Jewelry Repairs in Tampa: Everything You Need to Know About Common Fixes and How We Handle Them
At Everglow Jewelry in Tampa, we believe your favorite jewelry should be worn and loved—not hidden away because of damage or wear. That’s why we offer full-service jewelry repair for rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, watches, and more. Whether you need a quick fix or a full restoration, our expert jewelers are here to help bring your jewelry back to life.
Below, we’ve outlined the most common types of jewelry repair services we provide and the reasons you might need them.
Ring Resizing & Rebuilding
Your fingers change over time—weight changes, swelling, or even seasonality can affect fit. Ring sizing and prong retipping are two of the most common yet essential jewelry repair services, especially for well-loved rings that see daily wear. Ring sizing is the process of making a ring larger or smaller to ensure a comfortable, secure fit. To size a ring up, a jeweler will typically cut the band and insert a matching piece of metal, then solder it seamlessly and polish the area to make the sizing invisible. To size down, a small section is removed, the ends are soldered back together, and the ring is reshaped and polished. Proper sizing preserves the structural integrity of the ring and ensures it remains comfortable to wear without spinning or getting stuck. Along with sizing, retipping prongs is vital for securing the gemstones in your ring—especially diamonds. Over time, prongs can wear down from daily use, making stones more vulnerable to loosening or falling out. When this happens, a jeweler will rebuild the tips of the prongs by adding new metal, often using a laser or torch, to restore them to their original shape and height. In some cases, if the prongs are severely worn, they may be entirely rebuilt or replaced. This careful work ensures your gemstones are tightly held in place while maintaining the original appearance and balance of your ring. Whether it's adjusting the fit or protecting the stones, both of these services help preserve the beauty and longevity of your favorite jewelry pieces.
Chain & Clasp Repair
Chain and clasp repair is a common yet delicate jewelry service that restores functionality and wearability to necklaces and bracelets. Chains can break from accidental snags, daily wear, or weakened links, while clasps can become loose, bent, or stop functioning altogether. To repair a broken chain, a jeweler typically solders the broken ends back together using a fine torch or laser and a small amount of solder, ensuring a seamless, strong bond that matches the original design. In some cases, if multiple links are damaged or the chain is very fine, new links may be added or replaced to maintain strength and appearance. For clasp repairs, the jeweler can often fix or tighten the existing clasp, or replace it entirely with a new one—such as a lobster, spring ring, or magnetic clasp—based on the piece's design and the customer's preference. These small but crucial repairs not only restore the functionality of your jewelry but also ensure it remains secure and ready to wear every day.
Jewelry Polishing & Cleaning
Jewelry polishing and cleaning are essential services that restore the beauty and brilliance of your favorite pieces. Over time, everyday wear can dull metals and leave behind dirt, oils, and grime that hide a gem's sparkle. Professional jewelers begin with a deep clean using an ultrasonic cleaner, which uses high-frequency sound waves in a cleaning solution to dislodge debris from tiny crevices. Afterward, a steam cleaner blasts away any remaining residue and sanitizes the piece, leaving it fresh and radiant. For metal surfaces, polishing wheels and compounds are used to buff out fine scratches and bring back a mirror-like shine. For white gold jewelry, especially rings, an additional step called rhodium plating is often recommended. This involves submerging the piece in a rhodium solution and applying an electrical current to coat the metal, giving it a bright, white, tarnish-resistant finish that mimics the look of platinum. The result is a piece that looks brand new, whether it’s been worn daily or passed down through generations.
Stone Tightening & Replacement
Jewelry stone tightening and replacing missing melee diamonds (the small accent stones commonly found in engagement rings and other fine jewelry) is a delicate process that requires precision and expertise. When a stone becomes loose, a jeweler first inspects the setting—whether it's prongs, a bezel, or a channel—to determine how much wear or damage has occurred. To tighten a stone, the jeweler uses specialized tools to gently push the metal back into place, securing the gem without causing damage. If a melee diamond is missing, the jeweler carefully measures the opening to match the correct size and quality of replacement. The new diamond is then seated into the setting, and the metal is secured around it, often under magnification to ensure perfect placement. Finally, the piece is polished and cleaned to ensure it looks seamless and like new. Tightening or replacing stones helps protect your jewelry from further damage and ensures that each piece retains its original beauty and value.
