Custom Design is appropriate when the exactly right piece of jewelry, to commemorate a special event in your life, cannot be found. Sometimes a person knows exactly what they want other times they just have a feeling. We are excited to work with our clients to develop a design that fits both the occasion and their lifestyle. We work with all precious metals and have resources world wide for the finest gemstones and diamonds. Once the design process is complete it moves to our workshop where our metalsmiths will finely handcraft your special piece of jewelry.

Remodeling

Remodeling starts with your old jewelry and new idea. When jewelry is out of style it can be transformed into something completely different and unique. This process is often used when family jewelry is inherited and outdated. The wonderful thing about precious metal and gemstones is they can always be reused and turned into something beautiful. Sometimes a full remodeling isn’t necessary and just adding a little metal, a few new colored gemstones or diamonds is all you need.

   
Full Remodel made from her mom and dad’s rings

   
Updated Remodel with family diamonds added to ring

Jewelry Restoration

Antique Restoration is not something just anyone can do. The process of rebuilding broken filigree or finding a perfect match to gemstones no longer available is not easy. We love it. The challenge of restoring beauties of the past is one of our many talents.

   
Before                                                          After


 

Gemstone & Diamond Repair & Replacement

Stone Repair/ Replacement is available for damaged or missing gemstones in a piece of jewelry. Most chipped or broken stones can be recut or repolished to restore their original brilliance. We work directly with stone cutters and dealers, therefore, if the stone cannot be salvaged it can be replaced.


The damaged stone on the left was the original from the antique restoration shown above. The two stones on the right were cut to match and fit the mounting to restore it’s original splendor.


 

Gemstone & Diamond Setting

Stone Setting is available on site by our master setter. Whether replacing a missing stone or adding new stones we do it all. 

Pearl & Bead Restringing

Pearl/Bead Restringing is done on site. Pearls can be color matched for add-a-pearl necklace and bracelets. Beaded necklaces can be taken apart and remodeled or simply restrung. 

Sterling Silver Service

Sterling Silver Service pieces such as coffee and tea servers, creamers and sugar bowls, and serving trays often show the use of wear and tear of many years.  Broken hinges, handles, and finials can be restored or replaced. We also offer silver polishing service. 

Appraisal Services 

 

Repairs & Restoration

 

 

Ring Sizing Head Replacement

Prong & Tip Repair    Bezel Replacement

Chain Repair     Clasp Replacement

Adjustable Shanks    Cracked Shanks

Gem & Diamond Setting   Diamond Replacement

Bails Gemstone Replacement

Earring Repair Tennis Bracelet Repair

Earring Conversion Cleaning and Polishing

Jump Rings Class Ring Sizing

Watch Batteries  Colored Stone Jewelry

Watch Pins (bands)    Gold Jewelry

Pin Stem Assembly    Platinum Jewelry

Safety Chains and Catches   Palladium Jewelry

Laser Welded Repair    Sterling Silver Jewelry    

Broken Thingys Cracked Doodley Bobs

Sizing bars/bumps    "U" Rings

 

 

