Ring Restoration and Resizing: A Guide to What Can and Can’t be Done

 

When you think about the different types of rings available, you can see how precious they are to people: engagement, wedding, eternity, heirloom. All of these ring types are exquisite and unique in their own way, and that’s without mentioning the other special occasions when rings are given. So just imagine if your treasured ring becomes damaged or not fit-for-wear in some way and how upsetting that would be. However, with most damage, your local jeweller will be able to use their special brand of tender loving care to restore your special ring back to its former glory – and what’s more, the work will be carried out on the premises.

Ring bent out of shape?

If your ring is a delicate design, such as a filigree ring, over time it may become bent out of shape. But fear not, all is not lost: your local independent jeweller may be able to save it. Quite often, your local jeweller can use a specialist tool, called a Mandrel, to push the ring back into shape. If the metal has become particularly thin or weak, for example, or if it bends out of shape again quickly, an inner layer of the same material may need to be applied to strengthen it.

Ring lost its stones?

A lot of people worry that if a ring loses some of its stones, particularly if the setting includes more than one stone, it will lose its character if replacement stones are set. Your local jewellery shop, however, will often offer a stone matching service, so that the missing stone is replaced like for like. Your local jeweller can also check that the claws on a ring are secure to ensure that future stone loss is prevented.

Ring looking lacklustre?

A ring which has lost its sparkle is easy to restore to its former glory: often all it needs is an expert polish from your local jeweller. For white gold rings, if the ring is starting to look a little more yellow than white, it may need its rhodium plating replaced; this is a simple process which your local independent jeweller will be able to carry out on site for you, so no need to send your precious ring away and risk its loss.

Ring in need of resizing?

Sometimes, with all the will in the world, when a special ring is bought for us, it may be bought in too big a size. Or perhaps an heirloom ring has been bequeathed to you which is the wrong size. Whatever the situation, your ring can often be resized by a local independent jeweller.

Resizing a ring smaller is normally a lot easier than making a ring larger, as your local jeweller can just cut and remove the necessary amount of metal out of the shank of the ring before reshaping it and soldering it back together. Making a ring larger can be difficult, but can sometimes be done by adding an extra piece of metal, and rings set with stones around all or the majority of the shank can also be tricky; it’s always best to speak to your local independent jeweller about what can and can’t be done to your precious ring.