You’ve had a piece of jewelry for the longest time- it’s not anything high quality, but you’ve literally loved it to death. Should you get it repaired? Even if it’s just costume jewelry, it has sentimental value. Here’s what we think about costume jewelry repair.
What is Costume Jewelry?
Costume jewelry can be loosely defined as any type of jewelry that’s relatively low-grade in terms of metal content and gemstones. Fine jewelry is made from gold, white gold/rose gold, platinum, and occasionally sterling silver. Costume jewelry is usually made from inexpensive metals, including silver, copper, brass, and pewter. These metals may be plated with gold to give it a “fine jewelry” look.
Gemstones set in fine jewelry tend to be either expensive, natural stones such as diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. Costume jewelry contains cubic zirconia, plastic, glass, and even cheaper, semi-precious stones such as amethyst or rose quartz.
Repairing Costume Jewelry
Repairing costume jewelry can be quite difficult. Most jewelry repairs require soldering, or the process of mending two broken pieces together by heating up a metal alloy and using it as a glue. The following factors affect the repair:
- Metal Type: Since the metal composition of costume jewelry varies so wildly, it can be very difficult for the jeweler to figure out how to deal with the item. Metals have different heat points, and it’s frighteningly common for a piece of costume jewelry to melt when exposed to heat, especially with vintage pieces of unknown metal. The jeweler will usually “test” the item by touching a low-level heat source to one area of the piece. If it reacts badly, the jeweler will not consider soldering as a repair option.
- Metal Color: In addition to possible damage from heat, costume jewelry can be discolored during the repair process. This is especially common with items that are plated, since the layer over the base metal may be worn off while the item is being repaired.
- Stones: Stones such as cubic zirconia or semi-precious natural gems like amethyst are fairly resilient and will withstand the repair process, even during soldering. However, plastic stones and glass stones can break or burn during repair. To prevent this, the jeweler often removes gems around the damaged area before soldering.
The Repairs:
While each case differs depending on the damage and the item, here’s a brief look at a few of the most common types of costume jewelry repairs we receive:
- Soldering: Whether it’s a broken chain, a loose post, or a wrecked pendant, inevitably we’ll get a piece of costume jewelry in for soldering. Most of the time, this repair is fairly simple, but if the item is plated, or contains a lot of stones and/or enamel, the jeweler will have to proceed more carefully.
- Gold plating: Re-plating items is an incredibly popular service, since most costume jewelry is plated and will show discoloration after years of loving wear. This repair can be quite expensive depending on the thickness of the gold and the type of gold requested by the customer.
- Resizing: As with all rings, costume jewelry rings need to be resized once in a while. The process of sizing these rings may vary depending on the metal, and plated items will always need re-plating after the sizing process.
- Stone setting: Stones in costume jewelry are often set with glue, and they can easily fall out after a long period of time. Most jewelers will not be able to source plastic or glass gems as a replacement, but think on the bright side! The missing gems can be replaced with real jewels or lab-created stones.
The Cost- Is It Worth It?
The biggest question we get from our customers is; “Is it worth repairing my jewelry if it’s costume?” It’s a good question to ask- most of the time, we’ll say yes since many of these pieces have sentimental value to a customer.
When evaluating a costume jewelry repair, we usually go by the “rule of longevity.” Items such as necklaces and earrings do not experience a lot of daily wear, so getting them repaired with a quick soldering or re-plating is justifiable because the repair will last for a very long time. However, rings and bracelets are always on the hands and wrists, and this makes them more prone to damage. When dealing with these pieces, we offer our customers a second option; jewelry replication.
Jewelry replication is the process of taking an existing piece of jewelry and making a replica with high-quality materials. This upgrades the design from costume jewelry to fine jewelry, allowing you to keep the look of the original piece without all the hassle. For instance, a gold-plated ring can be remade in 14k yellow gold, which eliminates the need to get the ring re-plated every year. The process is costly, but it’s a great long-term investment since fine jewelry is comparatively more durable than costume jewelry.
The next time you have a piece of costume jewelry that needs fixing up, keep these facts in mind! Bling always comes with a cost, so spend your money wisely.
Community Discussion
Questions, experiences, and expert answers from the QJR community.
I am enquiring about repairing a sentimental costume ring with zirconia.
Unfortunately, a few weeks ago, another jewelry shop damaged the ring with acid and then buffered it. Exposing the unknown metal base and possibly damaging it. They silver plated the ring for me. However, it is still not shiny, and you can see the dull base metal.
Would you be able to repair my costume ring and bring it back to shiny silver? I’m not sure if Rhodium plating would be better. However, I have read that the base metal needs proper preparation and be compatible. I do not know the base metal. I’m not sure if it needs to be stripped back down to the base metal again and then nickel plated before rhodium plating can be done. Also, will it be able to be fixed properly, and how long does the plating last? Or will redoing silver plating work? Not sure why their silver plating did not work properly.
Or do you know who could help with the repair? Thank you for your help.
