Repairs / Amendments
Jewellery
Shorten or lengthen bracelets & necklaces
In our workshop in Eindhoven, our master goldsmiths can shorten or lengthen gold and silver link bracelets and link chains. Because countless types of links exist, there is no standard solution.
Shortening link bracelets and link chains
We can shorten various link bracelets and link chains for you. The cost depends on factors such as the width of the links, the type of soldering, and any fragile stones or ornaments. You will always receive a price quote in advance.
Extend link bracelets and link chains
Lengthening a link bracelet or chain is more difficult than shortening it, because extra links are required. Due to the wide variety of links, it is unlikely that we have the exact same ones in stock or can order them. Possible solutions include an extra loop or a different type of clasp.
In addition, complications may occur, such as:
- Gemstones that are sensitive to temperature or voltage differences
- Hollow links that make soldering difficult
- Rhodium layers, gold plating, or tin solder that make processing more difficult
For some jewelry, such as most bangles or slave bracelets, customization is not possible.
Feel free to visit our store or contact us to discuss the possibilities!
Gemstone setting
In our studio in Eindhoven, we can set gemstones in both new and existing jewelry.
Many of our handmade jewelry pieces feature gemstones, from engagement rings with a brilliant-cut diamond to alliance rings with colored stones. The setting is matched to the stone and cut:
- Cabochon-cut stones (rounded without facets) are often set in a closed bezel.
- Faceted stones, such as brilliant cuts, are usually set in an open setting with prongs.
Do you have a gemstone of your own, for example from an inheritance or a trip abroad? Bring it along and discover the possibilities.
We can also set gemstones in existing jewelry, such as:
- A small diamond in a wedding ring in honor of a birth
- A colored stone in a pendant
- Replacing a cubic zirconia with a sapphire
The possibilities depend on the piece of jewelry and the desired stone. A ring, for example, must be thick enough to securely set a stone.
Feel free to visit our store or contact us to discuss the possibilities!
Engraving
Yes, that is possible!
custom gold and silver name jewelry
In our studio in Eindhoven, we design and create new gold and silver name jewelry, or personalize existing jewelry with an engraving or modification. Think of name necklaces, baby bracelets, dog tags, nameplates, and memorial plaques.
Engraving and processing
We engrave and process jewelry in various ways, such as needle engraving , laser engraving , laser cutting, and hand sawing. You can come to us for:
- Buying or engraving existing jewelry
- Making name jewelry in gold and silver
- Sawing, cutting, or casting personalized pendants or plates
Sawed-out name necklaces
In addition to traditional hand sawing, we can also laser-cut name necklaces for extra precision. We work with gold and silver up to 1 mm thick and can create both standard fonts and custom designs.
Feel free to visit our store or contact us to discuss the possibilities!
Custom ring
In addition to the various repairs we carry out daily, we can also make rings to measure. Because many factors influence ring resizing, we would like to see and assess the ring in our workshop before committing to a repair. The information below provides a general overview of how ring resizing works. Prices are indicative and may vary.
Make rings larger or smaller
There are several ways to make a ring fit. Temporary solutions, such as a piece of tape or a flexible "ring reducer," can help, but a goldsmith is needed for a permanent size change. There are two commonly used methods: stretching or shrinking rings, or shortening or lengthening the ring through sawing and soldering.
Stretching or compressing rings
When stretching or compressing a ring, the ring is heated to soften the material. The ring is then stretched to make it larger or compressed to make it smaller. This method is only suitable for completely smooth, round rings without stones or other weak spots. With straight wedding rings, the shape changes visibly because the straight angles are pressed into a constriction and round slightly. A wide ring can be stretched more than a thin ring, depending on the available material.
