Common Jewelry Repairs & How Much They Cost in 2025: Your Guide to a Sparkling Comeback

We've all been there: that sinking feeling when you notice a prong on your favorite diamond ring is looking a little... wobbly. Or the heartbreak when your delicate necklace chain decides to give up the ghost in the middle of a dinner party. Before you panic and imagine your jewelry box is headed for the landfill, take a deep breath! At Robinson's Jewelers, we see these little tragedies every day, and the good news is that nearly all of them have a happy—and often surprisingly affordable—ending. Think of jewelry repairs not as a burden, but as essential spa days for your beloved pieces. They're a normal part of the lifecycle of fine jewelry that gets worn and loved. So, let's demystify the most common fixes and their 2025 price tags, so you can get your sparkle back without any financial surprises.

We'll be real with you—every repair is as unique as the piece itself. The final cost depends on the metal (is it 14k yellow gold or platinum?), the complexity of the design (a simple solitaire vs. a detailed Charles Krypell masterpiece), and the stones involved. The estimates we're sharing are ballpark figures for standard work on common jewelry, giving you a clear starting point for your repair journey. Remember, a professional estimate from our master jewelers is always the final word, but this guide will help you understand what's what.

1. Ring Resizing: When Your Finger Has Other Plans

This is the champion of jewelry repairs. Whether it's an heirloom that doesn't quite fit, seasonal finger swelling, or you're simply ready to wear that stunning engagement ring on the other hand, resizing is a common fix. Making a ring smaller is generally more straightforward (and less expensive) than making it larger, which requires adding metal.

• Simple Sizing (Up or Down 1-2 Sizes): $50 - $150. This covers cutting the band, adding or removing a section of metal, and soldering it back together seamlessly.
• Complex Sizing (Multiple Sizes, Rings with Channel-Set Stones or Pave): $150 - $400+. Resizing a eternity band or a ring with stones all around the band is a delicate operation to avoid damaging the setting.

Pro Tip: If your gorgeous new Fana Bridal ring feels a bit tight in summer humidity, try this trick before rushing to resize: get it professionally cleaned. A buildup of lotion, soap, and everyday grime can make a ring feel a full size smaller!

2. Prong Retipping & Stone Tightening: Securing Your Sparkle

Prongs are the tiny metal claws that hold your gemstones in place. Over years of wear, they can wear down to little nubs, putting your precious stone at serious risk of falling out. Retipping rebuilds those worn prongs, while tightening secures a stone that has become loose in its setting. This is non-negotiable maintenance for any important ring.

• Retipping a Single Worn Prong: $35 - $75 per prong.
• Checking and Tightening All Stones in a Multi-Stone Ring: $45 - $120. This is a fantastic service to add to your annual jewelry check-up.
• Complete Re-tipping of a Four-Prong Solitaire Setting: $150 - $300.

If you hear a faint "click" when you tap your ring, or you can feel a stone rock in its setting, it's time for a visit! Don't wait until you're performing a frantic "gemstone scan" of your car floorboards.

3. Chain Repair: Mending the Links of Love

A broken chain can feel like a severed connection, especially if it's a sentimental pendant necklace. The repair complexity depends entirely on the chain style. A simple cable chain is much easier to fix than a delicate herringbone chain or a bold Cuban link chain.

• Soldering a Simple Broken Link on a Standard Chain: $25 - $65.
• Repairing a Snapped Herringbone or Rope Chain: $75 - $200+. These chains often require specialized work to restore their seamless flow.
• Replacing a Broken Clasp: $30 - $150+. A new lobster clasp is on the lower end, while replacing a specialty safety clasp or a branded clasp from a house like Cartier will cost more.

4. Ring Shank Repair & Rebuilding: For the Hard-Knock Life

The shank is the band of the ring that encircles your finger. Thinning, cracking, or complete breaks usually happen due to years of wear and pressure. This is a very common repair for well-loved wedding bands and men's rings that take a daily beating.

• Soldering a Clean Break: $75 - $175.
• Rebuilding a Severely Thinned or Worn-Through Shank (Re-shanking): $200 - $500+. This involves cutting out the damaged section and soldering in a new piece of metal, then refinishing the ring to look like new.
• Adding Interior Guard or Reinforcement: $100 - $250. A great preventative option for active folks who want to protect their band from further wear.

5. Earring Repair: Because Lost Backs Are a National Epidemic

From lost friction backs to bent posts and loose stud earrings, our earrings work hard. The most common plea we hear? "Can you just give me a new back?" (The answer is yes, and we have jars of them!).

• Replacing Lost Earring Backs (Pair): $5 - $20. A true bargain for peace of mind!
• Re-tipping or Repairing a Bent Earring Post: $25 - $60 per earring.
• Soldering a Jump Ring or Reattaching a Dangle: $35 - $80.
• Converting Pierced Earrings to Clip-Ons (or Vice Versa): $75 - $200 per pair, depending on design.

6. Professional Ultrasonic Cleaning & Inspection: The Best $35 You'll Ever Spend

This isn't just a cleaning—it's a wellness exam for your jewelry! For about $25-$50, we give your pieces a luxurious bath in our ultrasonic cleaner, which uses sound waves to blast away grime your toothbrush can't touch. More importantly, our jeweler will inspect every prong, link, and clasp under magnification before cleaning it. This proactive step can identify loose stones or weak chains, potentially saving you from a major loss and a more expensive repair down the line. Consider it a twice-a-year tune-up.

When to Repair vs. When to Replace: A Heart-to-Heart

This is the emotional part of the job. As a general rule, if a piece has high sentimental or monetary value, repair is almost always the way to go. The craftsmanship in a fine piece from Oscar Heyman or Bvlgari is worth preserving. However, if the cost of a complete restoration approaches or exceeds the value of a basic fashion piece, it might be time to retire it gracefully and explore something new from our vast collection. We'll always give you an honest assessment.

Your Sparkle, Restored

So, the next time your jewelry has a "wardrobe malfunction," don't despair. Bring your treasured pieces to the experts at Robinson's Jewelers. With transparent pricing and masterful craftsmanship, we'll have your favorites looking and feeling fabulous again, ready for another lifetime of memories. Because the stories your jewelry holds are priceless—keeping them safe and sound should be straightforward and stress-free.