Where chips happen
Almost always at the girdle — the widest edge of the stone, which is the part that sticks out and meets door frames. On a diamond it takes a real knock. On a softer stone like an emerald or an opal it takes much less.
What the options usually are
- Rotate or reset it. If the chip is small and near a prong, turning the stone so a prong sits over it can hide it completely.
- Adjust the setting. A slightly different head or a bezel edge can cover an edge chip.
- Recut. On a larger stone this is sometimes worth it, and it means a small loss of size for a clean edge.
- Replace it. On a manufactured stone like CZ or on a small accent, this is often the simplest answer.
- Leave it. If it is invisible where it sits and the stone is secure, that is a legitimate choice and we will say so.
The chip matters less than what caused it
A stone that has chipped often chipped because it was already loose and moving in the setting. That is the part we look at hardest, because a loose stone chips again.
Do not wear it in the meantime
A chipped edge can run, especially on a stone with natural lines in it. If you can take it off until we have looked, that is the safer call.
Bring it in and we will look at it
Every piece is different and a chipped stone 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 chipped diamond be fixed?
Sometimes it can be hidden in the setting, sometimes recut, sometimes replaced. Bring it in and we will look at it under the loupe.
Will I lose size if it is recut?
A little. Whether that trade is worth it depends on the stone, and we will talk it through with you.
Why did my stone chip?
Often it was already loose and moving. That is the part we look at hardest.
Should I keep wearing it?
Better not to until we have looked, because a chip can run.
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.