Heirloom jewelry is more than just a piece of jewelry or an old watch
When it comes to family heirlooms, we tend to put a ton of pressure on ourselves in keeping heirlooms in tip-top shape.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a watch that your granddaddy wore in “Dubbuh-yuh-dubbuh-yuh-two” or a precious ring your great granny used to sport, it’s important to keep these cherished possessions functioning fully and showcase quality.
Taking care of heirloom watches and jewelry is a great way to show some respect to your ancestors, after all.
My Jewelry Repair: Jewelry and Watch Repair and Refurbish Royalty
My Jewelry Repair can refurbish the heirlooms that get passed down to you, but we can also provide the routine maintenance for those watches and jewelry pieces that are destined to become future heirlooms.
We have an easy online, mail-in process and our customers trust us so much that they come back for repeat services whenever any of their precious watches, necklaces, bracelets, rings, pendants, and most other jewelry pieces lose their luster or are in need of routine maintenance or repair.
Why Get Routine Maintenance?
Watches are intricate pieces of machinery that need special attention. The bezel, the crystal, the watch case, the dial — these are all areas of the watch that can experience wear and tear, not to mention become damaged or break.
Watches take a lot of environmental and situational abuse, and so do rings, bracelets, and other pieces of jewelry that My Jewelry Repair specializes in repairing or refurbishing.
Instead of just going out and buying a new piece of jewelry or a new watch, why not make that family heirloom shine once again?
Our Easy, Breezy, Mail-In Process
My Jewelry Repair: We’ve been contactless before it was such a popular thing. Yet, not even germs can get into our Fort Knox-level secure facilities located on the East and West coast for your convenience. Our facilities are safe, clean, and our certified watchmakers and master jewelers are highly trained and specialize in a number of watch and jewelry brands and styles.
Contact us today and let’s get started on your current or future heirloom jewelry or watch repair!
Repairing Your Family Stones in Time for the Holidays
In the popular holiday film, The Family Stone, one of the main characters, Everett (played by Dermot Mulroney) brings his girlfriend Meredith (played by the comedic Sarah Jessica Parker) home for the holidays in hopes that his mother will finally release the family stone to him — he wants to propose! If you’ve seen the film, then you know that his tough mother (played by Diane Keaton) initially refuses, hissing: “I’m not going to give my ring to that woman.”
The point being: Our family stones are priceless, and to be guarded and protected (preserved) at all costs. If you don’t have a Diane Keaton protecting your family stones, you should think about preserving your own family stones in time for the holidays, as stones and heritage jewelry pieces are an important part of passing on your family’s unique history.
What Is a Family Heirloom?
An heirloom is simply a piece of property handed down from one generation to another. It might be your grandmother’s pearl necklace or your great-aunt’s jeweled ruby pin or your great-great-grandmother’s diamond wedding ring set.
3 Simple Steps to Refurbish Your Heritage Jewelry
Have you ever re-upholstered a favorite chair or re-stained an old piece of woodwork in your home? Repurposing and upcycling has never been more popular in American culture. Vintage is in. So, what about those family diamonds? Those family stones that mean so much to your family? How do you preserve those?
Most jewelry can be repaired — from necklaces to bracelets to rings. A master jeweler and craftsman can, and should, do everything possibly to preserve the originality (the look, the stones, the style) of the heritage piece you own. Quality craftsmanship includes remembering that this jewelry piece has special value to the client and should not be altered beyond what is necessary for the repair and preservation of that piece.
There are three simple steps to refurbishing any piece of heritage jewelry:
Step 1: Buffing and Polishing the Metal
Heritage jewelry (just like furniture) can be refurbished. In other words: buffed and polished. This process will remove minor scratches and any wear and tear that has naturally occurred over decades and, in some cases, centuries of use.
Step 2: Family Stone Cleaning
If your heirloom jewelry has any stones — diamonds, rubies, emeralds, etc. — those stones can be cleaned. This is a process that removes any dirt, oils, lotions, etc. that have built up over the life of the piece so that your piece comes out looking sparkling and new (yet still vintage) again.
Step 3: Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning works for carpets, and it works for jewelry too. The third step in bringing your vintage jewelry back to life is steam cleaning. This process removes any dirt and grime that should not be there, so that your piece can sparkle and shine again.
Step 4: Plating
And finally, the refurbishing process for your heritage piece will include plating. Plating can be done for all types of metal — from sterling silver to white gold to brass plated with gold or silver. Think of this process as simply giving your heritage jewelry a new coat of paint. In the same way that we freshen up old furniture or walls with fresh paint, we can recoat our legacy jewelry with new alloys and metals to approximate the look and feel of the original. Then, you can take your vintage jewelry out for the holidays and enjoy the memories they evoke.
Is It Time to Bring Your Jewelry Back to Life?
At the end of the movie, The Family Stone, we see the daughter, Amy (played by Rachel McAdams), wearing her mother’s rather large rectangular green onyx ring; it is a way for her mother’s legacy to live on, through her. While we cannot bring our family members back to us, we can remember them and preserve their memory by bringing their jewelry back to life.
If your heritage jewelry pieces are in need of a refresh or a repair, check out myjewelryrepair.com. Our skilled team of experts can repair, clean, adapt or adjust jewelry of all kinds.
The Gift of Time: 4 Things for Fathers to Consider When Choosing an Heirloom Piece for Their Sons
In an increasingly disposable and disconnected world, how can a father choose a gift that will last? Watches are a timeless and fitting gift. A watch is worn daily, a frequent reminder of both the father who gave the gift and the legacy of time spent with him. A well-chosen watch can become an heirloom piece to pass down through the generations.
