QuestionI recently came through Dubai and purchased a 22 k gold bangle for my wife. It is a little too small to go over her hand. Can this be resized?
AnswerHello, Mike.
Dubai is certainly known for gold. Whether or not the bangle can be re-sized depends partially on the resourcefulness of a competent jeweler in your area. Why do I say that? Here are 3 reasons: 1) If the bangle is solid, it can likely be hammered on a steel mandrel to enlarge the size a small amount. If the surface is free of designs, the job consists of annealing the metal(heating to return it to a natural soft state), hammering at first with a non-metallic hammer while on the mandrel to see if that will do the job, following with a metal hammer if needed, then refinishing to remove any tool marks. 2) If the bangle is solid and has a design on the surface, a jeweler who does really good work should be able to redo the design close enough to the original to do. 3) If a hollow bangle, a fairly complicated job will be needed to make a suitable piece to put into the bangle to enlarge the size.
You will need to take the bangle to the best bench jewelers close to you and ask their opinions. By actually seeing the bangle they can either reject the work or say yes and explain how they intend to do it. If a piece of solid gold must be added, they will need to obtain a section of 22k gold to be brazed into the original bangle. The jeweler should be comfortable working with this high karat gold.
Mike, yes, normally the job can be done. Hollow construction might stop someone from doing the work but solid can be made larger with relative ease depending on any surface embellishment.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
