Broken or Damaged Ring?
On rare occasions, a ring may be in need of repair; typically, damages to a ring are a straightforward fix, such as reshaping the band/setting or tightening of claws. Accidents can happen, but there's no need to panic.
In the majority of cases, your piece can be repaired and returned to you in as-new condition. A misconception is that metals and diamonds/gemstones are indestructible. However, this is a different story in reality.
Metals like gold or platinum can bend, warp, and scratch. Similarly, diamonds and gemstones are not exempt from wear and tear. While diamonds boast a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale, indicating high resistance to scratching, they are not impervious to breaking, especially with significant force, particularly on points.
ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE AND WEAR AND TEAR
Accidental damage results from sudden or unexpected incidents, while wear and tear accumulate over time. In many cases, accidental damage occurs in the first year of wear as the wearer adjusts to the new feeling of donning a piece of fine jewellery. Light dents, abrasions, and scratches fall under normal wear and tear for rings.
We recommend sending your Rings with Grace piece back for an annual service. During this service, our skilled jeweller will provide a deep clean and polish, checking all stones and settings to ensure they remain secure and unaffected by accidental damage and wear and tear. Your ring will be restored to its original beauty.
If any concerns arise regarding wear to the claws or settings, our goldsmiths will address them and provide guidance to prevent future issues. In cases of significant damage, our jeweller will assess the damage's nature and offer further information on the next steps.
MANUFACTURING FAULT
While uncommon, a manufacturing fault for a ring usually shows up within the first 6 months of wear. These faults arise during the production process and may include:
• Inadequate stone setting work - leading to claw breakage or catching on clothes.
• Porosity – either contaminated or poorly cast metal leading the metal to be porous with air bubbles - which makes it much weaker.
• Poor solder join - causing the band to unjoin/snap or certain components to come loose.
Such faults are typically identified during various stages of production and quality control checks. Should the ring require repair, a manufacturing fault can be easily identified and rectified. Faults of this nature are covered under the warranty of our Rings with Grace pieces.
CHIPPED DIAMONDS
Hardness pertains to scratch resistance, but a diamond, while durable, can chip with sufficient impact at the wrong angle. Fancy cuts (pear, marquise, princess, etc.) are more susceptible to damage due to their sharp corners. Chevron claws on the pointed tips can help prevent damage.
Whether you've had your diamond for one day or twenty years, it can still chip.
Most jewellery brands do not cover chipped, cracked, or lost stones under warranty, as this is an inherent aspect of wearing fine jewellery (not indicative of work quality).
This highlights the importance of having your rings insured. Many policies exclude coverage for chipped or lost stones, so carefully read your policy's fine print, especially regarding accidental damage to stones.
THE RING IS NOT SUITABLE FOR THE WEARER
This consideration is linked to an individual's unique lifestyle and how their ring's design accommodates it. Narrow and fine bands are much more popular now than they were 10-20 years ago. Clients often request 'as thin as possible' for their desired band width. While we adhere to specific band thickness parameters, it's crucial to factor in your lifestyle and daily exposure when selecting a ring. For instance, a hands-on mother or someone working in a labour-intensive industry might lean towards a slightly wider band. Ultimately, a daily-worn ring that doesn't suit the owner's lifestyle may be more prone to damage beyond normal wear and tear.
At Rings with Grace we love our dainty and delicate pieces but these need particular care when wearing and will advise on each piece to each client.
We will often also advise clients on the need for a spacer band to ensure your engagement ring and wedding band don't wear into each other which can cause issues with stones becoming loose.
WHAT TO DO IN THE CASE OF A BROKEN RING
IIn most cases, the ring can be easily fixed. Firstly, stop wearing your ring immediately. Then, bring your ring back to Rings with Grace. Our experienced jewellers will assess the damage, determine associated costs (if necessary), and outline the repair process. Contact our team via email or our website, and we will assist you in organizing an assessment. Items can be returned in person or via Royal Mail.
HOW TO PREVENT DAMAGE
While most of our pieces are designed for daily wear, it's essential to know that wearing fine jewellery, including engagement and wedding bands, 24/7 is not advisable. In general, it's best not to wear your ring when:
• The activity puts pressure between your hand and a hard surface (Lifting boxes, heavy bags etc)
• The activity carries any risk of knocking your ring eg. Gym/ Sport/ Playing with children or animals.
• You might struggle to retrieve your ring if it slips off your finger eg. swimming (Don't wear it in the sea!)
It is also advisable to remove your ring and store it in a safe place if you are suffering with swelling eg. due to excessive heat or pregnancy.
Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns and we will be happy to advise you.