The Ins and Outs of Sterling Silver Jewelry Repair

Is your sterling silver jewelry damaged and you’re looking for ways to fix it? Discover more about jewelry repair here.

Keyword(s): jewelry repair

Have you established your personal brand and curated a collection of exquisite jewelry that reflects your identity to the world?

Whether you’ve completed your collection or are still working on it, chances are you possess several sterling silver pieces due to their remarkable benefits. Though more durable than gold, silver clasps and chains can still break over time.

Here’s a brief guide on repairing sterling silver jewelry. It’s beneficial to know this in case one of your versatile silver necklaces suffers a mishap!

Jewelry Repair Using Hand Tools

The basic structure of men’s and women’s jewelry is similar, hence the repair methods remain the same for both.

Clasps are a frequent breakage point but are relatively easy to fix. Since a piece of jewelry isn’t useful if it can’t be worn, repairing clasps is a convenient skill to have.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• New clasps and additional jump rings (usually silver-plated)
• Two small flat-nosed pliers
• Good overhead lighting
• Hands-free magnifying glass (optional)

Start by locating the slit in the jump ring that connects the clasp to your jewelry. Grip one side of the slit with one pair of pliers, and the other side with the second pair.

Slowly rotate one hand forward and the other backward to widen the gap without pulling horizontally on the ring. This prevents difficulty in reshaping the ring and avoids snapping it.

Slide off the old clasp and replace any damaged jump rings, including the one you just opened.

Attach the new clasp to the open jump ring, then twist it closed. Ensure the jump rings are tightly closed and the new clasp is secure.

That’s it, you’re finished!

Jewelry Repair Using a Soldering Torch

When fixing broken chains, links, rings, settings, or charms, you will need a soldering torch. This process requires patience and practice, along with the following supplies:

• Pickle solution
• A soldering torch
• Hard silver solder
• A towel
• A small paintbrush
• Tweezers and/or small flat-nosed pliers
• Wire cutters or sharp scissors
• Heavy work gloves
• Eye protection
• Fire brick

An iron isn’t ideal here; a soldering torch is required instead.

Soldering irons are typically used to solder electrical wires with soft, tin- or lead-based solder. Since they only reach up to about 752°F, they can’t melt the hard silver solder (1640°F) used in jewelry repair.

Soldering torches, powered by butane, propane, or other clean fuels, can reach the necessary temperatures. Check out what a basic soldering kit for beginners includes here.

Always prioritize safety. Ensure your workspace is clean, properly ventilated, and free of flammable items. Use a heat-resistant surface like a tile to protect your work area. Wear heavy gloves and goggles to protect your hands and eyes from the torch’s heat.

1. Place your jewelry parts in pickle solution to remove grease or oil that could hinder soldering.
2. Take the jewelry out with tweezers and place the pieces on the fire brick.
3. Cut tiny pieces of solder and set them aside.
4. Apply flux to the soldering area with a small paintbrush.
5. Place the cut solder pieces between the silver parts to be joined using tweezers.
6. Heat the silver with the torch, avoiding direct contact with the solder. When the solder starts to melt and flow into the joint, remove the flame.
7. Pick up the hot jewelry piece with tweezers or pliers and quench it in water.

Removing Shallow Scratches in Your Silver Jewelry

Over time, tiny scratches may appear on your sterling silver jewelry, either due to repairs or normal use. While these scratches might not cause breakdowns, they can dull your jewelry’s shine.

You can eliminate these scratches using a microfiber cloth designed to buff and polish silver without harsh cleaning chemicals, which might damage protective coatings like rhodium.

Keeping Your Silver Jewelry Clean

All sterling silver items, including body jewelry and cutlery, will accumulate tarnish over time. Keeping your silver jewelry clean ensures it stays as dazzling as the day you got it. To help with this, check out our DIY jewelry cleaning guide that we have compiled for you.

Back to Your Collection

Now that you know how to handle any damage to your precious sterling silver jewelry, you can focus on defining your signature style with Roma.

If you want to add elegant sterling silver pieces to your collection and enjoy free shipping on U.S. orders over $50, explore our stunning range of silver necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and more!