Over time, despite every precaution, the jewelry you wear frequently may show signs of wear and tear. As a result, it is not uncommon for jewelry to need repairs.
The question is, how much will it cost?
You could expect to pay $12 to replace a standard gold 5mm ring clasp, while a platinum clasp can cost $50. To change a diamond’s shape, you have to pay between $35 and $150. It depends on the carat weight of the stone.
The amount you pay will vary significantly, depending on the time and skill involved, the material that’s been used, and the jewelry shop you go to.
This article will discuss how much it costs to repair different jewelry and a reliable option to get the service.
What are the costs involved in a jewelry repair job?
Jewelers charge per hour for labor. Then there is the cost of the material, or particular parts may have to be ordered. However, the most important thing is the jeweler’s skill and expertise.
When you walk into a jeweler’s shop to get the clasp on your bracelet replaced, you may feel a bit apprehensive as you watch him tap numbers into his calculator and jot down figures. You wonder how they calculate their charges after inspecting your jewelry closely.
A good jeweler will scrutinize your jewelry to make sure there are no loose clasps or prongs that have got eroded and thin.
There may be links that are worn out with broken or worn prongs. You wouldn’t want to lose your bracelet because the clasp is loose or lose a stone if a prong is broken.
While it does take time, and you may feel you are spending more money than you expected, each type of repair is vastly different and needs attention.
How much does it cost to replace a stone in a ring?
Taking the ring to a jeweler may cost you $50 – $150 depending on the size of the stone, but you can be sure you won’t lose it again.
They will repair the prongs, put the stone in place and tighten the prongs to ensure the stone is secure. Finally, the ring will be cleaned and polished before handing it back to you.
You look down at your hand, and your heart skips a beat! The stone has fallen out of your ring. Anyone would be upset at losing a family heirloom or a ring that has sentimental value.
One wrong move while tinkering with your ring, and you might end up with a broken stone. So if you’re considering replacing your gemstone yourself, think again! You may just be wasting money in the long run.
Getting a stone replaced is not as simple as it sounds. First, the jeweler would need to know what stone it was, the size, the cut, and the setting. The stone also has to be matched correctly.
If the prongs have become weak, they will need to be carefully repaired before it is safe to put in the stone. You will also need to match the stone exactly, or it won’t fit in the prongs.
In a nutshell, only a professional jeweler should handle an expensive responsibility like replacing a stone in a ring. Furthermore, the process of removing the old stone and inserting the new one can be tricky, which means it requires someone with experience to do so.
Many things could go wrong during this process, including cutting or crushing other stones on your ring.
Let’s say there was already some damage to the ring before you tried replacing the gemstone yourself? If something goes wrong during this procedure, it will just make matters worse!
How much does it cost to fix a cracked ring?
The cost of a ring repair is based on the type and severity of the damage. It can be anywhere from $35 to $200, depending on the requirements.
There’s nothing worse than finding a crack in your favorite ring. After you shake off the gloom, you search for a do-it-yourself guide so you can repair your ring as soon as possible.
Cracks that appear in various places on a ring or band can be fixed. A simple break can be filled and soldered; however, part of the band may need to be replaced if there’s a wide crack. Again, you will need to get materials and tools for repairs.
While you can buy a jewelry soldering set for $18 – $ 24, which is less than the cost of paying a jeweler, it is not always possible to repair a cracked ring yourself.
It is also not merely a matter of filling in the crack and soldering it. You will need to file away the extra metal, clean it, and finally polish it. A jeweler will have all the materials and skills required to give your ring a new life.
How much does resizing a ring cost?
Making a ring smaller is simple and could cost you $20 to $60, depending on the metal. However, making a ring larger will always be more expensive.
In addition, if the design is intricate or the band is thick, it will cost more. Therefore, it would be far better to rely on the expertise of a good jeweler.
Sometimes you need to get your ring resized. Maybe you’ve lost weight or gained it, or the ring was a gift; it doesn’t fit your finger.
Unfortunately, it isn’t easy to know what resizing will cost because there are many factors involved.
Resizing a ring needs to be expertly done. If you need it made smaller, part of the band must be removed for soldering and polishing. Adding more metal to make it a size larger should be done carefully, so the new metal meshes smoothly with the old.
The type of metal must be the same to prevent structural damage, and the ring must be polished for that beautiful sparkle. If the ring has gemstones, they will have to be removed and carefully reset.
Resizing your ring without hiring a professional can cause irreparable damage to the ring, leading to structural weakness and even breakage.
Hiring a professional jeweler will not only help you avoid these problems, but they can also provide you with expert advice on what would look best for your style.
How much does repairing a necklace cost?
If your broken necklace has one link missing, the jeweler will create a new link and solder two links together for $20-$40, depending on the metal. So for two to three missing links and broken stones, expect to pay anywhere from $50-230.
You can either take the necklace back to the store where you bought it or find a local jeweler who will repair it for you.
However, if you plan to repair the broken chain independently, you will need pliers, a steady hand, and patience.
Some necklaces can be pretty straightforward to repair. Others may be more intricate, or the type of metal may be very hard or soft, making it tricky. Even worse, it could have pearls or gemstones in it.
Repairing a necklace has many variables.
For instance, it may be simply repairing a clasp, which you could fix yourself. Jewelry kits are readily available, and they don’t cost very much. So if the lobster clasp or the jump ring needs to be fixed, you can easily do it.
On the other hand, a necklace with broken links can be quite challenging to repair.
Furthermore, unlike a ring with a cracked band or a stone that has fallen out, a necklace is far more complex as it has so many design elements.
If your chain needs to be restrung or soldered, it may be the better option to go to a good jeweler.
How to fix your own jewelry
If your necklace breaks off at the clasp, get a new clip. You only need a pair of snipe nose pliers. Open the jump ring, remove the old clasp, and put a new one.
It’s a sad day when you take off your chain necklace and realize it has broken. You might be tempted to throw out the whole thing, but don’t!
Here is an easy fix for broken chains you can do yourself:
1. If the chain is only missing one link, cut the rest of the chain apart so it is even on both sides using a small plier.
2. Next, crimp or flatten out a jump ring to connect the links together. Make sure your jump ring is compatible with the link’s size.
3. Lastly, open one side of a jump ring with a flat nose plier. Slip it through the two loops at either end of your broken chain, then tighten it close again using the plier.
That’s it!
Once you know how to do simple repairs, you will have fun wearing and experimenting with your old jewelry.
You can learn how to replace a broken clasp, fix a ring that’s got bent, and clean your jewelry to make it gleam.
Where to repair jewelry
Jewelers Connect offers a variety of different repair options depending on what type of item needs fixing.
All you have to do is create a free account and publish your request with every detail regarding your repair and deadline. Up to 5 experts will bid on your project, but you choose one that suits your budget and skillset.
If you’re like most people, then when you think of a jeweler, you instantly groan at the idea of spending hours in that crowded store waiting for someone to be available.
Why not get your jewelry repaired online?
Conclusion
Jewelry retailers say most customers don’t have an accurate notion of the costs associated with replacing a stone because they haven’t shopped around for such services and, as a result, often end up paying too much.
Here’s what you can expect to pay for jewelry repairs: the minimum is $10-$50, the average is $50-$100, and the maximum is $200+.
For a more accurate estimate of what your jewelry will cost to repair, publish your request on Jewelers Connect.