We all have that favourite piece of jewelry that is our go-to piece. You know the one. Every time you put it on, you feel like a million bucks. One thing you might not think of is the need to maintain that precious piece. Just like anything else, jewelry must be maintained. With time, your favourite piece can get dirty, scratched, or broken, and require jewelry repair services.
Most of us only think about jewelry repair services when we’re having a big issue, but we shouldn’t wait until something is obviously broken. Regular maintenance can make a big difference in maintaining your favourite piece of jewelry. You may not notice a claw coming lose or light scuffing, but a professional will be able to evaluate your jewelry and suggest appropriate repairs that will keep it shining for years to come. Just imagine how much better it would be to catch and fix a lose claw, versus having to deal with a lost diamond or other gemstone.
Your jewelry maintenance schedule will be specific to you and your jewelry. Lots of little things can make a difference in how often you may need jewelry repair services. How often the piece is worn, the metals and gems that make up the overall design, and how you store the jewelry all make a difference in how it should be maintained. For example, if you only wear your favourite piece of jewelry once or twice a year and store it by itself in a jewelry pouch for the rest of the year, then it will not need yearly cleanings. On the other hand, if you have a diamond ring that is worn on a daily basis, it should be cleaned and inspected at least twice a year. If pearls are your go to jewelry, they should be taken for cleaning and re-stringing every couple of years, as their silk thread can deteriorate over time.
In addition to having a professional properly clean and maintain your jewelry, do your part to protect it from damage. For example, when not in use, store jewelry separate from other pieces in order to prevent scratches and damage.
During a routine cleaning, most jewelry repair services inspect the jewelry for signs of damage or areas of increased wear and can make recommendations on how to better extend the life of the piece. For example, if the technician finds scratching, lose settings, or bent prongs, they should tell you so you can make a plan together to maintain the piece.
It’s not unusual to make an effort to maintain something of value. You probably take your car in for regular maintenance, and take the time to maintain your home, so why not make a small effort to ensure your jewelry is maintained and kept in excellent condition? You’ll thank yourself in the long run.
A beautiful timepiece is an investment item, one that you want to properly care for so that it can continue to keep time meticulously for many years to come. However, as careful as we are with our mechanical watches, there are some very common mistakes many of us regularly make, which could end up shortening your watches’ life expectancy. Here are the top 4 mistakes people make when caring for their mechanical watches and what you can do to avoid them.
Incorrectly Storing Your Watch
Most people do not wear their watches ever day and one of the biggest mistakes that people make with their mechanical watches is incorrect storage. Heat, cold, and moisture are all natural enemies of the movement, dials, and gaskets inside your watch. Your watch should always be stored in a watch case, or in the box it came in, when it’s not being worn,not simply left on top of your dresser. As a best practice to avoid moisture build-up, you can also purchase silica packets to place inside the watch case. If you have noticed moisture build-up or the hands skipping,it is time for watch movement service, sooner rather than later.
Incorrectly Setting the Functions
If your mechanical watch has a date function, there are very specific times of day during which you can not set or change the date function. Referred to as the “danger zone” you should not change the date setting on your watch between 9 pm and 3 am, as the gears used to change the day have already begun to move and switching the date during that period can cause misalignment and broken parts.
Winding Your Watch While Wearing It
Just don’t. It may be tempting and convenient to simply wind your watch while it is on your wrist, however it can potentially cause some major complications. Winding your watch this way can lead to over winding, pulling the crown out too far or damaging the crown due to the incorrect angle. Always remove the watch before winding and stop once you feel the crown tighten, do not force it to go further. If you do have a broken or damaged crown, it can often be replaced by a horologist skilled in watch movement service.
Failing to Service Your Watch
Like the mechanical maintenance required on your car, your mechanical watch will require watch movement service every 2-3 years. Properly servicing your watch is the surest way to safeguard your investment. Failing to do so can significantly reduce the life expectancy of your timepiece.
Do you know watches are built to last long, and if you take care of your luxury mechanical watch properly, you can pass it to your next generation as well? Are you surprised to read this? But, this is true. Curious to know how you can ensure a long life for your watch? Here are some care tips for your watch.
Don’t Place Your Watch Close to Magnets
You should never keep your watch close to a magnet because keeping it close to the magnet can affect its timekeeping.
Know the Water Resistance Limit of Your Watch
The water resistance limits of all watches are not the same. Different watches have different water resistance limits. Therefore, you should first know the water resistance limit of your watch. If your watch’s water resistance limit is up to 50 meters, you should take it off before going for snorkeling. The watch will not be able to handle the pressure and may get damaged. If your watch is not water-resistant, protect it from splashes as well.
Take Care of the Crystal
Many people scratch or break the crystals of their expensive watches by banging them against a wall, table, or any other hard surface. You must be careful about it.
