vintage restoration

Revive History: Vintage & Antique Jewelry Restoration in Toronto

Every vintage piece tells a story. From the Art Deco engagement ring that survived decades of love to the Victorian locket holding secrets of the past. At KIA Jewelry, we don't just repair old jewelry; we preserve history. Our restoration experts understand that antique pieces require a different touch—one that respects the original patina, craftsmanship, and soul of the item.

Whether it's a worn-out heirloom you're afraid to wear or a flea market find that needs love, we use period-appropriate techniques to restore its structural integrity without erasing its character.

🕰️ Period-correct techniques | 💎 Old-cut stone sourcing | 🛡️ Preservation focused | 📍 Toronto artisans

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Restoration vs. Repair: What's the Difference?

Standard repair fixes a problem (like a broken chain). Restoration is a holistic approach to bringing a piece back to its original glory while maintaining its historical integrity.

Why Choose Restoration?

Preserve Value: Proper restoration maintains the antique value; poor repair can destroy it.
Wearability: We strengthen worn areas (like shanks and prongs) so you can safely wear the piece daily.
Aesthetic Integrity: We match metal colors, finishes, and stone cuts to the specific era (e.g., sourcing an Old Mine Cut diamond instead of a modern Brilliant cut).

⚠️ A Note on Patina: Many antique lovers cherish the "lived-in" look (patina). We always ask: "Do you want it to look brand new, or do you want it to look its age but structurally sound?" The choice is yours.

Our Restoration Services

Prong Retipping & Claw Rebuilding

The tiny claws holding your stones are the first to wear down. On vintage rings, these are often worn paper-thin. We rebuild each tip individually using laser welding technology that prevents heat damage to sensitive antique stones.

Retipping from $45 per claw (Volume discounts available)

Shank Replacement (Re-shanking)

Decades of wear can make the bottom of a ring band (the shank) dangerously thin. We remove the thin section and graft in a new, thick piece of metal that matches the original alloy perfectly.

Full Shank Replacement from $200 CAD

Vintage Stone Sourcing & Replacement

Modern diamonds look different from antique ones. If you've lost a stone from a 1920s ring, a modern cut will look out of place. We source:

Old European Cut diamonds
Old Mine Cut diamonds
Rose Cut diamonds
French Cut sapphires and rubies
Seed pearls for Victorian pieces

Stone Sourcing: Custom Quote

Milgrain & Filigree Restoration

The tiny beaded edges (milgrain) and lace-like metalwork (filigree) common in Art Deco and Edwardian jewelry can smooth out over time. We re-apply these intricate details by hand to make the design pop again.

Detail Restoration from $120 CAD

Enamel Repair

Chipped enamel on Art Nouveau or mid-century pieces? We can repair or replace cold enamel to restore the vibrant color patterns.

The Restoration Process

Step 1: The Forensic Assessment (Free)

We examine your piece under a microscope. We check for:

Loose stones
Previous bad repairs (lead solder, mismatched metals)
Structural weaknesses
Metal type and hallmarks

Step 2: The Plan & Quote

We explain exactly what needs to be done. We'll tell you the risks (if any) and provide a fixed price. We might say, "We can fix this, but the stone is fragile, so there's a slight risk." Honesty is our policy.

Step 3: The Careful Work

Using laser welders (which allow pinpoint precision without heating the whole piece) and traditional hand tools, we execute the restoration.

Step 4: The Reveal

You get your piece back, strong, clean, and ready for another 100 years of life.

Pricing Overview

Restoration Service	Starting Price	Notes
Detailed Assessment Microscopic inspection	Free	No obligation
Prong Re-tipping Rebuilding worn claws	$45+ / prong	Discount for multiple prongs
Re-shanking Replacing thin band bottom	$200+ CAD	Depends on metal weight
Milgrain/Detail Restoration Re-applying decorative edges	$120+ CAD	Hand-applied technique
Deep Cleaning & Polish Gentle sonic cleaning	$40+ CAD	Safe for fragile settings

Why Trust KIA Jewelry with Your Heirlooms?

We Know the Risks: We know that emeralds can't take heat and opals hate chemicals. We treat every stone according to its specific needs.
Laser Technology: We use laser welding, which allows us to work on intricate antique pieces without melting surrounding details—something a traditional torch can't do.
Sourcing Network: Need a 3mm Old Mine Cut diamond? We have the network to find it.
Respect for Sentiment: We know this isn't just a ring; it's your grandmother. We treat it with that level of respect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will restoration lower the value of my antique jewelry?

Proper, professional restoration that preserves the original integrity usually maintains or increases value because it makes the piece usable again. However, aggressive cleaning (removing all patina) or using modern parts can hurt value. That's why we consult with you first.

Can you size a ring with engraving all around?

It's tricky, but often yes. We may have to create a small "sizing bar" at the bottom, or in some cases, we can re-engrave the pattern over the sized area. We'll show you exactly where the cut will be.

My ring is very thin at the bottom. Will it break?

Eventually, yes. Gold wears down over decades. If it's paper-thin, we recommend "re-shanking"—replacing just the bottom portion with fresh, thick gold. It makes the ring safe to wear for another lifetime.