Learning how to get started

Jewelry contains a unique quality of sentimental value. This is the value of knowing its history and the enjoyment of wearing the jewelry. Sentimental value is much different from monetary value because a dollar amount does not usually become the primary value. A known fact, such as past ownership or a history of the jewelry will often become more important than dollar value.

Over the years much jewelry is handed from one generation to another, or friend to a friend. The design of jewelry often changes along with the many fashions in our everyday society as time passes. Also knowing a piece of jewelry was made at a time when its design has again become desirable to wear makes the jewelry special.

This brings up an important question. What can be done with antique jewelry that I have but is worn or broken? Of course there are many types of antique jewelry. Some jewelry can be easily repaired and some jewelry will just not allow much to be done because of the materials.

The most repairable antique jewelry will be solid gold (either 10 karat, 14 karat or 18 karat or platinum) and the stones will be diamonds. This combination will give us the most repairable jewelry to be restored. Often we need to repair the "fingers" or prongs which hold the stones in place, replace a gem stone, repair a clasp or something which has broken. With diamonds we can do the work without having to remove the diamonds.

Sometimes antique jewelry contains pearls or colored stones. This requires removing the pearls and sometimes the colored stones to prevent damage because often heat is required to solder and repair the item. Each repair is different and requires special attention. Depending on the repair which is needed, it is many times an "either / or" decision which needs to be made.

If a piece of jewelry has been badly worn or broken, it becomes a question of how far to restore the piece. Sometimes only a few parts must be repaired to make it look original, but more work could be done if the jewelry is going to be worn and used on a regular basis. Taking each piece of antique jewelry and then deciding what options are available for repair becomes a routine for most repairs.

The best way to get started in restoring your antique jewelry is to pick out your most desirable piece of jewelry - the piece that you would like to wear or the piece which means the most to you. Starting with your favorite piece of jewelry will keep you from being overwhelmed with too many decisions. Many times we can give you a few choices as to how much repairing needs to be done and you can decide your budget for the repairs.

After making these few decisions, you will be on your way to restoring your antique jewelry and also cultivating those many precious memories of the past, which are being stored in your jewelry.

Wayne J. Creek, Jeweler