cannot add links to the chain but we could add an inch of regular cable chain. Would that be something you’d be interested in?

Alexis

I’m wanting a 14K white gold plated franco chain in 16″, but the website has been out in this length. Would it be possible for you to shorten an 18″ to make it 16″?

Catherine

Hi Alexis, I believe we discussed this repair with you via our chat service but please let me know if you have additional questions! 🙂

Adi

I got a 18k gold chain and I want to reattach the cruxifix. How much will it cost me??

Catherine

Hi There, we have reached out via email with further details!

Rose

I have a 14 K gold chain with a Mogen David hanging. The chain, and MD, is lovely, thin and delicate looking. But I myself accidentally yanked it from my neck (dummy!!!) and of course it broke. All it needs is joining the little link. What’s the approximate price to fix it? Also, is your store in Manhattan, NYC? Thank you.

Catherine

Hi Rose, We’ll reach out via email with further details on our chain soldering service!

Sahana

I am from India. We have 22 carat gold chains.

Alex Ross

hows much would it cost to turn my 10k gold chain into 2 bracelets? and fix the clasp?

Ryan

Likely around $80 – in this, the year 2022 😛 – but details will depend on the specific chain and clasp. I’ve followed up directly via email!

Levy

I have a 10k thin gild chain that broke and i want to know how much it cost

Ryan

We should have no problem helping with this – I’ll need a bit more detail on the chain to provide a quote, so have followed up directly via email 😉

Sara

So I was wondering about how much it would cost for a clasp to be repaired on a 18 karat gold bracelet I can’t think of the exact kind of bracelet it is I know he said it was a pattern bracelet of some sort I just need to know an estimated amount that it would cost to be repaired. I grabbed his arm and broke his clasp on his bracelet And would like to repair it for him

Ron Diaz

Hi Sara, thank you so much for commenting on our post 🙂 We’d love to help you with your concern. I reached out via email with the next possible steps!