For a watch to be truly timeless, it must meet certain requirements. Here are four considerations that fathers can keep in mind when looking for a watch. This will guarantee that their gift is truly an investment in family and in the future.
1. Quality
It goes without saying that for an object to truly become an heirloom, it has to have the quality to back up the sentiment. No one wants to pass along an object that is cracked, broken or cheap. Consider the purchase of an heirloom watch as an investment, not a splurge. This may involve a mental shift, but it is an important one. An investment signifies intentionality and longevity. Consider that if you, your son and your grandson all wear the same watch, not only does the sentimental value compound, but the investment is spread out over many years.
To achieve the quality needed for a watch to truly be an heirloom piece, consider a handcrafted, well-made watch designed to last (brand names such as Rolex, Breitling, Omega and Tag Heuer, to name a few). Treat the watch the way you would any other important investment — with care, filing paperwork properly and choosing a trustworthy and reputable place to maintain it, such as My Jewelry Repair.
2. Style
There are many components to consider when choosing a watch as an heirloom piece. Is the intention that it be worn daily or only on special occasions? Special-occasion watches favor a slimmer silhouette and may display more formal finishes over practical features. The type of material is also an important choice — and not just aesthetically! If men in your family are prone to sensitive skin, titanium is hypoallergenic and a good choice. Gold is a traditional, timeless choice. Recently, ceramic watches are increasing in popularity due to their scratch-proof nature. Since an heirloom piece is intended to reflect the giver, don’t be afraid to choose a watch that reflects your personality, even if in a subtle way.
3. Functions and Features
An heirloom watch should be both beautiful and functional, reflecting the lifestyle of the wearer. While many watches are water resistant, if you or your son is a professional diver, it is essential to choose a watch specifically designed for that purpose. Give some thought to the features you would like your watch to have. Some watches have multiple time zones on display, some have visible mechanisms and others have perpetual calendars. Many luxury watches are mechanical in nature, offering a smooth, silent and reliable way of measuring time. This requires an intricate mechanism, but they can last for decades or more.
4. The Big Moment
Special attention to the watch is, of course, critical, but the big moment of giving the watch should also be memorable. Don’t forget to plan for this! Some families give watches to mark a special occasion — a graduation from college, the birth of the first child, a wedding. Since you are potentially kicking off a new tradition that will last for generations, put some thought into making the moment special. Consider including some engraving on the watch as well as speaking some choice words in order to make both the watch and the occasion truly memorable.
If you have a watch that needs maintenance or repair, don’t hesitate. Contact My Jewelry Repair today.
A Personal Story About Heirloom Jewelry From One Of Our Own
Heirloom jewelry is defined as jewelry passed down from one generation to the next. Jewelry and watches are one of the most common heirloom items. Grandmothers, grandfathers, mothers, and fathers passing heirloom pieces like engagement rings, wedding bands, strands of pearls, pins and watches to the younger members of their families.
Heirlooms can remind us of where we are from, our family history, and sometimes of the people that may no longer be with us. They can be passed down as designated in a will, or from person to person. Wearing or admiring a family heirloom is a wonderful way to honor, appreciate, and think of that someone special that wore the item before us.
I personally had the honor of passing down a watch to each of my father in laws four grandsons after he passed. I had each watch serviced with a professional clean and polish, as well as a new battery, and all four of his grandsons proudly wear one of their grandfathers watches today.
Jewelry and watches can last a lifetime and become a family heirloom with the proper care and maintenance. It is recommended to have an annual professional inspection, clean, and polish on your jewelry items. Our master jewelers, and certified watchmakers at MyJewelryRepair.com can perform the services needed to keep your heirlooms in wearable condition.
The holiday season is the perfect time to pass down a special piece to the next generation, but before you tie a bow around that gift box you may want to have it professionally cleaned and polished so it sparkles and shines as much as the smile on the face of the gift recipient.
-Sharon,
MJR Jewelry Specialist and Trainer
Heirloom Jewelry Can Mean A Lot
Heirloom jewelry is more than just a piece of jewelry or a watch, heirloom jewelry is defined as jewelry passed down from one generation to the next. Jewelry and watches are the most common heirloom pieces. Grandmothers, grandfathers, mothers, and fathers passing heirloom pieces like engagement rings, wedding bands, strands of pearls, pins and watches to the younger members of their families.
Heirlooms can remind us of where we are from, our family history, and sometimes of the people that may no longer be with us. Wearing or admiring a family heirloom is a wonderful way to honor, appreciate, and think of that someone special that wore the item before us.
My Own Experience With Heirloom Jewelry
I received one of my mother’s favorite pieces of jewelry as a Christmas gift a few years before she passed away, a classic wide gold wedding band, this was a piece that she wore every day since I can remember. She had it cleaned and polished, so it looked like new when I opened the gift box. I think she had as much pleasure seeing the surprise and smile on my face as I did when I saw the ring in the box, it was such a thoughtful and sentimental gift. I not only cherish the ring, but also the memory of that Christmas.
So, if you are thinking of gifting a special piece of jewelry or a watch this holiday season, our master jewelers and certified watchmakers at MyJewelryRepair.com can perform the services needed to make that special gift sparkle and shine for the special occasion. Whether the piece needs a basic clean and polish, or repair work we are here to help.
