From engagement rings and anniversary bands to heirlooms passed down for generations, every piece of jewelry carries emotion and meaning. When a ring feels loose, a clasp breaks, or your favorite bracelet loses its shine, it doesn’t mean the story is over — professional jewelry repair can restore, resize, and renew your treasured pieces so you can enjoy them for years to come.
Since 1985, Hendrickson’s Fine Jewelry has provided trusted, in-house jewelry repair throughout Boise, Meridian, Garden City, and the entire Treasure Valley. Known for craftsmanship, transparency, and care, our family-owned team combines technical precision with concierge-level service. This guide will help you understand what’s possible, what to expect, and how to maintain your restored jewelry for decades of sparkle.
Why Jewelry Repair Matters
Jewelry repair is about much more than fixing something broken. It preserves memories, protects your gemstones, and keeps each piece structurally sound. Routine maintenance can prevent loss or further wear, while professional restorations bring beloved heirlooms back to life.
Professional repair helps you:
- Protect your investment: Secure settings and proper ring fit minimize the risk of losing stones.
- Restore beauty: Professional polishing and refinishing renew brilliance you can’t achieve at home.
- Improve comfort: Resizing or reshaping bands ensures smooth, secure, daily wear.
- Preserve legacy: Restoration honors original design while strengthening delicate areas.
What’s Included in Professional Jewelry Repair
“Jewelry repair” covers a wide range of services—some preventative, some restorative, and some purely aesthetic. At Hendrickson’s Fine Jewelry, nearly every service is performed in-house for quality control, consistent results, and faster turnaround.
- Ring Resizing: Adjust up or down for a comfortable, secure fit.
- Prong Re-Tipping & Re-Building: Reinforce worn settings holding diamonds or gemstones.
- Stone Tightening & Replacement: Secure loose stones or source exact matches.
- Shank Reinforcement: Strengthen or replace thin, weakened bands.
- Chain & Clasp Repair: Solder breaks, fix kinks, and replace worn clasps.
- Soldering & Assembly: Attach charms or fuse ring sets seamlessly.
- Rhodium Plating: Refresh white gold’s mirror-bright finish.
- Pearl & Bead Restringing: Re-knot for secure, elegant drape.
- Laser Engraving: Personalize with names, dates, or special symbols.
- Cleaning & Polishing: Deep cleaning using ultrasonic and steam methods for professional shine.
(Source: Jewelers of America – Jewelry Repair)
Signs Your Jewelry Needs Attention
Early detection prevents major problems later. Bring your jewelry in for inspection if you notice any of the following:
- Rings that spin or no longer fit comfortably
- Worn or snagging prongs
- Rattling or off-center stones
- Yellowing on white gold or dull metal
- Misshapen bands or hairline cracks
- Clasps that don’t close properly
- Fraying silk or uneven spacing between pearls
The Hendrickson’s In-House Repair Process
Every repair at Hendrickson’s begins with conversation and care.
- Consultation & Inspection: We examine your piece under magnification, checking for wear, loose stones, or structural issues.
- Transparent Estimate: You receive a clear explanation of the work and timeline before we begin.
- In-House Craftsmanship: Our master goldsmiths complete all repairs on-site, ensuring quality control and security.
- Finishing & Quality Check: The piece is cleaned, polished, and inspected for strength, comfort, and sparkle.
- Pickup & Care Guidance: We walk you through the work performed and share expert tips for ongoing maintenance.
Restoring Heirlooms & Vintage Pieces
Heirloom restoration isn’t just about repair—it’s preservation of history. Each generation adds to the story, and expert restoration ensures that story continues.
Our restoration process may include:
- Re-tipping or rebuilding original prongs to secure stones without altering their design
- Reinforcing thin or cracked shanks on antique rings
- Refinishing to remove scratches while protecting hand engraving or filigree
- Matching vintage cuts—like Old Mine, European, or Transitional diamonds—to maintain period accuracy
- Replacing worn settings with complementary metals that preserve authenticity
- Using micro-torches and laser technology for controlled heat to protect delicate stones such as opals, emeralds, and turquoise
Restoration is equal parts science and artistry. Our goal is to strengthen the structure while respecting every millimeter of the original craftsmanship. A Victorian brooch, Art Deco ring, or mid-century pendant each receives specialized treatment to preserve its era’s distinctive look and feel.
Laser Engraving & Personalization
Engraving transforms jewelry into a one-of-a-kind keepsake. Because Hendrickson’s performs laser engraving in-house, every detail—names, dates, or custom symbols—is rendered with precision and clarity.
