5 Signs Your Jewelry Needs Repairs

Your favorite jewelry is meant to be worn and enjoyed, but daily life can take a toll on even the most well-made pieces. Recognizing the early warning signs of wear and tear can prevent a minor issue from turning into a heartbreaking loss. If you notice your ring catching on clothing, a stone that seems to move, or a clasp that doesn't close securely, it's time to seek professional help. 

Everyday activities like handwashing, applying lotion, and simply wearing your jewelry can gradually affect its condition. Recognizing those early warning signs can save you from heartbreak later. 

Key Takeaways

• Gently tap near your stone’s setting. Any movement means the prongs need immediate attention.
• Check prongs for signs of thinning, flattening, or snagging, which indicate weakening.
• Test necklace and bracelet clasps often to ensure they close securely.
• Make sure your rings fit comfortably, not too loose or too tight, to avoid stress on the band.
• Have your jewelry professionally cleaned and inspected every six months to prevent costly damage.
  
  

Is Your Favorite Piece at Risk?

Jewelry celebrates life’s most meaningful moments, engagements, anniversaries, birthdays, and milestones that shape who we are. Each piece you wear holds emotion and memory, which makes caring for it so important. Like any treasured possession, jewelry benefits from regular attention and maintenance. A quick inspection or professional cleaning can often prevent disaster from striking. Here are five clear signs that your jewelry may need professional repair to keep it shining beautifully for years to come.

1. A Loose or Wiggling Gemstone

Few things are more alarming than realizing your gemstone feels loose. If you can hear a faint rattle or feel your stone shift when touched, your setting or prongs may be wearing down.

Even a slightly loose stone is at risk of falling out and being lost forever. Our on-site master goldsmith can examine your setting, tighten the prongs, or perform a full stone resetting to ensure your gem is safe and secure.

2. Worn, Bent, or Snagging Prongs

Prongs are small but mighty! They are what keep your diamonds and gemstones securely in place. Over time, they can wear thin, bend, or even break from daily wear. If your prongs look flat, uneven, or catch on fabrics, it’s a clear sign they need attention.

We specialize in rebuilding and re-tipping worn prongs to restore their strength and integrity. This seemingly small repair can make the difference between keeping your stone forever and losing it unexpectedly.

3. A Broken or Faulty Clasp

Clasps are one of the most common jewelry components to fail, and when they do, you risk losing an entire necklace or bracelet. If your clasp feels loose, bent, or doesn’t snap closed securely, it’s time for repair.

A professional jeweler can repair or replace the clasp, often using precise soldering techniques for a seamless, durable fix. This simple service ensures your jewelry stays right where it belongs, safely with you.

4. Discoloration or Dullness

If your once-brilliant white gold ring now appears yellowish, the rhodium plating has likely worn off. Rhodium is what gives white gold its signature bright finish, and re-plating once a year keeps it looking luminous.

For other metals, professional cleaning and polishing can remove tarnish, lotion buildup, and everyday residue. At Frank Jewelers, our jewelry cleaning includes expert polishing, steam cleaning, and inspection, restoring your pieces to their original shine while checking for any hidden issues.

5. Your Ring Doesn’t Fit Like It Used To

Finger sizes naturally change over time, and a ring that no longer fits properly can easily slip off or become uncomfortably tight. Both situations can cause damage to your jewelry or worse, result in a loss.

Professional ring resizing ensures your jewelry fits comfortably and securely. Our jewelers measure your finger precisely and adjust the size with care, preserving the structure of the band. And for rings purchased at Frank Jewelers, resizing is always complimentary.

Keep Your Jewelry as Beautiful as Your Memories

Your jewelry tells your story, and we’re here to help you protect it. Regular maintenance is the simplest way to preserve your pieces for generations. From polishing and rhodium plating to prong and clasp repair, our on-site master goldsmith handles every repair with precision and care in our state-of-the-art Freeport showroom.

If you’ve noticed any signs of wear or want peace of mind, bring your jewelry to Frank Jewelers. We offer free inspections and comprehensive jewelry repair services.  We’ll treat your treasures as if they were our own so you can keep wearing your memories, worry-free.

Book an appointment or stop by our Freeport location today for trusted, expert jewelry repair and care.