Why heat is the problem
Traditional soldering heats a whole area to get metal flowing. That is fine on a plain band. It is a real problem when there is an opal, an emerald, a pearl or a treated stone within reach, or when the piece is hollow and thin.
What a laser changes
The weld is made in a spot measured in fractions of a millimetre. The metal a short distance away barely warms. That means a stone can often stay set while the repair happens beside it.
Where it earns its place
- Stones that cannot be removed easily or cannot take heat at all.
- Hollow chains and hollow bangles, where a torch would open the wall up.
- Mixed metals, where a soldered seam would show as a colour line.
- Antique pieces with previous repairs in unknown alloys.
- Very fine work, where the heat of a torch would distort the detail.
Not always the right answer
Solder is still better for some jobs — where a broad, strong joint is what the piece needs. We choose based on the piece rather than on the tool, and we will tell you which yours calls for.
Questions we get asked
Can you repair near stones without removing them?
Often, yes. A laser puts heat only where the weld is, so a stone can frequently stay set.
Which stones cannot take heat?
Opal, emerald, pearl, turquoise and many treated stones among others. We identify them before planning the work.
Is laser welding stronger than solder?
Different rather than stronger. Solder suits a broad joint; laser suits precision near something vulnerable.
Can hollow jewelry be laser welded?
Often yes, and it is one of the places a laser genuinely earns its keep.
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.