Benefits of stretching & compressing:
- Relatively fast
- Ring remains in one piece (no sawing or soldering required)
Disadvantages of stretching & spraining:
- Only suitable for simple rings without stones
- Risk of change in shape
- Limited suitability for large size differences
Adjusting ring size with sawing and soldering
The most common way to permanently increase or decrease the size of a ring is by lengthening or shortening the band using sawing and soldering. To reduce the size, a small section is cut out from between the rings, and the ends are bent towards each other and soldered. To increase the size, a piece is added, requiring at least two solder joints. The ring is then hammered round again and finished.
This method does not work well for rings with fragile ornaments or stones, such as pavé or micro pavé settings, where the stones can come loose due to the change in size.
Advantages of sawing & soldering:
- More rings can be custom-made.
- Suitable for rings with gemstones and ornaments
- Larger size variations possible
Disadvantages of sawing & soldering:
- More work to customize
- Not suitable for all rings
Rings that cannot be custom-made
- Rings with pavé or micro pavé settings, where the stones sit close together and the setting can be damaged.
- Rings with rail setting for similar reasons.
- Rings with tin solder, because this makes the ring difficult to solder.
- (Partially) hollow rings, which weaken with changes in size and can cause cracks.
Below you see an image of a ring that cannot be resized due to the setting of the stones.
Other complications when custom-making rings
- Color differences in the alloy may be visible if the color of the alloy differs from the solder.
- Deviating gold concentrations can present additional challenges.
- The presence of coatings, such as gold plating or rhodium, can be lost during customization.
- Combined materials, such as rings of different metals, can have melting points that are difficult to combine.
- Composite rings, such as 3-in-1 rings, can be difficult to size due to their complex structure.
- Engravings or stamps can become illegible due to soldering or solder flow.
- Continuous patterns can be broken during tailoring, so that the pattern no longer flows.
For more information about custom-made rings, please contact us. We are ready to advise you on your ring or other piece of jewelry!
Remove the ring if home remedies don't work
There are various tricks to remove a stuck ring, such as using green soap or a piece of string. However, if the finger is swollen due to an accident, a medical condition, or a reaction to medication, these methods often do not work. In that case, the ring must be cut or sawn off to prevent damage to the finger.
Cut open the ring
- Advantage: fast and effective, especially in medical emergencies
- Disadvantage: the ring is flattened locally, which makes recovery more difficult.
In an emergency situation, a ring is usually cut with pliers. This is a quick solution, but the cutting pliers compress the ring around the cut point. When repairing, the flattened part must be replaced with new gold or silver.
Sawing open the ring
- Advantage: clean cut, easier to solder
- Disadvantage: requires a jeweler's saw, less suitable for emergency situations
If there is no immediate need, we advise having the ring sawn by a goldsmith or jeweler. We almost always do this free of charge. A special guard under the saw protects the finger, and after sawing, the ring is carefully bent open so that the finger is exposed. Thanks to the clean cut, the ring can be soldered neatly later. Enlarging is often also necessary because the ring was previously too tight.
Rest for the finger for at least 6 weeks
After removal, the skin at that spot is still indented. We recommend waiting at least 6 weeks before determining the correct size for a potential enlargement. This gives the finger time to recover.
Feel free to visit our store or contact us to discuss the possibilities!
Watches
Replace watch battery?
Yes, we replace watch batteries!
How much does it cost?
Replacing a standard watch battery costs €9.95 with us – regardless of the brand. So even a battery change for a Cartier doesn't have to cost €150! Only watches with a complex case clasp or multiple internal batteries might be slightly more expensive.
Can I wait for it?
In most cases yes, but this depends on:
- The number of watches you bring
- The way the battery is installed (many screws = more time)
- Potential crowds in the store
Waterproofing
Few watches are truly waterproof; usually, they are merely water-repellent. Some manufacturers require a watch to be sent to them for battery replacement to "guarantee water resistance," but if the watch is not waterproof to begin with, what is the point?
Upon request, we can test the watertightness under air pressure beforehand and/or afterwards (at an additional cost). Please note that this does not provide a 100% guarantee!
Feel free to visit our store or contact us to discuss the possibilities!
Please note: All repairs and any risks or complications are at the customer's expense.