Most broken jewelry is not finished — it is just broken. A ring that no longer fits, a chain that snapped, a stone that feels loose: these are bench jobs, and a working jeweler can tell you in person what can be fixed and how. Here is what we commonly evaluate at Maxwell & Co. Jewelry in Leola, PA.
Ring sizing
Rings can usually be sized up or down so they fit the finger they are meant for. How far a ring can move depends on its metal, its width, and whether stones run around the band, which is why sizing starts with looking at the actual ring, not guessing from a photo.
Chain repair
A broken chain is one of the most common repairs we see. A snapped link or a failed clasp can often be soldered and made wearable again. Thin, hollow, or badly stretched chains need a closer look, because the honest answer depends on the condition of the chain itself.
Prong and stone work
Prongs wear down and bend over time, and that is how stones get loose — and lost. Worn or damaged prongs can be repaired or rebuilt to hold a stone securely again. If a stone already feels loose, stop wearing the piece until it has been checked, so a repair does not turn into a replacement.
Soldering
Soldering joins metal back together: broken shanks, joined rings, detached charms and pendants, and other breaks where the metal itself has come apart. Done at the bench, a good solder joint should be strong and clean, not a blob holding on by hope.
Start with an in-person look
The right first step for almost any repair is the same: bring the piece in and let a bench jeweler evaluate it in person. Some pieces are straightforward fixes. Some need more work than they are worth, and you deserve to hear that honestly before anything is done. Read more on our jewelry repair page, or bring your piece by the store.
Maxwell & Co. Jewelry, 6 Glenbrook Rd, Leola, PA 17540. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call (717) 475-8814.