*All repairs done on site by real humans

**Quotes cannot be given over the phone. All jewelry must be looked at by a goldsmith before an estimate is given.

*** We do not repair watches

• Stone Chart
  
• Healing properties of birthstones

  MAGICAL PROPERITIES AND HEALING POWERS OF BIRTHSTONES         Close Gemstones have been connected with the months of the year since the 1st century. The practice of wearing birthstones started in the 18th century in Poland, and is considered to bring luck to the wearer. Below is a list of today’s birthstones, their medicinal properties and healing powers. Garnet……The birthstone for the month of January is commonly found in a deep red, pomegranate color, which is where the name of the gem is derived from, however, it can be found in just about every color of the spectrum. In medieval times garnet was thought to cure depression, and protect against nightmares. It was also used in relieving diseases of the liver and stopping hemorrhages. Amethyst……The birthstone for the month of February is found in many shades of purple, from pale lavender to the deepest of violets. The name for this stone means “not drunken.” It is said to be worn as an amulet to induce a sober mind. Chinese medicine uses ground amethyst for stomach pains and bad dreams. Aquamarine……The birthstone for March has been given its name due to the resemblance of color to the sea it carries. It is said to reawaken the love of married couples and deem soldiers invincible. Known for ages as the sailor’s gem, it ensures safe passage across stormy seas. Aquamarine represents peace and promotes a gentle nature in the wearer. Diamond……The birthstone for April is known as the “king of gems.” The name is obtained from the Greek word adamas meaning invincible. This is the hardest mineral on Earth and has been adored for hundreds of years as the most beautiful. Its healing powers are vast. Diamond encourages self-confidence, independence and counteracts jealousy. It represents wisdom, and clarity, while offering protection, peace and power to the wearer. Emerald…...The birthstone for May should be carried by travelers. Its many healing powers include stability of vision, guarding against headaches and promoting mental growth. This gem should be worn by those of impaired balance. Emerald represents development and hope for the wearer. Alexandrite……This is the birthstone for the month of June. Alexandrite is one of the rarest stones on the planet and thus one of the most expensive. It has been said to be useful to the nervous system and with that has a positive effect on all the internal organs. This gem will also bring the wearer inner harmony, joy, and awareness. Ruby……The birthstone for July was called the “mother of all gemstones” by the Greeks, and a “flower among stones” by the Romans. Ruby is second in hardness only to diamond. Said to hold the power of sensual and spiritual love, resulting in what is said to be divine love while in crystal form. Ruby is useful in functions of the heart and circulation. It promotes good-luck in love, while encouraging sensitivity in relationships. Peridot……The birthstone for August is available in different shades of green, from olive green to granny smith apple. The largest deposit of peridot on the planet is located on the island of Zebirget in the Red Sea, although it is found in smaller deposits all over the world. Peridot was thought to disperse darkness and horrors of the night in the Middle Ages. It has been mined for more than 3500 years, but forgotten for many centuries, until about 1900 when it was rediscovered. Sapphire……The birthstone for September is a symbol of faith and chastity and has been thought to contribute to the color of the sky. Coming in all colors of the rainbow except red (which is ruby), sapphires were thought to have the power to kill all poisonous creatures, and at some point deemed holy. Bishops, popes and cardinals, still were them to this day. Sapphire is useful in the function of the thyroid gland, and is said to give the wearer willpower and strength to get better if ill. Opal……One of the birthstones for October is thought of differently depending on what side of the world you live on. While in Europe opal is considered unlucky, Asia views the opal as a symbol of hope, and the Greeks and Romans thought it held the beauty of all the gemstones combined. Opal has a beneficial effect on the psyche, healing a broken heart and restoring inner peace. It helps in regulating the functions of the stomach, heart and digestion. Tourmaline……October’s second birthstone comes in a number of varieties. Different colors and different healing properties make this an especially precious stone. Promoting detoxification, immune system functions, nervous system functions and the locomotor system are just a few of tourmalines many attributes. This gem is associated with wealth, friendship and love. Topaz……The birthstone for November comes in an assortment of hues and is often heat treated to get a selection of more popular colors. The name is derived from either the Arabic word topazos meaning found or the Indian word tapas meaning fire. Either way topaz has been associated stimulating metabolism and digestion, while promoting relaxation. The wearer will embark on a path of self-realization, and partake in all the joys of life. Zircon……One of the birthstones for December this gem has a wide array of healing powers. Problems with the gallbladder, the liver, bronchial issues, severe colds, abdominal cramps, and menstrual discomfort to name a few may all be alleviated by zircon. It is no wonder this gem symbolizes healing. The wearer will receive help in overcoming losses, and using common sense. Tanzanite……The second birthstone for December is heat treated to get its beautiful lavender to deep purple color, from the muted brown that it comes out of the ground as. Tanzanite is a calming stone. It is good if life becomes chaotic or extremely busy and one is starting to feel out of balance from that. Tanzanite will help to manifest desires through will and vision. It gives personal insight and power. Tanzanite is a good stone for protection.

