Other Ring Repairs
Always measure and record finger size of rings with cracked shanks. Then, if a piece of the shank breaks off in the shop, the jeweler knows what size the ring should be. This also helps later if the ring does not fit when the customer returns.
Always measure and record the size of the customer’s finger when taking-in rings bent badly out of shape, and inform the customer that there will be additional charges if the shank cracks while straightening it.
If the shank is worn thin, explain that repairs to a thin shank may not last and recommend a half-shank. If the customer declines the half-shank, note it on the envelope.
Wedding sets being soldered together must be the same size. Measure the sizes of both, and if they differ, inform the customer that one ring must be sized first. (Be certain you know which size is the correct one for her finger!)
Fully describe on the envelope any engraving on the inside of the ring shank. Explain to the customer that all efforts will be made to not disturb the engraving. However, some sizing or repairs may necessitate re-engraving the ring.
Retipping
Prong retipping is probably the most under-recommended repair, and one of the most important. Whenever you take-in jewelry with stones, examine the prongs, and if they’re thin, broken, or missing, recommend retipping in addition to the other repairs. Not only are shop profits increased from the additional work, but also store liability from stones falling out after the customer picks up their jewelry is reduced substantially.
When taking-in jewelry for re-tipping, do not just write Retip Prongs. Be specific, state the number of prongs to be retipped and designate them on a simply drawn diagram. This is needed for two reasons:
- Avoids Confusion
This clarifies for the jeweler the work that is to be done. If the jeweler retips ten or twelve prongs when the salesperson quoted two or three, the store/customer relationship is damaged. - Permanent Record
If the customer complains that some prongs are too thin when they pick it up, or later a stone has fallen out of the jewelry the drawing on the envelope identifies which prongs have been retipped.
While it is common practice and helpful to the jeweler to mark with a felt-tip marker the prongs needing retipping, you are left with no record of which prongs were done.
If colored stones are scratched, chipped or abraded, suggest to the customer that you re-polish them. Since you must remove most colored stones from the mounting for the retipping, this is an ideal time to have it re-polished. When customers know re-polishing makes their old rings look new again, they often agree to the extra cost. (Adding some extra profits to the shop)