Jewellery isn’t made to hide away in a box. You wear it, love it, maybe even accidentally bash it against a table or tug at a stubborn clasp. Over time, things loosen, bend out of shape, snap, or just wear down. That’s just how it goes. Honestly, more than 80% of jewellery will need a repair sooner or later — sometimes it’s just a quick polish, and other times, it’s a bit more involved.

At Blackwell Jewellers, we see the same repair jobs walk through our doors week after week. Snapped chains from getting caught on clothes. Rings that don’t look quite round anymore. Stones that wiggle after years of wear. Clasps that refuse to hold on. Bent earrings. Every piece has its own story — and a fix to go with it.

So, in this blog, we’ll walk you through the 10 most common jewellery repairs. You’ll find out what usually goes wrong, why it happens, and what you can actually do about it. We’ll also point you to some of our other handy guides, like:

How Long Does Jewellery Repair Really Take — And What Affects the Time?

Why Jewellery Breaks (And How to Stop It Happening Again)

5 Signs Your Ring Needs Repair

The Cost of Jewellery Repairs in the UK: What You Really Need to Know

 

Whether you’ve noticed a loose stone, a chain that keeps snagging, or a ring that just doesn’t fit like it used to, this guide’s here to help you figure it out and feel good about what comes next.

Because your jewellery deserves to be worn and enjoyed — not forgotten at the back of a drawer, waiting for “someday.”

 “Most jewellery issues are completely normal — here are the 10 most common repairs.”

 Chain Repairs

Why Chains Break — And How Jewellers Fix Them

Chain repairs are easily one of the jobs we tackle most often at Blackwell. Not a shock, really—chains get worn every day, and they’re usually the first bit of jewellery to give in to wear and tear.

Most breaks happen in the same spots. Sometimes it’s a link that’s worn down over time. Other times, the clasp is giving out. You’ll also see breaks from a chain snagging on clothes, a kid giving it a tug, or just a quick yank by accident. Thin chains, like herringbone or rope styles, can snap if they get bent sharply.

Here’s the upside: fixing a broken chain is usually pretty straightforward. Jewellers use soldering, which is really just heating up the metal and carefully joining the broken pieces. On simple chains, you’ll barely spot the repair. Even on decorative ones, it blends in nicely.

The type of chain does make a difference, though. Something simple, like a curb chain, is usually quick to fix. More detailed styles—rope, herringbone, figaro—can take a bit longer. We break all of this down in our guide, How Long Does Jewellery Repair Take?

If your chain keeps snagging or you spot a weak link, don’t wait. Bringing it in early stops bigger problems down the line. Waiting too long just means a bigger break and a longer repair.

👉 Read next:

The Jewellery Repair Process Explained

 

“A quick solder can make a broken chain look brand new again.”

Stone Setting & Stone Replacement 

Loose Stones, Missing Stones & Why It Happens

Stone problems stress people out more than almost any other repair—and honestly, it makes sense. When a diamond or gemstone comes loose, it feels like your entire ring’s in trouble. But here’s the thing: loose stones are totally normal. Almost every ring ends up with one at some point.

So, what actually causes this?

Claws wear down just by living life. Typing, grabbing bags, working out—they all chip away at the setting.

If you bump or knock your ring, the setting gets weaker. Rings can bend out of shape, especially if you wear them during heavy lifting or hands-on work. Even the best settings loosen after years of daily wear.

Ignore a loose stone and you’ll probably need a full replacement, which is way more expensive. That’s why we always talk about stone checks in our repair guides—like “5 Signs Your Ring Needs Repair.”

How do jewellers fix it?

It depends on the problem, but usually they’ll tighten the claws, rebuild worn claws (that’s called re-tipping), reset the stone from scratch, or replace it if it’s gone altogether.

At Blackwell, we work with both natural and lab-grown diamonds, so matching the colour, cut, and clarity isn’t a problem if you need a new stone. If you’re trying to decide between natural and lab-grown, we’ll point you to our blog "Lab- Grown Diamonds Vs Mined: The Complete Guide" so you can make the call with all the facts.

When should you act?