Pearl & Bead Restringing
Pearl or bead restringing is an essential service for maintaining the beauty and integrity of necklaces or bracelets made with pearls or other beads. Over time, the silk or nylon thread holding the beads can become stretched, frayed, or weakened from regular wear, exposure to perfumes or moisture, and natural aging. Restringing involves carefully removing the old thread and re-threading the pearls, often with knots between each pearl to prevent rubbing and to protect them if the strand ever breaks. In addition to restringing, jewelers can also replace missing or chipped pearls, match and add additional pearls to lengthen a piece, or even redesign older strands into more modern styles. These services help preserve the elegance and sentimental value of your pearl jewelry, ensuring it remains a lasting and wearable heirloom.
Ring Removal & Cut-Off Services
When a ring becomes too tight to slide over the knuckle—whether due to swelling, injury, or gradual changes in finger size—a jeweler can safely cut it off using a specialized ring cutter. This process is quick, painless, and designed to prevent injury or further discomfort. The jeweler carefully positions the tool to avoid damaging the skin, then slices through the metal, typically making a single, clean cut. After the ring is removed, it can often be repaired, resized, and restored to its original beauty. Cutting off a ring is a common and safe solution that allows you to preserve a meaningful piece while addressing a potentially serious circulation issue.
Jewelry Appraisals
Jewelry appraisals are essential for determining the accurate value of your fine jewelry, especially for insurance, estate planning, or resale purposes. It's recommended to have your jewelry appraised every 1 to 3 years, as market values for precious metals and gemstones can fluctuate. At Everglow Jewelry, our in-house Registered Gemologist Appraiser provides detailed, professional appraisals that meet industry standards. During an appraisal, your jewelry is carefully examined using gemological tools to assess the authenticity, quality, and characteristics of the materials — including gemstone identification, carat weights, metal purity, craftsmanship, and condition. The item is also photographed, and all findings are documented in a formal appraisal report that reflects current market values. While an official appraisal isn't required to sell your gold or old jewelry, having one can often help you receive a better price by clearly identifying the value and unique features of your piece. Whether you're insuring a family heirloom or planning to sell, an up-to-date appraisal gives you confidence in your jewelry's true worth.
Watch Battery Replacement & Repairs
Watch battery replacement and repairs require precision and proper tools to ensure the watch is protected and continues to function accurately. At Everglow Jewelry, our skilled technicians begin by carefully opening the watch case using a case back opener or case knife, depending on the model. Using non-metal tweezers and protective gloves, the old battery is removed and replaced with a fresh, manufacturer-recommended one to avoid damage to delicate internal components. While the case is open, we also inspect the watch’s movement and seals. For watch bracelet sizing, specialized pin pushers or screwdrivers are used to add or remove links, ensuring a perfect fit without scratching the watch. We also offer crystal replacements for watches with scratched, cracked, or shattered glass — whether it’s mineral glass, acrylic, or sapphire crystal, we source and fit the appropriate replacement to restore clarity and protection. Whether you need a new battery, a resized band, crystal replacement, or a completely new watch movement, our expert care ensures your timepiece remains stylish, accurate, and functional.
Other Common Jewelry Repairs
Earring post and back replacements
Replacing missing or broken settings
Re-rhodium plating for white gold
Safety chain and hinge repair on lockets and bracelets
Laser welding for intricate vintage pieces
Full refurbishments for worn heirlooms
Why Choose Everglow Jewelry for Your Repairs?
We do all our work in-house in our Tampa studio, which means faster turnaround, better quality control, and personal service. Unlike big-box jewelers, we treat your piece with the attention it deserves—and we’re happy to walk you through the process.
Whether it’s a small fix or a full transformation, Everglow Jewelry is your trusted local jewelry repair expert. Walk in anytime or book a consultation to restore the pieces you love.
