Bracelets are a popular adornment. 
Linked bracelets are a favorite staple in jewelry boxes. Often times, after years of enjoyment, a weak link wears out. When wearing the bracelet, body oils and dirt act as an abrasive, and over time will cut a chanel into the link’s hinge, which can cause it to fail. The Bracelet hopefuly will fall off in your hourse or car, and not in the grocery store!
Most times teh links can be rebuilt. Wen one link fails, the chances are that several links will need to be rebuilt. 
The second issue with links, is the clasp, whether hinged cuff or linked. The tongue can wear, and the closure becomes unsecure. The tongue can be rebuilt with little difficulty. Sometimes it is the box end of the clasp, the part where the tongue inserts into the bracelet. Also, the edges that hold the tongue, can wear down, losing its ability to retain the tongue in a locked position. The box can be rebuilt and returned to returned to a new condition. 
So, wear your bracelets, clean them with your kitchen liquid detergent using a soft brush, then rinse with warm water. And, if you suspect that you have a worn link, take your bracelet to a your local small  jeweler, and not a big box or chain store. Chances are, using your local jeweler for repairs will cost less!
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Clients often ask me this question: how do I clean my ring and jewelry?
So I will offer a couple of pointers.
First, if every prong is in good repair, and all your gemstones are tight, then it is safe to clean your ring! You dont want any stones to fall out.
For diamonds and other gemstones, NOT for Pearls:
Mix 1/2 tsp of vinegar, 1/2 tsp of ammonia and 1/2 tsp of dish detergent together. Then add the cleaning mixture to one quart of warm water. 
After you have mixed the cleaning and water solution, soak your jewelry in the solution for 30 minutes. After soaking, take a soft toothbrush and gently clean all surfaces. 
Your gemstones should be clean and brilliant after the soak and brushing. 
For Pearls:
To clean Pearls, use 1/2 tsp dish detergent in 1/2 quart warm water. NO ammonia or vinegar. Clean Pearls using a microfiber cloth, NOT a toothbrush. 

In general, it is recommended to have your jewelry cleaned by your Jeweler every 6 months or so. This allows for not just cleaning, but also for examination of the gold, assessment of  tightness of gemstone fittings, and review of the general condition of your  jewelry. At Michael Nutter Jeweler, there is NO CHARGE for cleaning and jewelry checks. 

When Making a Repair to your Jewelry, the experience of your personal jeweler matters. 
Most often, jewelry repairs require some soldering or welds. 
There are FOUR types of Solders:

• EASY- Low temperature, easy flow/ BAD for durability
• MEDIUM- Medium Temperature, about 1800 degrees, use near gemstones
• HARD- 1820 degrees which is close to the metal melt temperature, usually the best for Quality repairs
• Repair Hard- Very Very close to metal melt temperature. I use this only for ring sizings

If you take your jewelry to a “hands on “ jeweler, your jeweler will be familiar with the different types of solders and welds, and will make the appropriate choice for the repair. 

All too often, the Big Box stores or Mall Jewelers use inexpensive repairs using easy solder where hard solder should be used.  Have you ever wondered why your ring shank cracked, or why the tips on your prongs did not last long? Chances are easy solder was used. I see this frequently when jewelry is brought in for repairs. 

Ring Shank Repairs: 
Recently a diamond and sapphire ring came in for refurbishment. 
The client was unhappy with the ring shank, which had recently been repaired. The ring shank had cracked yet again. 
So I looked at the ring, and after inspecting it, noticed that the ring had been sized four times! The ring shank was thin and had lost the ability to remain in the round. 
I mentioned that an option is to replace a portion of the ring with new metal, basically a half ring shank. The client elected to have the existing shank resoldered. 

When I approach a repair like this one, the ring is thoroughly cleaned..... after cleaning I gently heat the ring up, to see where repairs have been made in the past. The Solder will gently discolor , indicating where the sizings or repairs have been made in the past. And, SURPRISE ...... the ring shank fell into the Jewelers Bench Tray!
The jeweler in the past used 14K or 10K Easy Solder. 
After removing the easy solder and thoroughly inspecting the other solder seams, I used 14K Hard Solder and reinstalled that portion of the shank. The repairs that I made were very solid, and will last a long time. 
However, this project was a very good candidate for 1/2 ring shank replacement, as it would have added strength and cleaned up the past mediocre repairs. 
But even so, I told my client, that in the future I would take care of any problems related to my repair, without additional charges. I stand behind my work. 

