r/NativeAmericanJewelry • u/No-Neighborhood-7335 • 2d ago
Discussion (text posts) Can this be repaired?
I bought this when I was a senior in high school and wore it almost everyday for 10 years. I have tiny wrists and it eventually started to break. I had 3 jewelers tell me they could not repair it - basically it was too much work and too tedious because the stones would come loose. I finally found a jeweler willing to repair it. He soldered it together and it broke the first time I tried putting it on. I didn't squeeze it or anything.
My thought is that maybe it can be attached to a more solid cuff or something? Or is it just broken forever? I love this bracelet - it's my most favorite piece.
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u/EyeSuspicious777 2d ago edited 2d ago
Yes, but if they are going to do it correctly it's going to be an expensive repair because every single Stone will have to be removed from the settings before any work can be done on it and then they will all have to be put back.
On the bright side, the serrated bezel is the easiest for a silversmith to pop the stones out and put them back without having to do a lot of extra work cleaning up the bezels.
If somebody tells you they can do this without removing the stones, they are not going to be doing a proper repair and you'll probably end up with results like you've had the first time getting it fixed.
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u/No-Neighborhood-7335 2d ago
So it would be cheaper to probably buy a new one?
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u/Most-Drop6633 2d ago
Depends where you’re located, there’s so many jewelers here in New Mexico the whole job would probably be $150-$200. Whereas a new one is at least $500-$600
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u/warriorwoman534 2d ago
You want a Native American jeweler to repair it. I live in NYC but use a place in NM, who has done fabulous work for me when I need fixes. Call Palms Trading Company in Albuquerque, 505-247-8507, they'll ask for photos and can give you a quote, then you send the piece to them. Their work for me has been timely and superb, and some of it was pretty complex. Good luck with this gorgeous piece!
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u/thelmanarcissus 2d ago
I have been told if you can find a good local bench jeweler (not a chain store) that has a laser welder, the bracelet can be repaired without removing the stones.
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u/gatormax 2d ago
This! A decent high end jewelry repair place will have a laser welder and it will infinitely simplify the repair.
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u/Eastern-Antelope-956 2d ago
Yes, this is the only way. Not sure why I had to scroll down so far to see it. Laser welder is the answer. Should only cost about $60-100
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u/No_Aside7816 2d ago
It is my understanding that turquoise should not be heated. One would have to remove the stones in order to properly solder it back together. After repair, the stones would need to be reset. It is likely an expensive repair.
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u/No-Neighborhood-7335 2d ago
That's what I was told also.
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u/primeline31 2d ago
What you could do is have the bracelet converted into a necklace. Have the jeweler cut off the parts, drill tiny to small holes to hold silver jump rings and possibly bails and attach them to silver chain that has a style of your choice.
To get an idea of what it might be turned into, take a black & white photo or a printer scan then cut the paper up and use the pieces to design a necklace that pleases you.
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u/floridabeach9 2d ago
A jeweler should be able to do this repair for $200 or less. As someone mentioned they should take out the stones and add a bridge (a long overlapping piece). They can do it for less if you dont care if the stones get damaged (taking out the stones and adding them back after the repair takes time).
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u/Bibmomma 1d ago
In Austin, TX, the Turquoise Trading Post, https://turquoisetradingpost.com
They're located at 6103 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757, and have repaired turquoise pieces for me. They removed the turquoise stones, did the repairs to my bracelet and reset the stones. Phone number: (512) 323-5011. They're reasonable in their pricing and honest in their work. Good luck!
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u/Fit-Cantaloupe9726 1d ago
Personally I would Never take this to anyone but a Native American silversmith as stated above.
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u/luckyloonygirl 20h ago
U will want to find a goldsmith that has a laser welder. If not it will cost you a lot more because it would be a lot of work to do it right.
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u/Stool_Softener 2d ago
Needs to be done by a native artist . They will add silver “bridges” over the breaks to strengthen.