Common engraving ideas include:
- Initials, monograms, or special dates
- Coordinates of meaningful places
- Short phrases, names, or milestones
- Fingerprints, hand-drawn signatures, or custom artwork
Laser engraving is cleaner and more accurate than traditional methods, allowing for tiny text or curved surfaces like the inside of a wedding band. It’s the perfect finishing touch to commemorate life’s biggest moments.
Metals & Gemstones: What to Know Before Repair
Different metals require different repair approaches. Understanding the material composition of your jewelry helps ensure longevity and correct maintenance.
Gold (Yellow, White, Rose):
Durable and reliable for most repairs. White gold is typically rhodium-plated for brightness; expect to re-plate every year or two to maintain that crisp tone.
Platinum:
Denser and more malleable than gold, platinum can be reshaped and polished repeatedly. Its natural white hue develops a soft “patina” many collectors cherish.
Sterling Silver:
Prone to tarnish but easy to restore. Periodic polishing keeps silver pieces radiant.
Alternative Metals:
Tungsten, cobalt, and some titanium alloys can’t be resized; your jeweler can recommend alternatives like adding sizing beads or remaking the piece for a better fit.
Gemstones:
- Diamonds & Sapphires: Exceptionally hard, ideal for most repairs.
- Emeralds, Opals, Pearls, Tanzanites: Sensitive to heat and vibration; stones are often removed before repair to prevent damage.
- Birthstones & Color Gems: Vary in durability—professional jewelers know which methods and temperatures each stone can tolerate.
How to Identify Your Metal Type
If you’re unsure what your jewelry is made of, look for small hallmarks or stamps on the inner band or clasp:
- 10K / 14K / 18K / 24K — Gold purity marks
- PT / PLAT — Platinum
- 925 / Sterling — Silver
- Cobalt, Tungsten, Titanium — Alternative metals
Your jeweler can confirm metal composition with a simple test. This matters because different alloys respond differently to soldering, polishing, and cleaning solutions.
Caring for Your Jewelry After Repair
Professional restoration is only the beginning—proper care keeps your jewelry beautiful for years.
At-Home Care Tips:
- Clean gently using warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft toothbrush.
- Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive materials.
- Dry thoroughly before storing to prevent moisture-related tarnish.
- Never use ultrasonic cleaners on pearls, emeralds, or opals—they can fracture.
Lifestyle Habits:
- Remove jewelry before the gym, yard work, or cleaning to avoid scratches and chemical exposure.
- Take off rings when applying lotion or perfume.
- Have pieces checked after travel or seasonal temperature shifts—changes in humidity or air pressure can affect certain stones.
Storage & Insurance:
- Store each item separately in a lined jewelry box or fabric pouch to prevent scratches.
- For high-value items, update your appraisal every two to three years and verify that your insurance covers repairs or loss.
- Keep a digital photo inventory—this helps document each piece’s condition for future appraisals or service.
Why Boise Chooses Hendrickson’s Fine Jewelry
- In-house expertise since 1985: Serving Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, and beyond for over four decades.
- Community trust: Hundreds of five-star reviews highlight our precision and personal care.
- Comprehensive services under one roof: Resizing, restoration, engraving, and custom design—all performed locally.
- Personalized guidance: We explain every option clearly and treat every piece as if it were our own.
If you’re searching for “jewelry repair Boise,” “ring resizing Meridian,” or “Treasure Valley jewelry restoration,” Hendrickson’s Fine Jewelry is your trusted local resource for expert craftsmanship and heartfelt service.
Visit Us in Garden City
Hendrickson’s Fine Jewelry
5685 N Glenwood St, Garden City, ID 83714
Call or Text: (208) 853-1615
Website: hendricksonsjewelry.com
5685 N Glenwood St, Garden City, ID 83714
Call or Text: (208) 853-1615
Website: hendricksonsjewelry.com
Bring your jewelry in for a complimentary inspection or consultation. Our experienced goldsmiths will evaluate your piece, outline your options, and restore your jewelry with the care your story deserves.
Authoritative References
- Gemological Institute of America (GIA) – Tips for Caring for Jewelry
(Guidance from GIA experts on cleaning, storing, and protecting fine jewelry.) - Jewelers of America (JOA) – Jewelry Repair & Care
(Explains common repair services and how to maintain the structural integrity of your jewelry.) - Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group – Professional Jewelry Inspections: What You Need to Know
(Outlines how regular inspections prevent damage, loss, and premature wear.) - Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – Jewelry Guides (16 CFR Part 23)
(Official U.S. government standards for marketing, metal fineness, and gemstone disclosure.) - Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – Gemstone Care Guide
(Museum-backed recommendations for cleaning, handling, and storing gemstones safely.) - Hendrickson’s Fine Jewelry – Official Site
(Serving Boise, Meridian, Garden City, and the Treasure Valley since 1985. Trusted for in-house jewelry repair, resizing, and restoration performed by master craftsmen.)
