Finding the Right Jeweler for Your Repair Needs
People’s bodies change and jewelry breaks… it is just that simple. However, just because your weight may have changed over the course of you marriage and you can no longer slide your wedding band or engagement ring on and off as easily as the days you received them, in no way means you have to forget about ever wearing them again. The same holds true for broken necklaces and bracelets, as well as small details like missing or broken tines. Finding a good jeweler to repair or modify your jewelry can be a frightening thought. After all, who wants to entrust such a special heirloom to to a complete stranger? Still, with a bit of luck and a common sense approach, discovering a respectable jewelry repair expert in your area shouldn’t be that big of a hassle. Here are a few things you may want to consider in your hunt for finding the right individual.
The best thing you could do is to keep the repair local. Sending the ring off to be repaired is always an option, but finding a local jeweler capable of making the needed repairs or modifications is probably your best bet. Local recommendations can come from many sources: friends, family, co-workers and local resources like phone directories and the Better Business Bureau are all great avenues to start searching down. Be sure to ask any local jeweler you may be considering if they do “in-house bench work”. This is to be sure that they themselves will be doing the repairs.
Most jewelers are the tinkering types, curious about the things put before them. If the jeweler you’re considering simply looks at the piece with the naked eye and gives you a price quote, perhaps you should consider another. Most are professionals who pride themselves on their work and attention to detail. As such, you should expect many questions regarding your piece’s age, past work done and perhaps even by whom the work was done. Moreover, like all good business persons, be prepared for the jeweler to make mention of any other work that may need doing, and keep in mind that jewelers have a keen eye for spotting potential future problems. Another point to make mention of here is, in the event a jeweler recommends against doing some particular form of work, say turning a size 6 ring into a size 15, it may be best to pay attention. Sometimes jewelers will make mention of creating a whole new setting for a diamond engagement ring, and in many cases, such things are for the best!
Also, try to be sure that you know not only what you would like the final outcome of the repair to look like, but the price range you are looking to spend within. If after having been to only one repair boutique you have received an estimate from you are ready to pay the quoted price, fine. Yet like so many other services in this world, it is never a bad idea to get a second opinion.
Tags: how to find, jewelers, jewelry advice, jewelry repair