Antique pieces carry stories, but they also carry a century of wear. Repairing them well means respecting the original craftsmanship while making them safe to wear again.
Assess before you wear
Old prongs, worn shanks and brittle solder joints are common. Have an inherited piece inspected before wearing it regularly, especially rings and bracelets.
Preserve the patina
Aggressive polishing can erase hand engraving and milgrain detail. Tell your jeweler which details matter to you; we polish conservatively and can leave patina in recesses.
Old cut diamonds
Old mine and old European cuts have a distinctive glow. If one is chipped, recutting can cost carat weight and character. Replacement with a matching antique cut is often preferable.
Repair versus redesign
Some pieces are too worn to save as-is. Our redesign service can reuse the original stones and even portions of the original metal in a new piece that honors the original.
Documentation
Photograph heirlooms and consider an appraisal for insurance and family records.
Written by the bench team at Ivanquero Co., 624 S Cody St, Lakewood, CO 80226. This guide is general information; bring your piece in for advice specific to your jewelry.