Antique Jewellery Repairs In Devon

When you consider the amount of stress that an antique piece of jewellery may have been under during its' lifetime it is surprising that any still exists. The wear and tear of day to day use, and the ravages of time and the elements all have a bearing. So when you do have a piece that requires antique jewellery repairs in Devon you need to weigh up your choices. Do you opt for repair, restoration, or renovation?

Not all jewellers undertake antique jewellery repairs in Devon, not even the big high street chains. Certainly, they will take your piece and get it repaired, but they simply send to another jeweller who DOES do repairs and restoration.

To repair is to restore by replacing a missing part or putting together what is broken or torn. The emphasis is really on mending rather than returning a piece to its' original form, and a repair may be carried out with no great effort to match the original style or even to hide the repair.

Restoration is rather different because it often requires considerable research. It also involves the use of authentic period materials, tools, and techniques. In many respects it is similar to conservation because the aim is to preserve everything about the piece that is good, and repair or restore the parts that are broken or missing so that they blend seamlessly with the rest of the piece, recreating the surfaces and patinas so that the work done is hard to spot.

Renovation, also called rehabilitation, is the process of making something new from an old piece such as changing a tiara into brooches or necklaces, or altering earrings from wire backs to screw backs or posts. Renovation often results in a hefty reduction in value of the piece or pieces used.

Antique jewellery repairs in Devon often involve a combination of restoration and repair. The merits of the approach will depend on the age, current condition, and value of the piece together with any historical significance it may have, and the ultimate use to which it is to be put.