Jewelry Repair

Jewelry repair in Orange, Connecticut

A piece of fine jewelry is worn, not stored. Rings meet countertops, chains catch on sweaters, prongs wear thin against everything a hand touches in a day.

None of that is a defect. It is what happens when jewelry is actually lived in, and it is the reason a jeweler's work does not end at the sale. We have been handling repairs for clients across Orange, Milford, West Haven and New Haven since 2002, whether the piece came from our cases or from a grandmother's jewelry box.

Where the work is done

Watch batteries and watch band sizing are done here at the store, usually while you wait.

Everything else, from resizing to prong work to restringing, goes to the trade workshop we have used for years. We say so openly, because it is the reason the work comes back right. A dedicated bench with the proper equipment produces better results than a back room, and we would rather your ring be a week away and correct than same day and compromised.

You deal with us throughout. We assess the piece, quote it, send it, track it and return it to you. You never deal with the workshop.

What we handle

Ring being measured for resizing at Diamond Designs in Orange, Connecticut

Ring resizing

Up or down. Most rings can be resized. Eternity bands, tension settings and certain designer pieces cannot be done safely, and we will tell you which category yours falls into before you leave it.

Diamond being set into a prong setting under magnification

Prong work

Retipping worn prongs, tightening loose ones, and resetting stones that have shifted. This is the repair that prevents the expensive one.

Broken chain and bracelet being repaired

Chains and clasps

Soldering breaks, replacing worn clasps, and repairing links. A chain that has broken once at the clasp will usually break there again unless the clasp is replaced rather than reattached.

Loose diamonds and gemstones used to match a missing stone

Stone replacement

Matched to the existing stones in cut, color and size, so the replacement does not announce itself.

White metal jewelry being refinished and replated

Rhodium replating

For white gold that has gone warm or yellow at the edges. Not damage, just the plating wearing through to the gold underneath, and straightforward to restore.

Pearl strand being restrung with a knot between each pearl

Pearl restringing

Knotted between each pearl, the way it should be, so a broken strand loses one pearl rather than all of them.

Jewelry being engraved with a personal message

Engraving

Hand and machine, on new pieces and existing ones.

Laser being used for precision repair on antique jewelry

Antique restoration

Done conservatively. Keeping the original where the original can be kept is usually worth more than making it look new.

Jewelry being cleaned and inspected at the counter

Watch batteries and bands

Done at the store, usually while you wait.

How it works

Bring the piece in

Walk in during store hours or call ahead. If you are not local, contact us first and we will send insured shipping instructions.

Free assessment

We examine the piece under magnification and explain what we find, in plain language. Assessment costs nothing whether you proceed or not.

A written quote before anything is sent

You approve the work and the price first. Nothing happens without your word, and the quote does not move afterward.

The work

Most repairs are completed within one to two weeks, including transit to and from the workshop. You get a date with the quote, not after.

Return and inspection

You collect the piece, look it over with us, and it goes home cleaned and polished.

Complimentary for pieces bought here

  • Cleaning and polishing, any time, for as long as you own the piece
  • Prong and setting inspection, which is how a loose stone gets caught before it is a lost stone
  • A lifetime limited warranty against manufacturing defects
  • A six month warranty against manufacturer defects on items purchased online
  • An honest answer on whether a repair is worth doing, including when it is not

Bring your jewelry in once or twice a year for inspection. A prong that has thinned is a quick fix. A center stone that has fallen out of it is not.

What the warranty covers

Covered

  • Manufacturing defects in the piece as it was made
  • Settings that fail under normal wear within the warranty period
  • Workmanship on any repair we arranged

Not covered

  • Loss, theft or accidental damage, which is what insurance is for
  • Normal wear over time, including thinning shanks and worn prongs
  • Damage from work performed by another jeweler
  • Chipped or broken stones caused by impact

For loss and accidental damage, insure the piece. A homeowner's policy usually caps jewelry coverage well below the value of a single engagement ring, so ask your carrier what the limit is. We can provide the documentation your insurer will ask for. See our appraisals page.

Caring for your jewelry between visits

  • Take rings off before the gym, cleaning, gardening, and anything that involves a grip
  • Put jewelry on last when dressing and take it off first when undressing, so lotion, perfume and hairspray never reach it
  • Store pieces separately, because diamonds scratch gold and gold scratches pearls
  • Clean gold and diamonds at home with warm water, a drop of dish soap and a soft brush
  • Never put pearls, emeralds, opals or any treated stone in an ultrasonic cleaner
  • Have prongs checked yearly, more often if you wear the piece daily

Common questions

Do you service jewelry that was not purchased here?

Yes. Bring it in and we will assess and quote it the same way.

How long does a repair take?

Most work is finished within one to two weeks. You get a date with the quote.

Is cleaning really free?

Yes, for pieces purchased from us, for as long as you own them, with no appointment needed.

Can every ring be resized?

Most can. Eternity bands, tension settings and some designer pieces cannot be resized safely, and in those cases we will tell you what the real options are.

What if the repair is not worth the cost?

We will say so. Sometimes the honest answer is that the piece is better remade, and sometimes it is that the piece is fine as it is.

Can you repair a piece that is beyond repair?

Occasionally the better answer is to rebuild it using the original stones. See our custom design page.

Have something that needs looking at?

Free assessment, a written quote before any work begins, no obligation. Call (203) 799-7999 or bring it in.

Appraisals · Buying and trade in · Custom design

500 Boston Post Road, Orange, CT 06477 · (203) 799-7999

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10–6 · Thursday 10–8 · Saturday 10–5 · Closed Sunday and Monday

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