Advice: can chips in silver jewellery be repaired?

[Bobbi44]

Hi,

I thought I'd try to get some advice on here as I'm really not sure what to expect regarding some damage to a sentimental bracelet.

So, I was wearing my engraved solid silver bangle (has a clip fastening) and it randomly fell off whilst i was in the New Forest. I picked it up instantly and at first thought it was ok until I noticed a nasty chip in the bracelet were it had unfortunately hit stone. On further inspection, although small, it is quite deep and rough edged.

What I want to know is can a jeweller repair this? I have polished it as online it says scratches and scuffs can be removed. This of course has made no difference. I literally cannot find anything online to reassure me, all it brings up is info on scratches. I'm feeling really down about it as it's such a sentimental piece to me and is irreplaceable. Any advice appreciated/ if this has happened to you! I have also attached a picture. I do intend on asking local jewellers when they're back open tomorrow.

Thanks :)

I'm sorry that happened. I'm curious too. I have two solid bangles bought by different people at different times and both gave various nicks, scratches etc and I'm in two minds about getting them 'done'. Not sure what they can do or if it'll make them feel like they're no longer the originals.

@TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination thanks. It's sods law that it happened to this piece, honestly never happens to dress jewellery that I wear!

When I took a silver ring of mine that had chips and pits like this, the jewellery informed me there was nothing they could do as the chips were too deep. I'm worried that this will be the case too, but on the other hand, this isn't a dainty ring; it's solid and wider etc.

I am personally more inclined to get things repaired but that's just my preference. I dont mind scratches and scuffs but dents and chips are horrible and effect the look and in my case the feel as its rough to go over. Hopefully someone with more knowledge may be able to inform us on here!

I think it can, (I am an amateur silversmith) although it depends on where the engraving/clasp is etc as the jeweller would need to heat the damaged
area of the bangle to red hot to get a drop of molten silver into the dent and this could damage engraving if it’s on the inside. Once the dent is filled, it can then be filed down and repolished.

@Whatevergetsyouthroughthenight ohh thank you! It's not near the clasp, it's at the bottom of the bangle. I personally wasn't sure what can be done but was hoping that maybe silver is like wood in the sense it could be sanded/buffed and also infilled. It is just the one annoying chip and to be honest I would be happy to pay out If it meant no rough edge and chip. I will discuss this with a local jeweller. Praying they can either get rid of it or at the least make it smoother and less visible.

Yes it can be repaired, but it won't be cheap, and the silversmith might say it will cost more than the bangle is worth (in monetary terms obvs you can't put a price on sentimental value).

@nomoreflyingfucks thanks that is reassuring. To be honest I would pay. I can imagine it would be pricey but hopefully not in the obsurd realms money wise. Will ask around tomorrow.