• Metals

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  Precious metals are used in a variety of different industries including but not limited to, dentistry, pharmaceuticals, computers, and of course the art and jewelry world. The most popular precious metals for jewelry making are silver, gold, platinum, palladium and rhodium for plating. Although titanium has become more and more popular it is not considered a precious metal. More often than not, the metals are combined with different alloys to create a stronger substance. For instance gold will often be combined with more economical yet harder-wearing wearing metals like copper, nickel, silver and zinc to create a stronger substance. Although gold is adored for its beautiful luster and wearability it has also been long considered to be a powerful healer. Gold is used to fight feelings of depression, inferiority, and states of anger. It is said to be favorable for diseases of the nervous system, increasing circulation and treating blood disorders. Most recently biochemists have used gold to form compounds with proteins to create new lifesaving drugs. Current new gold compounds block virus duplicates in infected cells; this new information is now being tested for the treatment of AIDS. Below is a list of the different karats, and colors of gold that we use here at the Jewelry Mechanic: The percentage of gold to what the metal is alloyed with is as follows: 24 karat gold is 100% gold 22 karat gold is 91% gold 18 karat gold is 75% gold 14 karat gold is 58% gold 14 karat yellow gold 14 karat royal yellow gold 14 karat bright yellow gold 14 karat white gold 14 karat palladium white gold 14 karat pink gold 14 karat green gold 14 karat peach gold 18 karat yellow gold 18 karat royal yellow gold 18 karat white gold 18 karat palladium white 18 karat pink 18 karat green 18 karat peach 22 karat yellow 24 karat yellow Silver has long been used as a method of currency and exchange. Because of this, over periods of time silver has been more valued than gold. As it is an excellent conductor of heat and energy, it has found an important place in photography, batteries, and magnetic strips to name a few uses other than jewelry. As a healer it is said to benefit circulation, lungs, throat ailments, balancing of hormones, and chemicals all while improving nerve impulse transmission. As stated above it is an excellent conductor of energy, and when worn with the appropriate stones, (turquoise, agate, jet, and moonstone) it is thought to remove negative energy, and direct the positive energy of the mineral into the wearer. Silver takes on a higher shine than the other precious metals, unfortunately it tarnishes fairly quickly. Since is conducts heat so well, it has a lower melting point and is harder to work with than gold. It is affordable so it is normally the metal in which a beginning metalsmith will start with. The most common silver used in jewelry making is: Silver 800- An alloy of 80% Silver and 20% alloy used in casting because of its increased strength. Sterling- Sterling silver is 92.5% Silver and 7.25% Copper. Sterling Silver is popular for use in Jewelry because of its characteristics of light color, strength and malleability. Usually but not always, sterling silver is marked "Sterling," "925," "STR" or "SS." Platinum is the rarest of the precious metals, although it has not always been appreciated as that. It was thought back in the 1500’s to be a hindrance to the mining of gold. It wasn’t until the 1700’s with the rise of alchemy, and the use of it in potions that platinum came back into existence. Wizards thought they could turn the lead into gold. When they found that the metal could not be melted by fire or magic, King Louis XVI of France declared it the only metal fit for kings . It wasn’t until the late 1800’s or early 1900’s that a scientist by the name WH Wallason invented a powerful enough torch to make platinum malleable. Until then jewelry made from it was extremely scarce. Right around this time is when metalsmiths began setting diamonds in platinum rather than silver. With all of platinum’s healing properties it would appear that it is the strongest healer of all the metals. Its powers include, but are not limited to, reflecting negative energies back to their source, supporting the life force within the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies, and working on the endocrine system. Perhaps the most interesting power it has been thought to possess is the fact that in the 1970’s, platinum was used in the dye used in the x-rays of women’s breasts. Oddly enough breast lumps began shrinking and sometimes disappearing altogether after the use of the platinum dye. It has since been replaced with radioactive dye in x-rays. Platinum is its own metal and will be stamped plat, if it is not stamped, you can usually tell by the weight of the piece if it is actually platinum. Platinum is alloyed with ruthenium, and iridium, but in very small percentages.