Everything which is man-made is susceptible to break down, and this very well applies to jewellery as well. Jewellery refers to delicate pieces that you cannot repair with your regular hammers and screwdrivers. There are special tools required for their repairs. These tools make it easy to take on simple jewellery repairs at home instead of paying professionals to do the job. These tools can be found at any craft or hardware store for less than the cost of a professional repair.
Some of them can be easily found in the toolbox at home:
Pliers
Two sets of pliers are always required, no matter what jewellery pieces are being repaired. One pair of pliers is used to hold the jewellery in place, while the other is used to pry open the jump rings, set jewels or attach clasps. Different types of pliers can be used for jewellery repairs. Round-nose pliers are pretty helpful for bending metals, while chain nose pliers are better for a tripping wire. But standard needle nosed pliers found in almost any tool kit will work with most of the projects.
Workstation
It is essential to have a good workstation so that you don’t end up losing tiny parts of your jewellery pieces during the repair. As most of the accessories are made up of tiny chain links, beads and gems, any individual attempting jewellery repairs at home must have a dedicated desk where the project is not disturbed and any tiny part can be collected, in case it happens to fall or slip. The area should be spacious enough and well-lit to hold all the required tools and should be put away from tiny tots or pets that may cause small pieces to go misplaced. A magnifying glass may be useful during the process too.
Jeweller’s Epoxy
At times, a soldering iron is not a suitable tool to use for jewellery repairs. For the purpose of reattaching loose stones like pearls or gems, many renowned jewellers turn to jeweller’s epoxy. This is a special kind of glue that needs mixing before it can be used for the repair. Prior to the application, all of the old glue must be carefully removed so that the epoxy can bond perfectly to the jewellery. A clamp or vice must be used to help hold the stone in place until the epoxy dries.
Soldering Iron
A soldering iron is a tool which is used to melt a tiny piece of metal called as solder to build a connection between two other pieces of metal. Once the solder cools down, it bonds the pieces together permanently. This is pretty much ideal for closing jump rings, repairing chains or reattaching metal beads. The pliers will be necessary when using a soldering iron, as the torch creates high heat which can easily burn the skin of the user if he/she is not cautious about it.
Conclusion
With the right tools in your hand and with a little practice, you will easily be able to perform simple jewellery repairs at home. By doing this, you can save your favourite piece without the expensive repairs that come along with a trip to the jewellery store. For difficult or complex repairing jobs, it is best to consult an experienced professional so that you don’t lose your expensive jewellery piece. You can refer to a variety of online or offline repair guides that can help you carry out the repairs in a safe and effective way. However, if you are not sure how to conduct the repair yourself, you should consult an expert so that you do not risk your delicate piece to damage.