Hi Candice! Surface preparation and the underlying metal both affect how replating looks and lasts. Rhodium is not automatically a solution, and we cannot confirm that an acid-damaged surface can be restored from the description. Please email clear top and side photos and the details of the prior work to [email protected] so we can assess the options and pricing without promising a particular lifespan. You can see the relevant service here: https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/custom-order/.
I want to convert earrings made for pearled ears into clips. Who can do it?
Hi Angela! Some pierced earrings can be converted to clip-ons, depending on the metal, weight, and construction. Please email clear front and back photos to [email protected] so we can assess whether compatible clip findings can be fitted and confirm pricing. You can see the relevant service here: https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/custom-order/.
I have a pair of Joseff earrings clip on and on one the clip on is floppy as though the it needs a new spring. Do you do this?
Hi Kim, thank you so much for commenting! I’d love to assist, I sent an email so we can work on your earring 🙂
Have a Trifari bracelet missing 6 fuschia stones. Help?
Hi Sally, Happy to help! We’ve reached out via email with further details.
I have a considerable amount of costume jewelry that was not cheap to purchase and has a popular name behind it. On one pair of earrings I got as a gift, the post part of the earring broke while taking it off the card. Just last night, I took a pair or earrings off and the french hook broke off the earring… SAME brand of earrings. How can I go about getting them fixed?
Thank you.
Hi Melody! Both are repairs we can do — broken posts can be replaced and French hooks can be resoldered or swapped. You can start here: https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/post-replacement/ for the post, and for the French hook feel free to email photos to [email protected] so we can assess the best fix before you ship anything in.
I have a vintage necklace that belonged to my Mom. It is missing some cloudy white stones (opal, maybe). It has a lot of sentimental value and I would like to have it repaired. Can you help?
We can absolutely help! I’ve followed up directly via email 🙂
I have a ring I got at an estate sale that I really like even though it’s “costume” jewelry quality. I wanted to get it plated and maybe find a way to set the stones better so it’s more durable. The metal band is wearing already and a stone fell out. Can you help? None of the local jewelery repair shops I took it to will work on it because it’s “fake”.
Hi Mary, We’ll reach out via email to request some photos!
Have pair of clasp earrings missing few tiniest rhinestones and need better or tighten the clasps , who can repair them?
Hi There, we’ll reach out via email for further assistance.
Hello, I have a Kramer hinged bracelet. I broke the catch part, the male part that sticks into the female part. Can it be repaired? I have all of the parts. It will involve soldering.
Hi Bianca, we’ll reach out to you via email with further details. 🙂
Hello,
I have several vintage custom pieces that have missing stones. Do you replace stones?
Hi Kathleen, we’ll reach out via email with further details! 🙂
I live in Gardena C.A. and i have several rings that R missing stones and have costume necklaces that need repair as well
Hi Dawn, Please email a few pictures of your jewelry that needs repair to [email protected] for further assistance!
Can you repair Rhinestone jewelry. It is in good condition except for 1 large stone that I have but the backing has come off and it is missing a small stone. It was my mothers and I am just wondering if I want to have it repaired.
Hi Lana, we can take a look at it for you! We’ve reached out to you via email.
I have a few pieces that are missing stones, can you help?
Hi Karen, we’ve emailed you for more details!
Hi, I have a couple of sterling silver rings that are missing what I think is a very small cubic zirconia. Do you fix that sort of thing?
Hi there, we do service stone replacements. Please check out our service here https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/loose-stone/
I broke a necklace I love I would like to get it reasemlabled its costume, I live in the Orlando Fla area , where can I take it.
Hi Ruby,
We might be able to fix it for you! We’ve emailed you for more details.
I have broken earrings nobody could fix. Has to be soldered. 🙁
Would you mind if I send you a picture? I’d love to hear your opinion.
Hi Jessyca,
Sure, we’ve sent you an email 🙂
Hi I’ve two pieces of costume Jewelary of Whitch brok on me,only have them a year ,I wonder could they be fixed I love them it’s the little pin that joins it up Brocks on both of them
Hi Ann, we’ve emailed you!
OMG Fyi There are no A’s in Jewelry…. Can’t believe it , spell check is a wonderful tool!
Hi Annabelle,
No ,I’m not in need of any repair or service at this time. I received my Ann Klein watch/ bracelet today so I was looking for it to be sized, and that’s when I came across you guys. But thank you anyways… Dee
I have a fabulous brooch but the pin has broken off. Could you repair it?
Hi Nina, we’ve emailed you!
I have a broach that was my grandmother’s, several of the stones and the pin are missing.
If I send a photo could you give me a ball park figure to restore it please
Hi Jacqueline, we’ve sent you an email!
I have a few pieces I would like fixed. But I live in Florida. Do you know a good costume jewelry repair place down here or maybe in Kentucky. When up seeing family. Thank you for your time and understanding in this matter.
Alyce
Hi Alyce,
We’ve just sent you an email! 🙂
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