You probably know how upsetting it feels when a favorite piece breaks. Jewelry often means a lot. The good news? You can repair broken jewellery at home with some basic tools. Try simple fixes, stay safe, and always check your pieces. Sometimes, you will need a professional’s help.
Common Breakages and How to Fix Them
Tools Needed
Before you start, gather your tools. You do not need fancy equipment. Most repairs use simple items you can find online or at a craft store. Here is a list of tools and materials you may need to help you prepare:
Flat-nose pliers: Open and close jump rings, bend wire
Round-nose pliers: Make loops, shape wire
Wire cutters: Cut chain, wire, or elastic
Jump rings: Connect broken parts
Replacement clasps: Swap out broken clasps
Jewelry glue: Secure stones or beads
Soldering kit: Fix serious chain breaks (for adults)
Beading needle: Thread elastic bracelets
Elastic cord: Restring stretchy bracelets
Polishing cloth: Clean and shine your jewelry
Tip: Keep a small box for spare parts like clasps, jump rings, and beads. You never know when you will need them!
Broken Clasps
You probably notice broken clasps most often. A clasp keeps your necklace or bracelet secure. When it breaks, you cannot wear your jewelry. Sometimes, the spring inside the clasp stops working. Other times, the metal bends or snaps. You might see lobster clasps, spring rings, or barrel clasps fail. Keep a few spare clasps in your jewelry box. Swapping them out is quick and easy.
1. Use flat-nose pliers to open the jump ring attached to the broken clasp.
2. Remove the old clasp.
3. Slide a new clasp onto the jump ring.
4. Close the jump ring tightly with your pliers.
5. Check that the clasp opens and closes smoothly.
Note: Match the metal color and type for a seamless look.
Snapped Chains
Chains can snap if they get caught or pulled. Thin chains break more easily than thick ones. You may spot a tiny gap or a full break. Sometimes, only one link opens up. Other times, several links come apart.
1. Find the broken link.
2. If only one link is open, use pliers to close it.
3. For a full break, remove the damaged links.
4. Use a jump ring to reconnect the chain ends.
5. For a stronger fix, use a soldering kit (adults only). Heat the link and join the ends.
6. Let the chain cool before wearing.
Tip: Soldering gives a permanent fix, but glue can work for costume jewelry.
Loose Stones
Loose stones can fall out if prongs bend or wear down. You might notice a stone moving when you touch it. This problem happens with rings, earrings, and pendants. If you catch it early, you can save your stone.
1. Check if the prongs around the stone are bent.
2. Use pliers to gently push the prongs back over the stone.
3. For bezel settings, use a bezel roller to tighten the metal.
4. If the stone is glued, add a tiny drop of jewelry glue and let it dry.
Alert: Do not use too much force. You might scratch the stone.
Bent Rings
Rings bend if you squeeze them or hit them against something hard. A bent ring feels odd on your finger. It may not fit right anymore. Thin bands bend more easily than thick ones.
1. Slide the ring onto a ring mandrel or a thick marker.
2. Gently tap the bent area with a rubber mallet.
3. Turn the ring as you tap to even out the shape.
4. Remove the ring and check the fit.
Note: If the ring has stones, avoid hitting them.
Broken Earring Wires
Earring wires break from bending or pulling. Sometimes, the wire snaps near the hook. Other times, the loop that holds the charm opens up. You cannot wear your favorite earrings until you fix the wire.
1. Remove the broken wire with pliers.
2. Attach a new earring wire to the loop or hole.
3. Close the loop tightly.
4. Test the earring to make sure it hangs straight.
Broken Elastic Bracelets
Elastic bracelets stretch out or snap over time. You may see beads scatter everywhere. Old elastic gets weak and breaks easily. Kids’ bracelets and beaded styles break most often.
Gather all the beads.
1. Cut a new piece of elastic cord, a few inches longer than your wrist.
2. Thread the beads onto the cord using a beading needle.
3. Tie a secure knot and add a drop of jewelry glue for extra hold.
4. Trim the ends and hide the knot inside a bead.
Safety Tips
Work in a well-lit area.
Keep small parts away from young children and pets.
Use tools carefully to avoid pinching your fingers.
If you use a soldering kit, wear safety glasses and work with an adult.
Let glue and solder cool or dry fully before wearing your jewelry.
Never try to repair broken jewellery that is valuable, antique, or has sentimental stones unless you feel confident. You could cause more damage.
When to Get Professional Help
While many simple jewelry fixes—like replacing a jump ring or reattaching a clasp—can be done at home with basic tools, there are times when it’s best to leave the repair to a professional jeweler. Here’s when you should consider calling in the experts:
If the piece is valuable, sentimental, or antique, attempting a DIY repair might do more harm than good. Professionals have the experience and tools to handle delicate materials without causing further damage. Similarly, repairs that involve specialized skills, such as ring resizing, re-tipping prongs, or soldering fine chains, are best left to trained hands.
You should also seek help if the break occurs in a spot that’s hard to reach or risky to work on, especially when precision is crucial. And if you’re looking to redesign or repurpose a piece of jewelry—like turning a brooch into a pendant or combining loose beads into earrings—a jeweler can help bring your creative vision to life safely and beautifully.
That said, don’t toss out your broken jewelry! Often, scrap parts like chains, clasps, and stones can be saved and reused in future projects. A broken chain could become a charm bracelet, while orphaned beads might find new life as earrings or ring accents. Let your imagination guide you.
