What To Do If You Damage Your Fine Jewellery

Jewellery can mean lots of different things to different people. For some, it’s a sign of status or an important fashion accessory that complements the rest of the outfit. For others, its value is entirely sentimental – perhaps a reminder of a certain person, place or time in their lives.

No matter what your reasons for treasuring a piece are, it can be extremely upsetting if it becomes damaged. This could occur in a number of ways – for example, during daily activities like cleaning or exercising – and even through something as seemingly harmless as applying aftershave or perfume.

And if that does happen, it’s not always easy to know what to do about it. There are a few options available to you, depending on the piece and the extent of the damage. Here, we’ll run you through some of the things that you could try – and some of the things that you definitely shouldn’t.

Never try to repair anything yourself

Fixing jewellery is a precise, delicate skill and one which takes years of specialised training to master. If you try to carry out any repairs yourself, you run the risk of making things worse and even damaging the piece irrevocably. For that reason, it’s always worth taking any damaged item to a jeweller or repair shop, so that it can be looked at by a professional.

Check your insurance policy

If the piece has particular monetary or sentimental value, you may have had the foresight to take out a jewellery insurance policy. If so, it’s worth checking the terms and conditions of your documents to work out what is included and what isn’t. For example, you might be covered for repairs, replacements or compensation for any damages. If your collection is not currently insured, it might be worth taking out a policy to help protect yourself in the event of any future problems.

Repurpose any irreparable pieces

If the piece is no longer able to function in its current form, all may not be lost. You may be able to repurpose it into something else. For example, a stone from a damaged ring could be used to create a special necklace or bracelet, thus preserving the sentimentality attached to it.

Sell your item

If the damaged piece was not one of your favourites in the first place, you might decide that now is the perfect time to thin out your collection a little bit. The likes of Etsy and eBay can offer access to a huge audience, but it’s important to do your research into the market and get a few independent valuations before you decide to put anything up for sale. When you do, you must state that the piece is damaged so as not to mislead any potential buyers.

*Collaborative post