Keep Your Watch in Watch Box
Many people are accustomed to keeping their watches here and there. Sometimes, they keep their watch on the table, bed, or anywhere else, and they forget where they have kept the watch. Sometimes, they keep the watch on their bed, and their kids drop milk or pee on it. To avoid such a bad experience, you should make a place for your watch. You should mount your watch box at one place, and always keep your watch in the box after taking it off.
Protect it from Sunlight
Sunlight exposure can cause the watch to lose its shine and colour. Besides, heat can damage the battery and shorten its life. So, you must be careful about sun exposure to your watch.
Protect it from Chemical Exposure
You must protect your watch from chemical exposure because the exposure to chemical substances, such as cleaning supplies, cologne, perfume, and oils, can damage their leather bands.
Keep Your Watch Clean
Clean your watch with a soft cloth piece. Don’t be harsh at the watch while cleaning it, or the cleaning can result in scratches.
The above-mentioned tips are some common tips to take care of your watch. However, you must read your user manual because that will give you specific information about your specific watch. And when you notice any issues with your mechanical watch, bring your watch to us. We provide specialized watch repair services in Vancouver.
It’s no secret that fine jewelry is the gift of choice when celebrating a special moment or special someone in your life. Hours were spent searching for that unique piece and it holds a place of special significance in your life. If you have a jewelry item in need of care, whether it is a loose setting, a missing link, an item that needs cleaning, or perhaps an item in need of repurposing, quality jewelry repair in Vancouver can help bring the shine and brilliance back to your precious piece.
Claw Repair
Claw retipping is a very common jewelry repair, especially on wedding rings, but one that absolutely should not be ignored. If you find your setting is noticeably lose, your tips have worn down, or you have encountered prongs snagging your clothes, you should absolutely seek out professional jewelry repair in Vancouver before a loose prong becomes a lost diamond.
Clasp or Chain Repair
Often a broken piece of jewelry becomes a neglected piece of jewelry. Thankfully, with quality jewelry repair in Vancouver you can bring life back to these once beloved items. Clasps and chains, especially on delicate bracelets and necklaces, are notoriously fragile, but a skilled jeweller can restore these items to their former glory and you’ll never remember the day they were banished to the back of your jewelry box.
Diamond and Precious Gem Cleaning
If your favourite diamond or precious gem piece isn’t shinning quite as brightly as you remember, a quick trip to a skilled jeweller can restore the brilliance. While it is important to regularly clean and maintain your jewelry at home, especially those you wear often, a trip every so often to the jeweller for a professional cleaning is recommended to keep your precious stones and settings looking their best.
Resizing
Whether you have inherited an heirloom piece that doesn’t fit quite right, or you own a piece that no longer feels comfortable, a professional in jewelry repair in Vancouver can resize your piece to fit exactly as it should. This process is done with the utmost care and respect for the piece and you will never be able to tell were the resizing was done.
Repurposing
There are many reasons why you may want to have an existing item of jewelry repurposed. Whether the item has special meaning to you, or you are simply looking for a change, a jeweller can evaluate your piece and help you achieve exactly the look and design you are seeking.
It has been said that you can tell a lot about a person by the shoes they wear, and this expression is true of quality timepieces as well. In a generation of cheap, disposable fashion, investing in a quality watch is a trend that more people should get on board with. A great watch is like a beautiful piece of jewelry or a classic car, it will get more precious with time, and with trusted watch repair in Vancouver, your investment will last for generations to come. So, whether you have inherited a classic timepiece or are looking to purchase one, here are several reasons why everyone should own a quality watch.
It’s an Investment
There is a vast market for previously owned vintage and luxury watches, and if you keep your piece in pristine condition with proper maintenance and watch repair in Vancouver, your watch will not only retain its value, but will often increase in value with time.
It’s a Statement Piece
A quality watch is the perfect accessory, marrying the best of both form and functionality, without being overly showy. A beautiful, luxury watch adds just the right amount of visual interest to any outfit;it can both polish off a simple outfit or perfectly complement a tailored suit, while giving you a boost of confidence.
It’s Built to Last
High quality watches are expertly built to last by master watch makers, creating an heirloom you will be able to pass down through your family for generations, each generation adding to its unique story. Given the time, skill and precise expertise that went into making your unique timepiece, your maintenance and watch repair in Vancouver should also only be done through expert watch craftsmen.
It Celebrates a Special Moment in Your Life
There are a few moments in your life, or the life of a loved one, that warrant special commemoration – a graduation, a milestone birthday, a wedding, a promotion – are all special moments that deserve to be celebrated. Whether you are passing down an heirloom piece or purchasing one new, a high-quality timepiece is the perfect way to mark a special event that will be remembered forever.
Whatever your reason for investing in a quality timepiece, your luxury watch deserves to be taken care of by experts who will show it the care and attention it deserves, with quality watch repair in Vancouver.