Jewellery Repair in the Fraser Valley: What Can and Can't Be Fixed

Whether it’s an engagement ring that no longer slips on smoothly, a heirloom chain that snapped, or a family piece that has sat in your jewellery box for years, knowing what can, and can't be repaired can save you time, stress, and money.

At Lanka Jewels, our team of expert master goldsmiths and gemologists in Abbotsford and Mission helps clients across the Fraser Valley restore their most cherished treasures. Here is a practical guide to what can be seamlessly fixed, what requires specialized care, and what to do when a piece is beyond repair.

What CAN Be Fixed (And Fixed Quickly)

Most day-to-day jewellery issues stem from normal wear and tear. Fortunately, with an onsite goldsmith, standard repairs are straightforward and routine:

1. Ring Resizing (Sizing Up or Down)

• What’s fixable: Most solid gold, sterling silver, and platinum rings can easily be sized up or down by several sizes.

• How it works: A goldsmith carefully cuts the band, adds or removes metal, solders the seam, and polishes the ring so the join is invisible.

• Explore options: If you are looking to upgrade or pair your ring with a new band, explore our full Rings Collection.

2. Broken Chains and Clasps

• What’s fixable: Snapped gold or silver chains, lobster clasps, and bent jump rings.

• How it works: Delicate chain links are micro-soldered back together, and worn-out clasps are replaced with secure new fasteners to ensure your Necklaces and Bracelets stay safe.

  

  
  

3. Worn Prongs and Claw Retipping

• What’s fixable: Prongs that have thinned out, flattened, or snagged on clothing over time.

• Why it matters: Worn prongs are the #1 cause of lost diamonds and gemstones. Retipping adds fresh metal to securely hold your stone in place and we also retouch worn out bezel settings as well.

4. Dull, Scratched, or Yellowing White Gold

• What’s fixable: White gold that has lost its bright silvery shine or fine metal covered in surface scratches.

• How it works: Through professional buffing, refinishing, and rhodium plating, your fine jewellery is restored to a mirror-like showroom shine.

5. Rhodium Plating & Gold Plating

• What’s fixable: Faded silver, yellowing white gold, or silver pieces that need a fresh gold coat.

• How it works: We re-plate white gold and silver rings in bright rhodium to give them a mirror-like finish, protect against tarnish, and keep white metals bright. We also offer gold plating for silver jewellery to give worn silver pieces a rich, yellow-gold finish.

6. Thinning Ring Bands & Worn Shanks

• What’s fixable: Bands that have thinned out over years of friction against skin, counter surfaces, or adjacent rings.

• How it works: Depending on how thin the metal has worn down, our goldsmith can either build up the specific thin area with new gold/silver or replace the entire lower half of the band (re-shanking) to make it structural, durable, and strong again for decades to come.

What CAN'T Be Fixed (Or Requires Alternative Solutions)

While modern goldsmithing can accomplish incredible feats, certain materials and severe structural damage present physical limits:

1. Hollow or Sheet Metal Jewellery

• The challenge: Hollow gold chains, lightweight stamped earrings, or thin tubing contain air pockets inside. Heat from a soldering torch can melt or crush the thin walls, making structural repairs fragile or impossible.

2. Base Metals & Plated Costume Jewellery

• The challenge: Metals like brass, nickel, copper, or mystery alloy base metals cannot withstand standard jeweler’s torches or laser welding without discoloring, melting, or flaking off their surface plating.

3. Deeply Cracked or Fractured Gemstones

• The challenge: While metal can be melted and reshaped, a cracked diamond, emerald, or opal cannot be "glued" or fused back together without altering the stone's integrity and light reflection.

• The solution: Replacing the damaged stone with a fresh natural diamond, lab-grown stone, or colored gemstone.

What to Do When a Piece Can't Be Restored

If an heirloom piece is too worn to wear safely, you don't have to leave it hidden away in a box.

Through our Bespoke Custom Design Services in Abbotsford & Mission, our designers can melt down your original gold and reset your heirloom gemstones into a brand-new, modern piece designed just for you.

Restore Your Jewellery in the Fraser Valley Today

Don't let your favorite pieces sit unworn. Visit Lanka Jewels for a complimentary inspection and professional cleaning.

• Walk In Anytime: Visit our showrooms in Abbotsford or Mission, BC.

• Book an Appointment: Speak directly with our team about a specific repair or custom redesign.

• Explore Our Repair Services: Learn more about our Abbotsford Jewellery Repair Services and pricing estimates.