Jewellery Restoration 101 - How Professionals Revitalize Your Rings, Heirlooms, & Valuable Pieces
Over time, jewellery can begin to show its age. From worn-down claws and loose stones to faded finishes and tarnished chains, everyday wear can take its toll. But with expert craftsmanship and the right restoration techniques, your jewellery can be brought back to life!.
At La Maison d’Or in Ottawa, jewellery restoration is more than a repair job, it’s a way to preserve memories, honour legacies, and give well-loved pieces the attention they deserve.
Here’s what you need to know about Jewellery restoration:
What Is Jewellery Rejuvenation?
Jewellery rejuvenation is the process of restoring your pieces to a safe, wearable, and often like-new condition. This could mean retipping claws, tightening loose stones, polishing out scratches, or reapplying rhodium plating to white gold pieces. In some cases, it may involve addressing more serious issues like metal fatigue, cracks, porosity, or missing components.
According to Tammy Mood, Jewellery Designer at La Maison d’Or, every piece tells a different story, and that’s why each restoration is approached with the individual care it deserves.
“We see all sorts of issues that can appear in your jewellery over the years,” says Tammy. “Our goldsmiths have all the right tricks up their sleeves to get your jewellery back into beautiful and wearable condition.”
Why Restoration Matters
One of the most common reasons people seek out jewellery restoration is the sentimental value tied to their pieces. Heirlooms passed down through generations, engagement rings worn for decades, or vintage treasures that haven’t been inspected in years are the usual suspects when it comes to items that often need rejuvenation the most.
In fact, Tammy notes that many pieces brought in for resizing or cleaning reveal underlying issues that need attention. Daily wear, combined with a lack of regular checkups, can result in a build-up of minor problems that eventually compromise both the look and safety of a piece.
What To Expect During the Restoration Process
When you bring a piece into La Maison d’Or for restoration, it begins with a detailed intake assessment. Every element (stones, claws, shape, metal, finish) is carefully examined and documented. You'll receive a clear, honest overview of what needs to be done, what’s most urgent, and what your options are.
“We’ll give you a full breakdown of the recommended work and the costs involved before anything starts,” Tammy explains. “It’s all about making sure you can make an informed decision that fits your needs and your budget.”
Restoration options can range from simple polish-and-plate services to more complex structural repairs or full redesigns. White gold rings, for example, often benefit from a fresh coat of rhodium every few years to restore their bright, silvery shine.
Repurposing and Reimagining
Sometimes, a piece is too worn or damaged to restore exactly as it was. In those cases, a custom design can offer a beautiful alternative. Using the original materials, like diamonds or gold, as the foundation, your jewellery can be redesigned to honour the original while giving it a fresh new life.
One example from La Maison D’or is of a client who brought in his father’s wedding band. The vintage engraving was barely visible, and the gold had worn down to less than half its original weight. Rather than try to stretch the metal or risk losing the design altogether, La Maison D’or recreated the band as it would have looked on his father’s wedding day. The original ring was hidden inside the new one, now protected and resting next to his son’s finger every day!.
When Restoration Isn’t Recommended
In some cases, the structure of a piece may be too compromised to restore safely. Gold, for instance, can become brittle over time, and stones can be scratched beyond the point of repolishing. But even then, all is not lost. At La Maison D’or, these challenges are seen as opportunities to reinvent and preserve the spirit of your jewellery in a new form.
From transforming an old pendant into a ring to creating multi-generational heirlooms that blend old and new design elements, the options are as creative as they are meaningful.
Ready to Give Your Jewellery a New Lease on Life?
Whether you're looking to restore a sentimental family heirloom, refresh your daily wear pieces, or reimagine something completely new, jewellery restoration is a thoughtful and rewarding investment. At La Maison d’Or, you’ll find experienced designers who care just as much about your piece as you do.
Visit our Ottawa showroom to book a consultation, and let us help you bring your treasured jewellery back to life! Click here for more information.