What hollow means
A hollow piece is built from a thin shell of gold over air, which is how you get a chunky look at a fraction of the weight. It is a clever piece of manufacturing and it is why a lot of big-looking chains are affordable. It also means there is very little metal to work with when something gives.
What makes it harder
- The walls are thin. Too much heat and the shell collapses or burns through.
- Dents push in rather than scratching, and there is nothing behind them to push back against.
- A crushed link has to be reshaped before it can be joined.
- Old repairs and residue inside the tube can boil out when heat is applied.
- Polishing thins it further, so it is done sparingly.
What we can usually do
- Solder a break with a careful, low approach, or cold with a laser where that is safer.
- Reshape a dent in a hollow bangle or a wide link.
- Replace a crushed link with a matching one rather than trying to save it.
- Repair or replace a clasp, which is often the actual failure point.
- Shorten a hollow chain cleanly.
Being straight with you
On some hollow pieces the honest answer is that a repair will hold but will not be invisible, or that a replacement link is the better route. We will tell you which yours is before anything is agreed, so you are deciding with the facts.
Bring it in and we will look at it
Every piece is different and hollow pieces especially so. Put it on the counter, tell us what has happened, and we will tell you what we see and what we would do about it. You decide from there, before anything is agreed.
Questions we get asked
Can a hollow gold chain be repaired?
Often, yes, with a lighter hand than a solid one. Bring it in and we will tell you what we see.
Can a dent in a hollow bangle come out?
Usually it can be reshaped. Bring it in and we will look at the wall thickness first.
Will a hollow repair be invisible?
Sometimes. Sometimes it will hold but show slightly, and we will tell you which yours is before we start.
Why is hollow harder than solid?
There is very little metal and no support behind it, so heat and pressure both have to be lighter.
Will you tell me what you find before doing any work?
Always. We look at it with you at the counter, tell you what we see, and you decide.
Not sure we can fix it?
Send a couple of details and we will call you back. Or just walk in — it is quicker, and we can actually look at the piece.
Drop it off, shop the mall, wear it tonight
We are inside Orland Square Mall in Orland Park. Walk in during mall hours, no appointment. Most repairs are finished the same day and a good number while you wait.
Where we are
Julio's Jewelry, 800 Orland Square Drive, Orland Park, IL 60462 — inside Orland Square Mall. Mon–Thu 10am–8pm · Fri–Sat 10am–9pm · Sun 11am–6pm. We are also at North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 W Cermak Rd, North Riverside, IL 60546.