Good quality jewellery is always popular at Christmas but, instead of visiting your local jewellery shop to buy a new piece, what about arranging to have an existing but damaged piece of jewellery repaired by a professional jeweller?
You could spend hundreds – or even thousands – of pounds on a new necklace for your wife, but would it mean any more to her than the first necklace you gave her? Remember how upset she was when it was accidentally broken? A skilled jeweller would be able to repair and clean that old necklace so it looks like new again. Imagine your wife's joy when she puts on her ‘new' necklace that already holds so many happy memories.
A local jewellery shop with highly qualified staff and its own workshop on the premises will be able to offer specialist repair and alteration services for all types of jewellery:
* If your sister has lost one of the stones from her favourite bangle, a jeweller experienced in working with gemstones will be able to fit a replacement stone of the same size, colour and quality. He or she will also check that all the other stones are secure in their settings.
* Your daughter's white gold necklace that has become discoloured over the years can have its brilliance and colour restored by a jeweller who offers rhodium plating.
* Your father will be able to enjoy wearing his gold watch again after its broken bracelet is skilfully repaired.
* Has your aunt inherited an antique silver brooch with a missing pin? Adding a strong new pin and clasp would be a simple job for a jewellery repair expert.
* Perhaps your mother is unable to wear her engagement ring because it is now too small. A professional jeweller can re-size it so that it fits perfectly again.
A few discreet enquiries amongst your family and friends will almost certainly reveal that many of them have pieces of jewellery that can no longer be worn, but which mean too much to their owners to be sold for scrap. If you take them along to a local jeweller who has built up a good reputation for carrying out high quality repairs you can be sure that your Christmas gifts will bring lasting pleasure – and save you money!