If your stone moves, twists, or rattles—even a little—get it checked right away. A quick fix now saves you a much bigger headache later.

 

“Loose stone? A simple tightening can save you from losing it.”

Ring Resizing & Reshaping 

Why Rings Need Resizing — And What Happens During the Repair

At Blackwell Jewellers, we resize rings all the time. It’s honestly one of the repairs we see the most. Fingers change — that’s just life. Weight goes up or down, the weather messes with your hands, pregnancy happens, you get older, or maybe you just wear your ring a lot. One day, your ring fits perfectly. The next, it’s either squeezing your finger or spinning in circles. You’re definitely not alone.

So, why do rings need resizing? There’s a bunch of reasons. Your fingers can swell or shrink depending on the season. Sometimes the ring gets too loose and starts twisting around. Wear it every day and the band might slowly bend out of shape. Maybe the size was just a bit off from the start. Or you’ve knocked your hand and flattened the back of the ring. All of that can make your ring uncomfortable, constantly spinning, or sitting crooked on your finger. Those are all signs it’s time to get it resized.

Here’s how we do it. If you need your ring bigger, we add a bit of metal. If it needs to be smaller, we take some away. Then we solder the band, shape it back into a perfect circle, polish everything up, and make sure you can’t see where the work was done. Some rings — like full eternity bands or those with fancy patterns — take a bit longer, which we talk about more in our guide on how long jewellery repairs take.

If your ring’s bent or squashed, we fix that first. We get it back to a nice, round shape before resizing.

So when should you get your ring resized? If it spins around all day, feels tight in the morning, or just isn’t comfortable anymore, bring it in. A proper fit keeps your stone secure too — especially if you’ve seen our post about the five signs your ring needs repair.

 

 “Resizing restores comfort, safety, and the perfect fit.”

 Prong Re-Tipping

The Small Repair That Saves Your Stone

Prongs, or claws, are those little metal arms that grip your gemstone and keep it in place. They might seem tiny, but they’re the main thing standing between your stone and, well, the floor. When prongs wear down, your gemstone’s at risk. Honestly, worn-out claws are one of the top reasons people lose their diamonds and other precious stones.

That’s why we spend a lot of time re-tipping prongs — it’s one of the most important repairs we do. 

So, why do prongs wear down? Well, it happens bit by bit. Everyday things like your ring brushing against bags, steering wheels, or gym equipment can wear them out. Knocks and bumps don’t help, either. Sometimes your ring gets a little out of shape, or harsh cleaning products start eating away at the metal. Over time, the claws get thin and can’t hold the stone securely. Sometimes they even snap off without you realizing. That’s why we always remind people to check their prongs regularly — it’s one of the main tips in our “5 Signs Your Ring Needs Repair” guide.

Re-tipping is all about making those claws strong again. A jeweller adds new metal, shapes it just right, and tightens everything up so your stone is safe. If more than one claw is worn, it’s best to fix them all together. That way, your stone sits straight and secure. But if the claws are really worn down, or if the whole setting is getting old, you might need a full rebuild. We break that process down in “The Jewellery Repair Process Explained.”

Here’s when to act: If your claws look thin, sharp, flat, or uneven — or if you can feel the stone wiggle when you tap it — get it checked out right away. A quick re-tip costs a lot less than replacing a lost diamond.

“Re-tipping strengthens the setting and keeps your gemstone secure.”

Clasp Replacement 

Small Repair, Big Difference — Why Clasps Fail & How Jewellers Fix Them

Clasps are tiny, but honestly, they do all the heavy lifting for your jewellery. If a clasp isn’t strong, even your favourite chain or bracelet can slip off without you noticing. That’s why we end up replacing so many clasps — it’s one of the most important fixes we do.

So, why do clasps give out? Well, they take the most action. You’re always opening and closing them, way more than any other part. Over time, metal gets tired. Springs inside the clasp wear down. Triggers get bent or stretched out. Sometimes the chain tugs at weird angles, and let’s face it, cheaper clasps just lose their grip. Most of the time, the clasp doesn’t snap in half — it just stops working right. If you’ve ever had a chain that always seems to come undone, the clasp is usually to blame.

