Jewelry Repair: Six Common Jewelry Problems and How They Can Be Fixed

Even the most skillfully-crafted jewelry pieces experience wear with time. Chances are strong that your favorite, cherished piece will eventually need mending or refurbishing. Fortunately, today's jewelry repair techniques combine the best of old-world craftsmanship and modern technology. They ensure that your favorite piece will be with you for a lifetime.

Here are six of the most common jewelry repair problems you may experience (you may even find yourself up against more than one of them):

1) Broken or faulty clasps: The clasp is usually the first component to go when it comes to bracelets and necklaces. This is because the clasp (the piece that joins each end together) is subject to wear, due to its moving parts. It's also the part that bears the most weight and the brunt of tugging and pulling.

Clasps come in several different types. Sometimes the fix is as simple as cutting off the old clasp and applying a brand new one. This can often be done at home.

Sometimes, though, the problem is a bit more complicated. A clasp that breaks or fails more than once usually indicates a deeper structural problem. Soldering, replacement of other components or a whole new type of clasp may be needed. In a case like this, you should have your jewelry repair performed by a professional.

2) Broken links: Chains in necklaces and bracelets are subject to regular force that may weaken and break individual links. Links are relatively simple and easy to fix or replace. However, this is something that should be done by a professional.

3) Worn-down metal. This is common with rings, especially engagement rings and wedding bands. This is because they're worn constantly, for years. Friction between skin and metal causes the metal to wear down. This weakens the metal. Eventually, this weakened spot can break.

Worn spots can be fixed by having metal added to them. Building up worn spots prevents further damage from occurring. This type of jewelry repair must be done by professional goldsmith.

4) Worn or broken prongs in gem settings. Gemstones are usually held in place by "prongs" or "claws." These prongs wear down with time, sometimes even breaking off. Your stone is subject to falling out of its setting when this happens, especially if more than one prong is affected.

Like worn down ring bands, new metal must be added to the prongs to build them back up. A professional must undertake this kind of job.

5) Slipped prongs. Sometimes prongs can simply slip out of place. This can happen when a piece takes some kind of a physical blow. Often it's just a matter of bending the prong back into the correct position. A jewelry repair professional can do this for you. He will also be able to tell if any other damage has occurred.

6) Lost stones. Few things are as disheartening as losing a stone in a favorite piece of jewelry. Fortunately, this is an easy jewelry repair for a professional. The downside is that it can be expensive to replace a lost stone, depending on its type. However, most jewelry owners are happy to be able to preserve a cherished piece by simply replacing the gem.

Lost stones often result from a structural problem, like a worn or broken prong. Your jewelry repair professional will examine your piece carefully. He will inform you if there's a problem with a setting that needs to be addressed.

Many jewelry stores have jewelry repair professionals that work on site. Even a discount jewelry store may be able to fix your piece on site.

Other retailers don't have jewelry repair person on site, but can usually ship pieces out for fixing. However, you'll pay more for this service. Therefore it's best to find a store with a repairman on site.

An experienced jewelry designer, Liz writes independently for A&J Jewelers from Snellville, GA. She focuses on discount jewelry stores, and jewelry repair.

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Essential Facts About Sterling Silver Clasps

Jewelry is a must have accessory in most of the peoples life. No one really cares about the things make it look like a Jewelry. When we give a closer look we can find out that jewelry isn't all about the precious stones and shiny metals. It's also about the clasps that keep these elements together. There are many sterling silver clasps available in the market according to our need.

While choosing clasps you must be aware of how it's going to blend with the entire design of the clasp. This is why sterling silver clasps are widely preferred as its shiny nature enhances the appearance of the jewelry. You can find silver sterling in almost all the accessories available in the market, whether it's a bangle or a necklace. You can find a lot of silver clasps in the market according to the use. Let's go through some of them.

The most commonly use clasp is the spring ring clasps. It's also one of the oldest clasps in business. It's mainly used for the production of necklace. The mechanism involves a lever counter balanced with the help of a spring. There is an inner ring to which the elements of the necklace are attached. The lever is used to open and close the inner ring. Pulling of the lever opens the ring and leaving it will result in the closing. Elements can be attached to the clasp by pulling the lever.

