A Guide to Stainless Steel Jewelry Repair Services
Written by Annabelle
June 25, 2020
Stainless steel is a popular choice for a variety of jewelry, such as bracelets, rings, necklaces, and earrings. However, this durable metal is quite tough, and most jewelers don't have the equipment to deal with it. So how do you go about finding a jewelry stainless steel repair service? Here's what you need to know.
Stainless Steel Jewelry
Stainless steel is a popular jewelry metal for several reasons. It's extremely strong, durable, and affordable. In addition, it has a very nice heft, or weight, and this makes it appealing to people who like heavy jewelry without the price of solid gold or platinum.
However, this metal is extremely hard and cannot be cut or worked with by regular jeweler's tools. It requires extremely high heat to convert it into a malleable state, so most jewelers will not work on stainless steel. Fortunately, there are some places that provide jewelry stainless steel repair services.
Like Quick Jewelry Repairs, your best bet is to find a location that advertises itself as a stainless steel ring sizing service. If they can work with rings, they can work with any other item made from that material. You can also look for jewelers who can work with class rings; as most class rings are made out of stainless steel, they will also have the same capability to work with stainless steel jewelry.
Common Stainless Steel Repair Services
Stainless steel jewelry comes in a variety of forms thanks to its affordability in manufacturing. Based on common designs, here are some of the top stainless steel repairs we perform on a daily basis.
- Ring Sizing: The most common repair we get for stainless steel is ring sizing. After all, stainless steel rings are the best choice for active people, especially men who prefer a more durable material for their hands. Most class rings are made from stainless steel as well! To size, the jeweler simply cuts the back of the ring open and adjusts the ring up or down, adding or removing additional stainless steel. Then the back is closed and soldered shut, with the seam of work polished to remove signs of repair.
A stainless steel ring before and after sizing.
- Enameling: This jewelry paint technique is used to apply detailing to the shoulders of class rings. The jeweler polishes the item, applies the enamel, and sets the enamel to cure in a high-temperature kiln. Once the enamel is hard, the process is finished!
- Chain Shortening: Stainless steel chains are equally hard to cut into and size as other stainless steel items. In order to shorten them, the jeweler uses stainless-steel equipment to cut open the links and solder the chain back at the correct length. This process is typically used for extremely thick Cuban or curb chains, as average jewelers will not be able to saw open the thick links.
- Soldering: Soldering stainless steel jewelry is possible with the right equipment. For example stainless steel earring posts can snap off the back of the earring design; fortunately, a quick laser soldering from a torch can repair the item and reattach the post. As a final touch the jeweler buffs around the point of solder to remove excess residue.
- Polishing: While it's significantly less prone to scratches and dents than other materials, stainless steel can get scuffed over time, especially if worn on the hand. Using the correct machinery, the jeweler can buff off the damage to the surface and restore the item to a shiny or matte polish.
- Engraving: Engraving on stainless steel isn't as simple as engraving on silver or gold! The jeweler programs an engraving laser to penetrate the tough surface of the metal, carving into the surface to create the inscription or image.
- Gold Plating: A lot of stainless steel jewelry is gold plated, because the weight of the metal combined with the color gives off a similar feel to solid gold. Over time, this fades, requiring the jeweler to replate it. First, the item is polished and all original plating is removed in order to make sure that the surface is smooth. Then the item is dipped in either palladium or nickel, because stainless steel does not take to gold plating without preliminary chemical treatment. Finally, it's gold plated to the desired thickness and color.
Now you're up to date on what you need in a jewelry stainless steel repair service! If you have something made out of stainless steel that you want to repair, comment below and we'll help you out.
44 Comments on “A Guide to Stainless Steel Jewelry Repair Services”
Hi I bought my husband a stainless steel bracelet for Christmas. The issue is the fastening is a magnets and it keeps coming off. Do you this anything could be fitted to make it more secure?
Hi there, please send us a picture to our email [email protected] for further assistance!
I need a chain shortening on a stainless steel bracelet. Can you help me find anything in my area?
Hi There, You can definitely use our services to shorten your bracelet. Here’s a link and how you can place an order with us. https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/shorten-chain/
I need a ss bracelet fixed
Hi there, we’ll reach out to you shortly with further details! 🙂
Ok thanks
My mom passed and left me a stainless steel thick men’s chain that she had links taken out of and made into a bracelet as well so it bracelet and a necklace anyway my brother wants to take it and have the links put back into it so it’s just a necklace but I was just wondering around what that the cost on average
Hi Nichole, we’ll reach out to you with further details!
