Question the three tears that c
main part of the ring
QUESTION: hello i have a belly ring made of stainless steel very sentimental to me and i would like to wear it again.i know i could just go buy another one but my dead brother gave this to me and im begging for some help!!!i dont want some cheap replacement or fix. im willing to pay. has the diamond coming out of the top not the bottom of the ring, one of the hoops has been pulled on for 10 yrs.and it finally got so thin it broke. would like to have it repaired but have looked here in town where i live and allover the internet calling and calling everyone and nobody is willing to help or give me a referral. everyone has been pretty rude that i have tried to call. i really need some help before i go insane trying to look any further. have been on the computer for three days looking this up trying to find SOMEONE to help.
thanks for your time!
ANSWER: Dear Katie,
Thank you so much for the two photos. Without those I likely would have given advice in a different direction, thinking at first there was a diamond originally set into the stainless steel loop and that was coming out. As it is and I see, it looks like the open ring where the three tiers were dangling is broken open. If that is the problem, the loop can very likely be closed and welded shut after the dangle is put on one side of the broken loop. Is this the problem? If I got it wrong, please use a follow-up to get with me and let me know.
There is one valid reason jewelers will not work on this item: Stainless steel. You see, jewelers work with gold, silver and precious metals which they may solder and braze. Stainless steel simply refuses to take the solders and brazing materials jewelers use and a clean, strong solder is almost impossible.
There is a solution but you have to find the right jeweler to do it. That is a laser welder. Welding machines for jewelry work have been on the scene for several years but the high initial cost prevents many jewelers from own a laser welder. Also, lasers do wonderful work with in the limits of the machine but honestly I do not believe the machines have lived up to the marketing hype. Some jobs they do extremely well and others not so well, basically because basic rules of proper heating and joint structure in welding are often violated. The machines will do it if the time is taken to work with with total correct procedure.
Stainless steel is easy to weld with a laser welder. What you need is to find a jeweler who has or has access to a laser welder. Stores often farm out work to a "trade shop", a shop set up to do the repairs of many jeweler clients. A trade shop will benefit from a laser welder while a small independent jewelry shop might not find it cost effective to spend $20-$30 thousand dollars on the machine!
What you are looking for now is a jewelry business with access to a laser welder. That is the answer in getting stainless steel welded back together. The loop will be slightly smaller than before but should work or another loop can be added to the dangle to make it fit and still hang properly.
Katie, there you have it. Best wishes on finding a jeweler properly equipped to do this repair.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: thanks so much for your reply!
one other question,,,, you say the hoop would be a bit smaller??? they wouldnt be able to add more steel to it to make it a bit thicker again and stronger??? they can only weld it back together??
thanks again! katie
AnswerKatie,
I do not have the belly ring here where I can see it and know exactly what working room is there where the broken loop is attached next to the stone. If there is room enough, a laser welder may be used to put on a new loop. The broken one would be removed and a new one put in its place. This would be much better than trying to add metal to the old loop. When metal is added to a small loop like that, it is quite difficult to finish it neatly. Yes, metal likely could be added but replacing the loop would be better. The jeweler will have to see the ornament to know what can and cannot be done to make a permanent repair.
Best wishes. God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