Here’s how a jeweller swaps out a bad clasp. First, they’ll match the metal — silver, gold, platinum, whatever your piece needs. Then they pick the right type: lobster, bolt ring, trigger, or maybe a safety clasp. They’ll solder the new clasp on tight and check the whole chain for any weak spots.

We talk more about where this fits in the bigger picture in The Jewellery Repair Process Explained.

Bottom line? If your clasp feels loose, gets stuck, doesn’t snap back, or just opens too easily, don’t wait. Replace it before your jewellery disappears.

“A new clasp keeps your jewellery secure and prevents loss.”

7. Earring Repairs

Bent Posts, Broken Hoops & Missing Backs — The Most Common Earring Fixes

Earrings look simple, but honestly, they’re some of the trickiest pieces of jewellery you can own. You handle them all the time—taking them off, putting them back on, pushing them through your ears. No wonder they bend, snap, or just stop fitting right. At Blackwell Jewellers, earring repairs are always near the top of our most common jobs.

So, what goes wrong most often?

Here’s what we see:

Bent posts—usually from pulling earrings out too hard or sleeping with them in.

Hoops that snap at the hinge or wire.

Loose or missing butterfly backs.

Stud mounts that get damaged.

Mismatched earrings—someone loses one and wants us to make a match.

If you wear earrings every day, these problems are just part of the deal.

Luckily, fixing earrings is usually pretty quick and painless. Depending on what’s happened, a jeweller might straighten or rebuild a bent post, replace a snapped wire, tighten up a hinge, re-solder a broken hoop, swap out missing backs, or even make a new earring to match a lost one.

We talk about repairs like these all the time on our blog—things like how long jewellery repairs take and what actually happens behind the scenes in the workshop.

Bottom line: if your earrings feel wobbly, keep falling out, or just don’t sit right, don’t wait. Bring them in before a small problem turns into a missing earring. Hoops and studs especially love to disappear the second something’s not quite right.

“Most earring issues are quick, simple repairs.”

 Engraving Restoration 

Bringing Faded Messages Back to Life

Engravings add a personal touch to jewellery—those dates, initials, or little messages end up meaning way more than you’d expect. But honestly, if you wear a ring every day, don’t be surprised when the inscription starts fading. It happens to almost everyone, and people come to us for this kind of fix all the time.

Everyday wear does a number on those fine engraved lines. They get shallower, blurrier, sometimes almost impossible to see, especially on softer metals like gold or silver. The inside of rings wears down fastest, just because of all the constant movement against your skin.

So how do jewellers bring them back? Usually, we’ll either use a laser or go in by hand. Laser engraving is sharp, precise—great if you want really clean text. Hand engraving, on the other hand, works best for vintage pieces or when you want something with a bit more depth and character.

Restoring an engraving means deepening those faded spots, following the original style, and making sure it all matches up. Once that’s done, we polish the jewellery so the engraving stands out again, good as new.

Honestly, this whole topic fits right in with what we talk about in our other repair blogs—like The Jewellery Repair Process Explained—where we break down how all these fixes come together in the workshop.

If you’re squinting to make out what your ring says, or the engraving looks patchy and worn, it’s probably time for a refresh. Don’t wait too long; getting it redone early keeps the metal in better shape and saves you from bigger repairs down the road.

“Restoring your engraving protects the story your jewellery tells.”

Pearl & Bead Restringing 

Why Pearl Strands Loosen — And Why Restringing Matters

Pearls have a classic kind of beauty, but honestly, they’re a bit high-maintenance. They’re nothing like solid metal jewellery. Instead, each pearl is strung together with silk or nylon thread, and that stuff just doesn’t last forever. Over time, the thread gets tired. If you’ve ever run your fingers along a strand and felt it go limp or noticed spaces where pearls shouldn’t be, you’re not alone. That’s the tell-tale sign it’s time for one of the most common fixes out there: pearl restringing.

So, why bother with restringing? Pearls really need a check-up every year or two, depending on how much you wear them. Daily life—perfume, skin oils, just moving around—takes a toll. The thread stretches, weakens, and sometimes gives up.

