There it is again. It’s staring up at you from your jewelry box, like an abandoned child at the mall who thinks that you’re their mother. 

It’s a piece of jewelry that has something wrong with it. Maybe it’s a tangled necklace, a broken brooch pin, or a ring missing two melee diamonds. You never wear it because you’re worried that the problem will get worse, but at the same time, you love it too much to let it go. You’ve heard that there is a local independent shop fixing jewelry near you, but you’re nervous that it will cost too much. Even worse, what if they tell you that it’s not worth the effort?

We’ve all fretted about this kind of thing, but today we’re here to tell you: it’s worth it to get your jewelry repaired! In-house jewelry repair is a huge part of the business at our shop in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and not just because it’s an in-demand service. Below, we outline a couple reasons why repairing your jewelry is important.

1. A sturdy repair breathes new life into beloved old pieces. Watching a piece of jewelry — be it a necklace, a pair of earrings, a bracelet, or a ring — fall into disrepair can be distressing. For some, this can lead to a feedback loop where the jewelry and your emotional state around it both get continually worse! Getting a piece repaired, on the other hand, can improve and re-enliven your relationship with it.

2. Repairing jewelry is better for the environment. This is a big focus of the repair program at our Ann Arbor shop. Whether your favorite pieces started their journey here or not, helping to maintain heirloom-quality jewelry is an essential component of our commitment to sustainability. We want your jewelry to last lifetimes!

3. If it’s not worth it, a reputable jewelry repair shop will tell you so. Some jewelry repair procedures can be a touch pricey. However, those prices are typically proportionate to the value of the jewelry. A brass cuff, for example, might not be worth the cost of repair unless it has great sentimental value, but gold jewelry repairs are typically well justified. A reputable shop will let you know when the cost likely outweighs the benefit, and will advise you on your options when a sentimental piece is going to cost an extraordinary sum to repair. To go in with confidence, it’s a good idea to read reviews or ask around town before paying a visit to a shop.

4. Well-kept jewelry is a more reliable investment. More often than not, people love their jewelry and intend to keep it for years, even decades. If your jewelry ever needs to be sold, though, for whatever reason, the piece will be worth significantly more when it’s kept in good condition.

What repairs are standard at independent jewelry shops?

Jewelry shops, like people, are all different. They have different specialties and different equipment. Just for an example, we offer the following jewelry repair services at our shop in Ann Arbor, Michigan: 

  • Necklace repair

  • Ring Resizing

  • Laser welding

  • Soldering

  • Jewelry Refurbishment

  • Restringing of Pearls and Beads

  • Jewelry Restoration

  • Stone Setting/Tightening

  • Setting Repair/Prong Retips

  • Watch Battery Replacement

  • Watch Bracelet Resizing/Link Removal

  • Wood Inlay Repair and Replacement

Live nearby, but don’t see what you need here? Give us a call or email! There’s an excellent chance we can do what you need, but we’re also happy to point you in the right direction when something is outside our current capabilities. If you don’t live nearby, go ahead and reach out anyway; we might know someone reputable near you who can help!

Jewelry is a treasure, and one that can carry a lot of meaning along with its beauty. Good jewelry shops will want to help you maintain that meaning and beauty for years to come!

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