The Definitive Guide to Bracelet Hinge Repair

Hinged bracelets and bangles are fun to wear…until something happens to the hinge! This simple yet complex mechanism that opens and closes your item isn’t easy to repair. Here’s what you need to know in order to get a broken bracelet hinge fixed.

What’s a Bracelet Hinge?

The hinge is the mechanism that allows you to open and close your item. Certain bracelets, such as Cartier bangles, have a simple hinge that opens up easily, relying on a clasp to close the bangle. Other bangles rely on a spring hinge that has tension, allowing the bracelet to close by “springing” right back. 

Assessing the Damage

Before the bracelet repair, the jeweler closely examines it to determine what’s wrong with the piece. Is the hinge loose and causing the bracelet to swing wide open? Is it too tight? Are there strange stick-like components coming out of the hinge? Or is the hinge completely missing?

These questions help the jeweler to figure out his next best course of action. Depending on the status of the item, the repair can range from a few deft twists with a pair of pliers, or a complete replacement of the hinge parts. 

Repairing Different Types of Broken Bracelet Hinges

Loose hinge: If your bracelet is constantly swinging open and not retaining any tension, the jeweler will examine it to see if the existing hinge can be repaired. An intact yet loose hinge can usually be repaired by lightly tapping on the rivet pin, a small component that holds the hinge together. Other hinges, such as spring hinges, may be loose due to losing tension over time from constant use. The jeweler can either repair the hinge by replacing the spring, or the entire hinge. 

Tight hinge: A tight hinge is usually due to poor assembly. The bracelet was either put together incorrectly, or badly repaired. In order to fix a tight hinge, the jeweler examines the existing hinge and cleans up any work that may have caused it to stop opening and closing, such as extra solder.

Moving & missing components: Occasionally parts come out or disappear from the hinge. The jeweler can move them back into place with a pair of pliers or replace them as needed.

Missing hinge: If most of the hinge is gone, the jeweler inspects the item to see if the knuckles are still in place. These “knuckles” make up the basis of the hinge, and without these two simple structures that slot into place with each other, the hinge cannot be rebuilt. To assemble a new hinge, the jeweler threads a wire through to hold the knuckles together and inserts a spring if the item needs tension. 

Cost and Turnaround Time

Depending on the extent of the hinge repair, the price can range from $40 and upwards. Another factor that affects cost is the metal type; gold jewelry is more expensive to repair due to the material. Turnaround time ranges from same-day to 1 week, if the jeweler needs to source and rebuild an entire hinge. 

Now you know how to get started on a bracelet hinge repair! If you have something you want to fix, comment below and we’ll help you out.