Jewelry Repair & Restoration
Repair and restore fine jewelry including rings, necklaces, and watches
Overview
Jewelry repair services charge $40-$500+ per repair depending on complexity and materials.
Completing 30-80 repairs weekly generates $120,000-$600,000 annually with 60-80% margins after materials and tools.
In 2025, consumers prefer repairing $500-$5,000+ jewelry over replacement.
Common services include ring sizing and resizing ($40-$150), prong retipping and stone setting ($80-$300), chain repair and soldering ($50-$200), clasp replacement ($40-$120), pearl restringing ($50-$200), jewelry cleaning and polishing ($30-$80), and restoration of heirloom pieces ($200-$1,000+).
Successful jewelry repair businesses develop metalworking skills (gold, silver, platinum), understand gemstone setting and handling, work with jewelers' loupes and microscopes, maintain professional liability insurance (valuable pieces), build relationships with jewelry stores and estate sale companies, and provide accurate time estimates.
Can operate storefront, work from home studio, or provide services to jewelry retailers.
Higher-end repairs (platinum, diamonds, antique pieces) more profitable.
Marketing through jewelry stores, estate sale companies, bridal shops, and local presence.
Many jewelers outsource repairs to specialists.
Required Skills
- Metalworking & Soldering
- Stone Setting
- Jewelry Design Knowledge
- Precision Work
- Gemstone Identification
- Customer Service
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High-value repairs with excellent margins
- Low overhead (can work from small space)
- Emotional value drives repair over replacement
- Can work with jewelry stores on contract basis
- Steady demand for ring sizing and common repairs
Cons
- Requires extensive training and practice
- High liability working with valuable pieces
- Need expensive specialized tools and equipment
- Some repairs too complex or not economical
- Seasonal patterns (busy around holidays, weddings)
How to Get Started
- Learn jewelry repair through courses or apprenticeship
- Invest in jeweler's bench, tools, and equipment
- Practice repairs on low-value pieces building skills
- Get business insurance and proper licensing
- Set pricing structure by repair type and materials
- Build relationships with jewelry stores for contract work
- Market through jewelers, bridal shops, and local presence
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