saving on jewelry for dress-up games

Mother's Day is coming up soon and if you want to really do something nice for your Mom, here's a suggestion that you probably haven't thought about: get her favorite rings examined for thinning shanks and get them repaired! In particular, if she regularly wears her wedding set, mother's ring, or another favorite, it's probably overdue for a little extra care. Here's what to look for and what can be done.

Why Thin Ring Shanks Are A Common Problem

All you have to do is take a look at the bottom of your Mom's rings and you'll probably notice that the shank, or band portion of the ring, is wearing thin. That's a normal occurrence over time as trace amounts of the metal wear off with everything that she does with her hands.

It can also be the result of poorly performed sizing if she ever had the ring refitted to a larger size over the years. Some places will offer cheap or free ring sizing, but all they do is stretch the existing metal out to make the ring larger. That thins the band. Eventually, the ring will break if a thicker shank isn't added to the piece.

If the band at the bottom of her wedding band, engagement ring, or other favorite ring looks worn down or thinner than the rest of the band, it's time to get it repaired before the metal actually breaks on the bottom and your Mom loses the ring.

How Ring Shanks Are Repaired And What To Examine

To repair it, the jeweler will probably cut away the worn out portion and build a new shank in matching gold or platinum. Don't worry if Mom's ring is white gold or some other exotic color of metal - the jeweler should be able to match it.

The new shank will be seamlessly welded onto the remainder of the ring. Some jewelers still use old-fashioned hand tools to weld the jewelry together, but some use modern laser welders. Either way, you can expect a professional result from a skilled craftsman. Here's what to look for when it's repaired:

• You shouldn't be able to tell where the new shank transitions into the older part of the ring.
• If there's detail on the side of the ring, like scrollwork or a pattern, it should be repaired or recreated wherever damaged or missing.
• The inside of the ring should be smooth and fit comfortably.
• There should be no difference in color or shine between the old metal and the new.
• Any stones should sit firmly in their prongs and there should be no signs of damage to the top of the ring.

Your mom's special jewelry deserves regular attention, and the care it gets now will help preserve it for decades and generations to come. Plus, getting her favorite rings repaired is a creative and thoughtful way to express your love this Mother's Day. For more information, contact a jewelry repair company.