Emeralds want a different approach
An emerald is a hard stone with natural inclusions running through it, and those lines are where it can give. Heat and sudden temperature change are what it likes least, which is why an emerald ring is a job for a bench that plans around the stone rather than one that works the metal and hopes.
Often that means taking the stone out first, doing the metalwork, and resetting it. Sometimes it means a cold repair with a laser instead of a torch. Which one depends on the piece, and we decide that with it in hand.
What comes in most
- Ring sizing on emerald rings, planned around the stone.
- A loose emerald tightened in its setting.
- Prongs rebuilt, very often on older pieces.
- A chipped girdle or corner — worth looking at, because the setting can sometimes cover it.
- Cleaning, done gently and without an ultrasonic, which emeralds should stay out of.
- Resetting an emerald into a new mount.
Keep it out of the ultrasonic
Emeralds are commonly treated with oil or resin to settle their surface lines, and an ultrasonic cleaner or steam can pull that treatment straight out. It is one of the most common ways a good emerald gets spoiled, and it happens at home as often as anywhere. We clean them by hand.
Older emerald pieces
A lot of what we see is inherited, and older settings have had decades of wear. Worth a look under the loupe before you wear it much more, because the stone is usually the part you cannot replace.
Bring it in and we will look at it
Every piece is different and emeralds 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 an emerald ring be sized?
Yes, planned around the stone — often by taking it out first or working cold. Bring it in and we will tell you what we would do.
Should I clean my emerald in an ultrasonic?
No. It can strip the oil or resin treatment. We clean emeralds by hand.
My emerald has a chip on the edge — is that fixable?
Worth looking at. Sometimes the setting can be adjusted to cover it. Bring it in.
Can you reset an emerald into something new?
Yes. Bring the piece and what you have in mind.
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.