Re-Tip Prongs and Beads
You want to be able to wear your find jewelry for all kinds of occasions, which is what it's for, after all. But that also means it's exposed to hazards and just general wear and tear over time that can cause damage to certain areas of a piece.
Whether you need the prongs on your engagement ring repaired or the beading on a family heirloom touched up, our experts have the right set of skills and the proper tools to get the job done. We'll return your piece to you looking like new, so you can again wear it the way it was meant to be worn.
Process Overflow
Re-tipping prongs and beads is a delicate process, especially because we don't want to do anything that will adversely impact another part of the piece. Many gemstones can be damaged by heat, which is why we use the best tools available to precisely direct a focused laser to only the specific area we're trying to repair.
- The first step in any re-tipping project is to clean and examine the entire piece to see if there is any additional damage that needs to be repaired.
- Once we know what we're working with, we'll solder a new bead of metal onto the worn surface of the old prong or bead to build it back up again. We'll also make sure all prongs are sitting securely against the gemstone like they should be.
- After the soldering is completed, we'll check all gemstones to make sure they're secure, and then we'll polish and refinish the piece.
Advanced Tools
In order to complete this type of highly technical and detailed work, we use only the best tools available. These include lasers that allow us to direct heat only onto the spots that need it without impacting any surrounding areas or features. This is especially important because re-tipping is carried out with the gemstones in place, and with this type of tool, we can avoid exposing them to the heat.
Why It's Important
Re-tipping may hardly seem to make a difference in the appearance of your ring or other piece of jewelry, but it's extremely important when it comes to the safety and security of your gemstones. Prongs especially serve several functions, including holding the stone securely and serving as a buffer to deflect impact.
This is why they get worn down, of course, and it's also why you need them. Many beads, while they may seem simply decorative, also serve similar purposes, and restoring them to their original condition is an excellent way to ensure that your fine jewelry looks its best for many years to come.
-
.jpg)
Danny and team were fantastic to work with! My (then) boyfriend and I visited their beautiful store about a year before we ended up coming back around to using them (there was a cross-country move, a new job, and of course an engagement in between). Their great customer service and reasonable prices always stood out in our minds. As did a men's band that was incredibly unique and unlike anything we had seen anywhere else. When it came time to work with Joseph's, I was in need of a custom platinum diamond band to fit around my engagement ring that we had found elsewhere, but it required something very custom to fit up against the intricate design. I also wanted it to match my engagement ring exactly. My (now) fiance' also still wanted the unique men's band he had seen at Joseph's. Both rings ultimately exceeded both of our expectations. The men's band was customized in width and type of material to create a perfect custom fit that he absolutely loves (and can play basketball while wearing) and is super durable. My band was made to fit exactly next to my engagement ring and was customized to resemble it so closely you would be certain they were purchased together. I was beyond impressed with Danny and team's work. It was flawless. My rings now lock together and my wedding band keeps my halo engagement ring from sliding from one side to the other. They also added scrolling to one side of the ring that is simply beautiful. And they added a custom engraving on the inside of each of our bands. He literally brought an idea in my head into existence, by hand. That is an amazing skill when you think about it. I so appreciated that Danny spent over an hour with me designing the rings and patiently showing me examples of what they could do. He provided such great service, and I did not feel rushed at all in making a decision. He also communicated with me promptly via email and coordinated shipping rings back and forth to me as we no longer lived in the Seattle area. I also loved working with all of the staff there; everyone was so helpful and friendly. We both get so many compliments on our rings and I would not hesitate to come back (which now literally means flying across the country!) to Joseph's Jewelry for any other jewelry selections and any custom work. They are the best in the business. You won't regret the experience!
