What Repairs We Don’t Do – And Why That Matters

At Seattle Jewelry Repair, we pride ourselves on being honest, skilled, and specialized in the work we do. We’re passionate about quality craftsmanship and restoring your treasured pieces with care. But sometimes, just as important as what we do is what we don’t do.

We get a lot of questions about various services, and we want to be upfront about where we draw the line. It’s not because we don’t want to help—it’s because we want to make sure your jewelry gets the right help, even if that means referring you elsewhere.

Here are a few things we don’t do:

1. Watch Repairs

While we admire the artistry of timepieces, we don’t service or repair watches. Watch repair requires specialized tools, training, and often manufacturer-specific knowledge. If you need a battery change, movement repair, or band adjustment, we’ll happily recommend a trusted watch technician.

2. Plating In House (Gold, Rhodium, etc.)

We don’t offer plating services in house because of the specialized equipment involved. However, we work with an amazing plating company that does all of our plating right here in Seattle.

3. Casting or Custom Manufacturing

While we don’t cast in house due to safety concerns, we work with a local casting company. If you are looking for a custom or unique piece of jewelry- give us a call and we’ll help you figure out your dream design!

4. Stone Cutting or Re-Faceting

Stone cutting is an art all its own, and it’s not a service we provide in-house. If a stone in your jewelry is chipped or you’re looking to change its shape or cut, we can refer you to a certified lapidary who works with precision and care.

5. Costume Jewelry Repairs

We specialize in fine jewelry made with gold, silver, platinum, and precious stones. Costume jewelry is made from different materials that often don’t respond well to traditional repair techniques. If a costume piece is sentimental, we’re happy to take a look and offer advice, but repairs are often limited or not possible. Also, occasionally older pieces of jewelry are made with lead solder. While this does not compromise the safety of the wearer, during the heating process involved with some repairs this can become dangerous for the jeweler. If we suspect there is any lead in a piece, we can come up with alternative methods of repair, or will help you to figure out other options for your jewelry.

6. Appraisals

We do not provide formal jewelry appraisals for insurance or estate purposes. Appraising jewelry requires certification and an immense amount of research to determine accurate valuations. If you need an appraisal, we can point you toward a certified appraiser in your area.

Why We Keep It Focused

Simply put, we believe in doing what we know—and doing it exceptionally well. That’s how we ensure quality work, honest turnaround times, and results you can trust. If something falls outside our area of expertise, we’d rather send you to someone who can do it right the first time.

While we don't currently offer these services, we may decide to offer them in the future. So if you are unsure if your jewelry fits any of these categories, feel free to contact us and we’ll help you figure out the right solution. We're always happy to point you in the right direction to get the expertise you need, even if it isn't us doing the work.