Sterling silver toggle clasp is one of the modern clasps available in the market. It's available in the shape of a bar. The bars shaped clasps that are put in to the loops made out of silver sterling, will work as a fastener. These are mainly used to manufacture necklace and bracelet. Toggle clasps are preferred in expensive jewelries as it is one of the finest looking clasps available in the market.

Lobster claw is another type of clasp used for making heavy jewelry. The heavy jewelry consists of heavy elements which are to be secured properly. Lobster claws are large clasps designed especially for securing the heavy elements in the jewelry. The large lever also gives better control to the manufacturer.

Magnetic claws burst in to the scene in recent times. They use the help of magnetic field to hold the elements together. They are much easier to use, as it doesn't involve any lever. A debate is still going on about the use of magnetic clasps as it had good and bad effect on the human body. The major disadvantage of this clasp is that it can't be used for heavy jewelry. The magnetic field generated by the magnet is not strong enough to bear the pressure of the heavy elements used in the manufacture of heavy jewelry. They are better suited for small and medium sized jewelry.

There are so many types of clasps available for you to choose from. Ultimately the manufacture should know how their final product going to look to choose the right clasps for his jewelry.

Let's Recap What We've Learned in this Article:

1) The most commonly use clasp is the spring ring clasps. It's also one of the oldest clasps in business. It's mainly used for the production of necklace. Customize your own jewelry with Sterling Silver Clasps!

2) Lobster claw is another type of clasp used for making heavy jewelry. The heavy jewelry consists of heavy elements which are to be secured properly. Make your own jewelry with Silver Clasps!

Sterling Silver Clasps are essential to any collection. Enjoy it!

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5 Popular Jewelry Clasps

Different types of jewelry clasps are used for different purposes. If you plan to design jewelry, it pays to know which is best for each application. A few things will mark you as an amateur faster than mismatching your clasp with your new creation.

Materials Matter

You can get jewelry clasps from fine metals, base metals, stone, and other non-metal materials. Each has its place in your jewelry making supplies. For example, a gemstone toggle clasp is perfect with a funky large bracelet while a silver "S" clasp decorated with a cabochon is more suitable for a southwestern inspired piece. With all the choices you have, your clasp should fit seamlessly with what you have made.

Shape and Style

There are a number of common styles that you see everywhere; lobster claws, toggles, barrels, hook and eyes, and classic spring rings. The size and style of each of these clasps help determine where they are best used.

Lobster Clasps

These clasps are usually larger than the traditional spring ring, which means they are particularly good for people with larger fingers or mobility issues. They look great on larger pieces of jewelry, and if coordinated with the metal used on in the necklace or bracelet, they blend in well with even traditional fine jewelry. They are very secure

Toggle Clasps

A toggle clasp has two parts; a bar and a circular end. The bar slides through the open center of the circular end and is turned so that it extends beyond the opening, sealing the link. These are very stylish and come in a variety of shapes, designs, and sizes. They can even be part of the design of a piece of jewelry. They are less secure than other types and therefore not suitable for expensive items.

Box Clasps - With or Without Safety Guards

A box clasp involves a small spring that slides into a larger box and clicks into place. Not as secure as a spring ring or lobster claw, it can be made more resistant to failure with the addition of a safety guard. Frequently seen as part of a strand of pearls, the safety guard adds an additional level of protection against accidental separation.

Decorative Clasps

These jewelry clasps are actually designed to appear as part of the larger design or as a charm on an existing piece of jewelry. They may work in a fashion similar to that of a carabineer.

Magnetic Clasps

A real boon to those with arthritis in their fingers, magnetic clasps allow people to secure a piece of jewelry without having to fuss with complicated clasps. By placing the two ends in close proximity, the magnets draw the ends together. Unfortunately, a sharp tug on the bracelet or necklace can separate the ends, potentially leading to loss.

Jewelry can be customized in so many ways. Whether you are searching for kits, supplies or assistance in creating the perfect custom jewelry design piece, you can find everything you need at design jewelry.

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