With the growing demand created by the jewellery market for vintage and antique solitaire engagement rings, the jewellery repair market has experienced significant growth as well. In the past, antique solitaire engagement rings were often kept safely in jewellery boxes, a reminder of past generations that many people believed was far to precious to wear. These heirloom solitaire engagement rings were passed down generation to generation, rarely being taken out of their boxes for anything more than a retelling of the women who possessed it before. Today, however, more and more people are choosing to take these precious and valuable solitaire engagement rings out of hiding and use them for exactly what they were intended for……wearing. Before they can be worn, however, many antique solitaire engagement rings may need to undergo some level of repair.
One of the most common issues that gets addressed with vintage solitaire engagement rings is the setting of the stone itself. Prong set solitaire engagement rings, in particular, have a tendency to wear and loosen over time, increasing the risk of a loose or lost stone. One of the most important things a jeweller can do to repair antique solitaire engagement rings is to replace the prongs that hold the stone in place. Since the prongs of solitaire engagement rings are typically attached after the band has been made, replacing them is a fairly simple task.
Another thing a jeweller can do to help keep antique solitaire engagement rings looking their best is to refinish the ring to restore its original shine and lustre. With white gold solitaire engagement rings, this may be a matter of simply re-coating the ring in rhodium or a similar metal currently used to give white gold solitaire engagement rings their silver finish. For yellow gold solitaire engagement rings, this may be a matter of simply deep cleaning the ring and buffing out any imperfections, such as scratches or dents.
Jewellers can also easily resize antique solitaire engagement rings to ensure they are the perfect fit for the bride who will wear them next.
