A jeweler makes adornments from metals, gemstones, and other materials. We trust them to create custom design pieces and other decorations that define use. We may be tempted to think their work is to design and make new pieces. However, jewelry repair earn a jewelry professional some extra income.

Let us look into the details of what a jeweler does and how you can earn the extra income as a jewelry professional. 

What Does a Jeweler Do?

The main job of jewelry professional is to design and make new pieces. It works with creativity, keenness, and precision. The exceptional work is what qualifies a professional to get the name designer. But there are many other tasks they perform. When your jewelry piece breaks, you take it to a jeweler for repair. The jeweler will fix the broken part or replace the missing piece. Below are the tasks a jeweler can perform during jewelry repairs. 

Chain Repair

Many jewelry pieces like necklaces, bracelets, anklets, waist chains, and some fragments of earrings have links. The links form a chain, which is a weak point. Chain breakage is widespread due to various reasons. Thus, a jeweler gets a lot of requests to repair jewelry chains. The problem is quick to fix as many times; all they need to do is attach and tighten the link chain. In a few cases, a jeweler may need to replace a piece of the broken chain. 

Clasp Replacement

Necklaces have clasps and hinges to hold the jewelry piece in place. Over time, the pins wear out. It may break or become loose. Sometimes the necklace can be pulled abruptly, making the clasp snap. Thus, you will need to have the clasp replaced. You can have a new clip of the same design or a different design. What the jeweler is keen about is to match the metal and the color of the necklace. 

Stone Replacement

Gemstone plays a vital part in any jewelry piece. It adds value and beauty to your ring or necklace. It also tells you about your personality and preference. In unfortunate cases, you might lose the stone when it gets loose or hit by an object. A jeweler can replace the stone in a few steps. You can replace it with a similar gemstone or a different one- that's your choice. 

Ring Resizing

When buying an engagement ring, you keep it a secret to make the surprise successful. That is why, in many cases, the engagement ring does not fit correctly. Although it serves the purpose, the ring will need resizing to include your fiancé’s finger. 

Ring resizing is one of the most common jewelry repairs. One single repair gets a jewelry professional the highest percentage of extra income. There are many reasons to get a ring resized. Besides an engagement ring, you may inherit a family heirloom that you want to rock. You may also add or lose weight, leading to the ring being too tight or loose. 

Ring Head and Setting Replacement

The ring head gives a ring its unique design. Also, it provides a base where the stone will rest. The ring head wears out, and it may need replacement. A jeweler earns some extra income when they perform this simple task. 

Prong Re-tipping and Replacement

Any genuine piece of jewelry with a gemstone has prongs to hold the stone in place.

Over time, the prongs can thin or become flat. This transformation makes the gemstone lose. You may lose the jewelry if you do not take quick action. 

A jeweler can fix this problem in a process called re-tipping. However, if the prongs are broken or completely worn out, they will replace the prongs. If more than four prongs need replacement, the process becomes expensive, and you might need a ring head replacement. 

Some rogue jewelers will only think of the income they get from the jewelry repair and not advise on the cheaper option. However, a good jeweler will advise you on the best approach to handle worn out prongs.

Ring Setting and Stone Tightening

If the prongs are still substantial; all a jeweler does is tighten the prongs to hold the stone. It is the cheapest process any jeweler can undertake. Since they know that you value your piece of jewelry, they cannot turn down the request to tighten your stone. Also, they do a ring set at a cost. 

Pearl Stringing

Every woman has a few pieces of pearl jewelry. They are the most delicate pieces anyone can have. Pearls are held together with a string of silk through a process called pearl stringing. All jewelers have pearl stringing skills. Thus, they apply their knowledge when you need jewelry repair services for your pearl pieces. 

Other Tasks that Earns a Jewelry Professional an Extra Income

Besides the jewelry repairs, there are other activities that a jeweler can do to earn some extra income. Here are the specific services you will get at a jewelry shop.

Polishing and Cleaning

It is advisable to take your jewelry for cleaning and polishing once per year. Jewelers know the chemicals that can eat up a jewelry's metal and stone. Thus, they perform a thorough cleaning without ruining your jewelry piece. 

Jewelry Appraisal

Every once in a while, people seek to know the value of their jewelry pieces for various reasons. The first person that gets into their mind to do a jewelry appraisal is the local jeweler. Although it is not a commonly sought service, it receives the jeweler some extra income. Some professionals specify in Jewelry appraisal and perform other tasks as side jobs.

Refashion Old Jewelry

Do you need to give your grandma's necklace a new look? Your jeweler is more than willing to perform the task. This service allows them to play with their creativity. They come up with an incredible piece from your old piece of jewelry. 

Is Jewelry repair Profitable?

Jewelry repair on its own is not very profitable. However, it makes an excellent side hustle for a jeweler as they earn something extra besides their salary and commission. Any wise jeweler offers repair services. 

Conclusion

Jewelry repair is a profitable task any jeweler can perform; It takes a shorter time than designing a new jewelry piece from scratch. The jewelry profession takes the repairs as a side job to give them extra income from the annual salary.