How long will it take to repair my jewellery?

Jewellery repair times range from same-day work for straightforward adjustments or cleaning to several weeks for complex restoration, bespoke alterations or repairs requiring specialist parts. After examining your piece, we will explain what is needed, identify any factors that may affect the schedule and confirm an expected completion date before work begins.

The condition, construction and materials of the jewellery usually determine the turnaround time. A simple ring clean, polish, claw check or minor adjustment may be completed quickly, subject to the availability of the workshop. Repairs involving precious stones, intricate settings, delicate antique components or significant damage require more careful assessment and handling.

Typical examples include:

• Cleaning and polishing: often completed promptly, although a piece with heavy wear, deep scratches or delicate details may need more extensive work.
• Ring resizing: usually takes longer than a basic clean because the band must be opened, altered, soldered or rebuilt, then carefully finished and checked.
• Claw, setting and stone repairs: timing depends on whether the existing setting can be repaired and whether a replacement stone or made-to-measure component is required.
• Chain, clasp and earring repairs: straightforward breaks may be dealt with relatively quickly, while unusual fittings or weakened surrounding links can extend the work.
• Remodelling and bespoke alterations: these can take several weeks because the design, materials and finish need to be agreed before the piece is made or substantially changed.
• Antique or heavily damaged jewellery: restoration may take longer where the original construction is fragile, components are worn or traditional techniques are needed.

Parts and materials can also affect the completion date. If a matching gemstone, unusual clasp, specialist chain, precious metal component or replacement movement has to be sourced, the repair cannot be completed until the correct part is available. Some pieces need to be sent to a specialist craftsman for work such as engraving, intricate stone setting or watch servicing. Any such requirement should be explained to you as part of the assessment.

Before accepting a repair, we inspect the piece and consider its overall condition rather than looking only at the visible damage. For example, replacing a loose stone without checking the surrounding setting could leave the jewellery vulnerable to further loss. Similarly, resizing a worn ring may require strengthening or rebuilding part of the band. Allowing time for these checks helps ensure that the repair addresses the underlying problem and is suitable for continued wear.

We will normally discuss the proposed work, estimated timescale and cost with you before proceeding. If the condition of the jewellery changes the original scope of work, or if an unexpected issue is found during repair, we will contact you before carrying out additional work. This is particularly important for valuable, antique or sentimental pieces where preserving the original structure may be preferable to a quicker cosmetic fix.

Completion dates can also be affected by the time needed for final inspection. Once the repair is finished, the piece should be checked for secure settings, sound joins, correct sizing, smooth edges and an appropriate finish. Jewellery that has been repaired, polished or set with stones must be handled carefully during these final checks. It is better to allow time for proper quality control than to return a piece before the work has been fully assessed.

If you have a particular deadline, tell us when you bring the jewellery in. We can advise whether the requested work is compatible with that date, although a rushed repair is not appropriate for every piece. Complex restoration, bespoke work and repairs involving valuable gemstones should not be shortened at the expense of structural strength or finish.

When your jewellery is ready, we can explain the work completed and any care advice relevant to the repair. If the item has been resized, remodelled or had a stone or setting replaced, following that advice can help protect the repair and identify any future maintenance needs early. For an accurate timeframe, the most reliable approach is to have the piece assessed in person, as photographs cannot always show worn settings, hidden damage or previous repairs.