The most important reason to have your jewelry inspected is for the safety and security of your gemstones. Your jewelry should be inspected at a minimum of once annually and more often for frequently worn pieces. In addition, if you have significantly bumped or jarred your ring or bracelet it should be inspected. Gemstones can become loose or lost in a weakened setting.
What Can Happen to My Jewelry?
- The prongs on your jewelry can wear thin over time. These prongs can appear flat and no longer rounded at the top. This can happen with all metals, but the higher karat of gold, the more susceptible it is to wearing thin. That is why 18K gold will wear more quickly than 14K or 10K.
A jeweler will determine if the piece should be re-tipped. If worn too thin, the ring may need a new crown. - The prongs on your jewelry can become raised or bent from general wear and tear. This can result in a lost gemstone. If the prongs themselves are still in good condition, a jeweler can safely push the prongs back into place to hold the gemstone securely. This should not be attempted on your own as you could damage the stone.
- The shank of the ring (that goes around your finger) can be worn thin. This can become sharp and even cut your finger. A jeweler can repair this with a new half shank which will add to the life and sturdiness of the ring.
- Small side stones can be missing. Upon closer inspection sometimes smaller stones are missing. These can be easily replaced to bring your ring back to life.
Follow these tips and your jewelry will continue to give you many years of pleasure. If you want your jewelry to be examined for any damage, check on your mounting, or get further advice, contact RH Bockstruck today.