Your treasured heirloom ring or keepsake watch needs some TLC from an experienced jeweler. You know your local jewelry stores, but are you confident they are the best qualified to handle a delicate repair? Should you consider taking it to a larger retailer or trust a smaller business? How do you start looking for the right jeweler?
Whether you are looking for a standard repair such as resizing a ring or repairing a broken shank, or more bespoke maintenance such as restoring a family heirloom, it’s good practice to research some fundamental aspects before leaving your valuables with a jeweler.
Here are five things that you can check for peace of mind before leaving your valuables for repair.
1. Are they certified?
This is the first check with any jeweler. Are they certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or other national bodies? Looking for this accreditation is a definitive way to know how skilled your jeweler is. Many small and large jewelers will clearly state the certifications they or their staff hold – you can usually find this on their website. If your jeweler employs staff holding these certificates or sells certified GIA-grade diamonds, then you can be sure your jewelry is in good hands.
2. Can your jeweler accommodate your repair?
Whether it’s ring resizing or heirloom restoration, see if your jeweler lists the range of repair services they can provide. Many jewelers offer common repairs such as ring resizing and stretching. Still, you may want to expand your research when dealing with a valuable family heirloom restoration.
Diamond reshaping, chip removal, and re-cutting should only be managed by a qualified gemologist and master diamond cutter. If your heirloom requires this maintenance, check your jeweler’s qualifications first to see if they hold certification by the GIA.
At DND Jewelers, we offer a broad range of jewelry repairs, which include but are not limited to:
- Ring Sizing
- Ring Stretching
- Shank Replacement
- Soldering
- Laser Soldering
- Prong Re-Tipping
- Prong Rebuilding
- Head Replacement
- Rhodium Plating
- Polishing
- Restoration
- Stone Setting
- Pearl Restringing
- Sizing Beads
- Engraving
- Estate Repair & Restoration
- Adjustments
- Tightening & Cleaning
3. Will your jewelry be sent away for repair?
It’s worth knowing whether your jewelry will be repaired at the jeweler’s store or sent away to another location. Most jewelers will choose to have repairs managed at another location by specialists, which can also affect the turnaround time to receive your jewelry back again.
Our jewelry repair facility in Fredericksburg, Virginia, features state-of-the-art technology, making any repair quick and seamless.
4. How much will it cost, and how long will it take?
Cost may seem like an obvious factor to mention, but still, it’s an essential aspect to check before you commit. Transparency is key with any repair transaction, so you can always ask your jeweler whether there could be any additional costs that you haven’t already considered. Even with a more simple repair like resizing or stretching a ring, you’ll still want to ensure that you’ll be staying within your budget.
The jeweler should also specify a time frame for the work. If your jewelry is repaired at another location, it can take a little longer, but your jeweler will be able to inform you of how long the turnaround time should be.
The cost and time needed for the repair can vary based on the warranty, the complexity of the repair, location, and the cost of materials required.
If your jewelry has a warranty, the cost for repairs can be covered, but be sure to double-check that your piece is still under warranty before taking it into your jeweler. Jewelry warranties can last from a couple of years to a lifetime, so it’s essential to know how long yours lasts to avoid disappointment.
At DND, we assure transparency, affordability, a quick turnaround time, and a professional workmanship guarantee. Our repairs are checked against the highest criteria with GIA-certified benchmark standards, so you can be sure that your jewelry will be handled with the utmost care and efficiency.
5. Do you offer quality assurance for repairs carried out?
You might completely trust your jeweler with your valuables, but it’s always worth asking this question, just in case your repair doesn’t quite live up to expectations. Especially so for a treasured family heirloom. If your item comes back and you’re not completely happy with the repair, will your jeweler offer to take the repair back a second time for a more satisfactory result or compensate you?
If you’re unsure, ask whether your jeweler can provide quality assurance or has a policy for jewelry repairs. At Chrysella, we take great pride in our ability to repair engagement rings and sentimental heirlooms. Our quality assurance measures follow the highest standards in line with GIA policies, and your jewelry repair is meticulously inspected before being returned safely to you.
If your jewelry has already been valued through an appraisal and is insured, it’s always good practice to double-check your insurance policy before parting with your jewelry. If it’s lost, damaged, or stolen, jewelry insurance will cover the cost of repairing or replacing it. Even if you never have to use it, it’s an extra layer of assurance that your jewelry is protected should the worst happen.
Read more about our jewlery repair services and heirloom restoration.