Hello I have a stainless steel ring my bf gave me is an engagement ring but he is really poor and out the country. I love him so much and I would like to fix the ring because for some reason the diamond on the ring keeps falling off FYI it’s not a real diamond Ofcourse. But can you guys put it and make sure it won’t come off?
Hi Diana, we’ll reach out via email with further details!
hi my boyfriend has a chain that he really likes that broke. the chain is unlinked to the next chain. how do i fix it or is there someone near the salinas CA area
that can fix it?
Hi Michelle, we’ll reach out via email to discuss our chain soldering service!
I have a pair of stainless steel earrings. The post popped off of one and I need it soldered back on.
Hi Becky, we’ll reach out via email with further details!
Hi. I’ve been given a stainless steel patterned bangle that’s very big and falls off me so unable to wear it at all. Is it possible to resize it?
Hi Johanna, we’ll reach out via email to request some photos of the piece!
I have a stainless steel ring that got lost, run over and found again and it’s pretty scratched up. How much would it cost to buff it back out? Or would it be worth it to try to get another one instead?
Hi Willow, we’ll reach out to request photos via email! 🙂
I have a stainless steel ring and the inner edges sharp. I would like the inside edges smoothed out so the ring feels more comfortable on my finger. Is that possible to have done? I really like this ring and I don’t want to return it to the seller.
Thanks
We’ll follow up via email to request photos!
do u buy stainless steel jewelry
Thank you for reaching out! 🙂
Unfortunately, no, we do not purchase jewelry from the public at Quick Jewelry Repairs. Please do reach out if you have an item needing service, though!
I have a steel ring to size to a 9”, can you please 🙏 help me, thank you 😊,
This should be no problem at all! I’ve followed up via email for the specifics of your ring, which will affect our service quote 🙂
I have a stainless steel bracelet that needs the clasp ( spring loaded) tightened
I need a clasp on bracket n necklace
This will be no problem at all – I’ve followed up via email with next steps 🙂
Need to get a stone placed in a ring. Is that something you can do?
One hundred percent!! I’ve followed up with next steps via email 😉
#1 – Good morning. I was informed by the company that made my ring that cannot repair my ring because that it is to old and made from jewelers stainless steel. All I need is the stone replace, and touch up any rough spots that maybe present. I’m going to include the two responses that they sent to me.
We apologize for the delay in getting back to you. Regarding your ring it is too old for us to repair. We would need to make a new ring. We do offer a trade in policy if you are interested. We would give you $100 credit for the ring you shipped back, original cost $199. You can use the $100 credit toward the purchase of any new ring.
Please let us know how you would like to move forward.
Thank you.
#2 – Sorry, not that the ring is too old. It is because it is the Jewellers Stainless Steel metal which is great because it is strong but we would not be able to reset stone. Therefore, it cannot be repaired.
I am looking for someone to replace the stone in the ring. I can deal with any rough spots.
Thanks.
I’m sorry to hear that your ring’s manufacturer won’t be able to refinish & replace your stone! We generally have no issues with these services in stainless steel – which is uncommon among jewelers, steel can be tricky. I’ve followed up directly via email for next steps 😉
Need a stainless steal bracelet shortened
We shorten steel chains all the time! I’ve followed up with next steps via email 😉
Hi i got a stainless ring that i would like to make bigger
Hi, Creighton! 🙂 We’d be more than happy to help you size up your ring. We reached out via email with the next steps
My husband and I were recently getting his ring resized, however when we bought it the product description was read wrong. When the jeweler we took it to cut into it they said it was most likely stainless steel and they were not able to finish the resizing. Now there is a huge cut in it. Are you able to repair it?
Hi Amanda, thank you so much for your comment! We’d love to take a look. We reached out via email to help you out 🙂
Hallo, an meinem Edelstahl-Lederband ist die Öse für den Verschluss abgebrochen, kann man diese wieder an das Ende des Bandes anlöten und ist es dann wieder so stabil wie vorher?
Hallo Elke, vielen Dank für deinen Kommentar! Wir würden uns dein Schmuckstück gerne genauer ansehen. Ich habe dir eine E-Mail geschickt, um dir weiterzuhelfen 🙂
Hi I had to have a stainless steel ring cut off my finger after an injury which resulted in swelling.
The ring has huge sentimental value and I would love for it to be repaired, is this possible please 🙂
Hi Rebecca, thank you so much for commenting on our post! We reached out via email to help you with your query further. 🙂
Hi, I have a stainless steel bracelet that the clasp came off the bracelet. Is there someone in the state of Maryland that can fix it?
Hi Tishelle!
We’ve reached out to you via email to help with your bracelet repair request. Please keep an eye out for a message from us, and feel free to reply with any photos or questions you may have. We’re excited to assist you!