Repairing Victorian Jewelry

Although Victorian Jewelry is around 100 years old, it is still enjoyed today. Victorian Jewelry is often inherited as a family heirloom, but it can also be purchased from estate sales or antique stores. After all those years, however, anything, including jewelry, is likely to show signs of wear and tear. If you have a piece of Victorian Jewelry in your jewelry box that you would love to wear, but it needs repair, what can be done? While some damage can be repaired, some damage cannot. Most times, the possibility of repairing a piece of Victorian Jewelry will be determined by the limitations of the original metal and/or stones used and the type of damage that needs to be repaired. Even if it is possible to repair an item, the work may be so extensive that is makes the repair cost prohibitive.

Quality Repairs on Victorian Jewelry

Repairing and restoring Victorian Jewelry is a highly specialized profession. Even though a jeweler may be qualified and willing to work on newer jewelry, it does not mean they are qualified or wish to work on antique jewelry. To work on antique jewelry, the jeweler should have the experience and knowledge and patience that is needed to properly repair and restore Victorian Jewelry. Repairing Victorian Jewelry often requires more patience and specialized training that many jewelers don't have. If a jeweler is not qualified, they will often not take the necessary time and trouble to do the repair right. The quality of the repair will be a result of the expertise of the jeweler that performs the work.

When contacting jewelers about repairing your Victorian Jewelry, you would want to find out if the jeweler is experienced in repairing antique jewelry. Once you have found a jeweler that repairs Victorian Jewelry, before committing to the repair, you would want to show them the item and ask them what is entailed in the repair, what results you can expect, the length of time estimated for the repair, and the costs involved.

While some damaged items are easily and inexpensively fixed, other damaged items may require more extensive repairs that end up being very expensive. Some repair jobs can end up costing more than the jewelry itself is worth. Cost can be a big consideration when deciding to repair Victorian Jewelry.

Costume Victorian Jewelry Repairs

If the jewelry is missing a crystal or stone, it is often possible to find a replacement stone. Some jewelers weill b willing and able to look for vintage stones while some jewelers will just use new crystals. If the stones are glue set rather than prong set, they can probably be repaired. If prong set, it will depend on the condition of the setting and prongs. If the setting is damaged, it is very likely that it cannot be repaired. Costume jewelry is usually set in non-precious metals which cannot be soldered. Sometimes epoxy or lead solder can be used as a temporary fix. Some damage can be repaired with the new laser torches, but many jewelers can't afford this very expensive equipment. If an item needs to be replated, sometimes it is possible and sometimes it is worth it. Since the repair charges on Victorian Costume Jewelry can often far exceed the value of the item, many jewelers will not want to do the repair. Other jewelers may consider the repair as a labor of love or as a courtesy to a good customer, or charge enough to make it worth their while.

Gluing Crystals in Victorian Jewelry

If you want to attempt your own repair, it is important to use the right glue for the job. You will get the best results if you use a jewelers glue, not a craft glue. Epoxy 330 is a good choice, a 2-part glue that is permanent and durable and will not yellow with time. Hypo-Tube Cement is often used for watch crystals and eyeglasses, and although not as durable as the epoxy, it is sometimes used for rhinestones. Craft glues are not recommended because they often fail to adhere the crystal to the metal and turn yellow with time. Super Glue/Crazy Glue does not work on most jewelry repairs. E6000 glue is not good for costume jewelry and can ruin the foil on crystals.

Common Repairs for Victorian Jewelry

Replacing missing stones is often needed for Victorian Jewelry. Before replacing missing stones, the jeweler will examine the setting and prongs. With years of wear, the metal can wear away and not be able to securely hold the stones. If the prongs are broken or very thin, they will need to be repaired. Because heat is needed to replace and re-tip the prongs, the repair may require removing all the stones that will be damaged by the heat. Metal repair that requires soldering can be done on precious metals, but not on costume jewelry.

Sizing rings is a common request for Victorian Jewelry. Many rings cannot be made much smaller or much bigger than the original size because it would distort the shape of the ring. To make a ring smaller, a small section of the shank must be cut out. To make a ring bigger, it cannot usually be stretched. Most times, a cut is made in the shank and metal is added. Some rings may require a half or full shank replacement. If the band has engravings or designs in the band, they most likely will not be able to be duplicated. Heat sensitive stones must usually be removed before soldering.

While replacing stones and sizing rings are two of the most common repairs for Victorian Jewelry, you may have another type of repair. Other Victorian Jewelry repairs may include repairing chains, repairing clasps on brooches and pins, repairing broken earring posts or earwires or converting to clip or post backs, repairing bracelet hinges or clasps, or restoring an antique watch. Most repairs will be subject to the limitations of the metal and/or stones. Costume jewelry and enamel work is often difficult to repair. Some of these repairs are expensive. If you own a piece of Victorian Jewelry that holds great personal value to you, the cost of repair will be a worthwhile expenditure for you. If you simply love the look of Victorian Jewelry, you may decide not to repair the item you have and instead look for other Victorian Jewelry items to enjoy.

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