SIMPLICITY Wins almost every time.
The Simple but elegant Black Dress!
The infamous Betty Boop black slipon shoes and strapless dress.
A set of 8mm Akoya Pearl Earrings that can be worn as dress up, or compliment a casual day. 
The timeless Solitaire that features the Beauty of a Gemstone.
There are many variations of the Solitaire, from a basic thread of Gold with a Gemstone, to comtemporary twists and angles that can add interest and form, framing the Gemstone. 
Recent trends in jewelry styles emphasize MICRO PAVE. All of the MICRO PAVE and extra glitter can be very expensive to maintain, in the long run. How many of your friends have looked down at their micropave rings, only to notice that a diamond has fallen out! Replacing and tightening all those diamonds in the mounting can be very pricey. Make sure that when you do purchase micropave, that you are getting a well made, high quality piece. Compare what you would find at your custom Jeweler, to what you find at the big box and chain stores. I think that you will know the difference when you see it. 
Classic Design is Timeless. 
Sometimes Simplicity is Best .

Are Your Diamonds Chipped?

If a diamond has been chipped, or if the surface has been abraided, chances are IT CAN BE REPAIRED! The Diamond cutter can rebrut or reround the diamond, and can fashion the gemstone. This process adds the necessary facets to the diamond, that results in a brilliant Gemstone! WOW. 
Depending on the nature of the chip, the diamond cutter decides how much material needs to be reworked, usually less than 10% of the gem. But it depends on how much damage needs repair. 
When completed the repair is not obvious and the Diamond is returned to as new condition. 

If your gemstones are chipped give Michael a call.​

Do you wish your Rings looked new again?
Depending on the condition of your Ring, REFURBISHING is less expensive than purshasing a New Ring. 
What does REFUBISHING a Ring involve?
Your Ring is assessed for chipped, damaged or missing diamonds and gemstones. These diamonds and gemstones are replaced. 
All tips and beads on small diamonds and gemstones are REBUILT.
Bridgework undergallereys are checked for cracks and distressed areas, which is common if the technician had poor technique in sizing your Ring. 
Often during REFURBISHING the Ring shank is replaced, since during resizings the Ring shank can become thin, can crack, or feel  uncomfortable. 
If your Rings are missing diamonds or gemstones, is feeling like a poor fit or is uncomfortable then it is time for you to have your Rings checked. Your Jeweler is happy to make your Rings like new again!

Read More about Refurbishing rings:
https://www.gia.edu/quality-assurance-benchmark/technique-refinish-worn-platinum-jewelry

Does your RING need new PRONGS?
Does it need to have the TIPS built back up?

Do your RING PRONGS look like flat pads with no to little material over your Gemstone?
Has a RING PRONG broken or sheered off?
If this has happened, then it is time to have your RING tips RETIPPED.
A Jeweler is trained in the craft of RETIPPING and is skilled in this area. Taking your fine jewelry to a Jeweler will provide you with the best support for your RING. 
If your RING is in poor shape , or the tips have already been reworked, it might be best to have a new head or setting installed, and have the Gemstone reset.  Your Jeweler can help. 

A good RETIPPING job should restore the tips to a “Like New” look. The tips should be just over the Gemstone and higher than the worn tips, leaving a nice finished Bead on all of the tips.
​Only hard solder  should be used for a good quality and long lasting repair. All too often, I see the result of inexperienced technicians, who use “easy solder” as a short cut  in retipping repairs, which is not durable, does not last very long, and is very frustrating for the Jewelry Lover in the short term. Quality takes time and patience!
The Ring pictured above is Bezel Set.
Read More about Retipping Rings
https://www.dmia.net/what-is-retipping-a-ring-7-things-you-should-know/

How is a Custom Jeweler different than a Jewelry Store?
A Jeweler makes their inventory and sells DIRECTLY to the public.  Whereas a Jewelry Store , for example in a Big Box Store, or Chain Jewelry stores at the local shopping mall, purchase Jewelry from manufacturers and then resell it to the public. The pitfalls associated with buying from Big Box or Chain Jewelry stores are many.
I see this often when new clients bring their jewelry disappointments in to me, asking for help! What are the pitfalls?
First, the QUALITY is not up to my standard. Second, you will pay a higher price because of the middlemen involved and merchandise markup. Thirdly, your choice of Creative Innovative Jewelry is Limited. You might notice how jewelry at Big Box Stores and Chain Jewelry stores all looks the same, like cookie cutter jewelry. 
You owe it to yourself to seek out your Custom Jeweler for the jewelry that is right for you . 
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Autumn is here. It is a time to celebrate the seasons, the coolness of the evenings and the colorful changes in the landscape. 
Gemstones celebrate the seasons in a similar way. Bright, vibrant, sparkling and crisp! It’s time to let your jewelry take those autumn hues. Think about all those vibrant lustrous colors that can accent you this season. Literally, the sky is the limit. 

We all have pieces that we dont wear often. Sometimes our jewelry gets dated, or we just want something different.  Michael is great at giving your gemstones, settings and mountings a refreshed new look. Add a gemstone or two to your occasional piece, and WOW suddenly it’s your favorite jewelry. 
Michael loves to do that. Make you say WOW!

Colored gemstones are a favorite for Michael. Come in, let him chat with you about something new, something different, something exciting!
​And he always works in your budget. 

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