Here’s what to watch for:

- Gaps showing up between pearls

- The strand feels floppy, twisty, or just off

- Knots have vanished or look uneven

- Pearls slide around when they shouldn’t

Wait too long, and you risk the worst-case scenario: the whole strand snaps, probably when you least expect it. That’s why we always talk about safe storage and regular care.

As for restringing itself, it’s a hands-on job. A jeweller cuts away the old thread, then strings each pearl onto new silk. They tie knots between every pearl to keep them from rubbing and to stop them all tumbling to the floor if the thread ever breaks. Then they reattach the clasp and make sure the strand feels just right—tight enough, balanced, and secure.

If you spot any signs of wear—gaps, a loose feel, twisted spots—don’t put it off. Restringing keeps your pearls looking good and protects the memories tied to them.

“Regular restringing keeps your pearls secure, elegant, and long-lasting.”

Full Polishing & Restoration 

Bringing Old Jewellery Back to Life

Even the most beautiful jewellery eventually loses its shine. Scratches appear, metal dulls, stones look cloudy, and years of daily wear start to show. This is completely normal — and it’s why full polishing and restoration is one of the most popular services we carry out.

Unlike a simple clean, a full restoration goes deeper. It’s designed to make your jewellery look as close to “brand new” as possible, while also strengthening weak areas and protecting it for the future.

What Restoration Includes

Depending on the condition of your piece, a full polish and restoration may involve:

• Removing surface scratches
  
  

• Deep cleaning the metal and gemstone setting
  
  

• Strengthening worn claws or thin shanks
  
  

• Reshaping bent rings
  
  

• Polishing gemstone facets to restore sparkle
  
  

• Re-plating white gold with rhodium
  
  

• Fixing dents, marks, and deep wear spots
  
  

Often, restoration includes multiple repairs at once — which is exactly what we explain in The Jewellery Repair Process Explained and Why Jewellery Breaks (And How to Stop It Happening Again).

Why Restoration Matters

Jewellery isn’t meant to stay perfect forever. It changes with you. But when it starts looking tired or worn, restoring it can:

• Add years of life to the piece
  
  

• Enhance its value
  
  

• Protect gemstones
  
  

• Strengthen weak areas
  
  

• Make sentimental items feel new again
  
  

We also break down typical timelines in our blog How Long Does Jewellery Repair Really Take — And What Affects the Time?, because restorations involve more steps than standard repairs.

When to Get a Full Restoration

If your jewellery looks scratched, dull, or worn — or if it hasn’t been professionally cleaned in years — a restoration will make an enormous difference.

“A professional restoration can make your jewellery look brand new again.”

Your Jewellery Deserves Expert Care — Don’t Wait Until It Breaks

Most jewellery repairs don’t happen because you messed up. They happen because you actually wear your jewellery, love it, and live your life with it on. Chains get weak over time. Rings lose their shape. Stones work themselves loose. Clasps give out. Engravings fade. That’s just how it goes. Now that you’ve seen the 10 most common repairs, you know exactly why things break — and what you can do about it.

Here’s what really matters:

If you leave small problems alone, they turn into big ones.

A loose stone falls out and disappears.

A weak clasp lets your chain slip away.

A stretched strand of pearls snaps.

A slight bend turns into a full-on reshape.

Getting repairs done early is cheaper, faster, and keeps that sentimental value safe — whether it’s a birthday present, a family keepsake, or just the thing you wear every day.

At Blackwell Jewellers, we team up with The Jewellery Mechanic so you get repairs you can trust. Simple fixes or total restorations, your pieces are in expert hands the whole way.

So if you notice something off — a twist, a scratch, a stone that looks crooked, or that dull look that won’t go away — don’t put it off.

Start a repair today with The Jewellery Mechanic.

Get a free repair estimate with no pressure.

Or drop by your nearest Blackwell Jewellers and talk to someone in person.

Your jewellery has its own story. We’re here to help it keep going.

 “Expert care, restored shine, and jewellery ready to be worn again.”