Soldered properly, not glued
There is a right way and a fast way to fix a gold chain. The fast way is a crimp or a dab of glue, and it will part again within weeks, usually somewhere worse. The right way is solder, and that is what happens here.
The work is done at our bench inside the store, on the same visit in most cases. Your chain is not put in an envelope and posted to a workshop in another state, which is what a lot of counters do — including some in this mall. Chains are also the easiest thing to lose in the post, being small and worth melting down, and none of that risk exists if nothing is ever posted.
- Soldered, then finished so the repair is not visible on the link.
- The links either side get checked — a chain that broke once has usually stretched nearby.
- Same day, often inside the hour.
- Cleaned and polished before it goes back on you.
Walk in during mall hours.
Every style, and what usually breaks
We repair Cuban link and Miami Cuban, rope, Figaro, Franco, box, herringbone, curb, snake, mariner and anchor, byzantine, wheat and Spiga, bead and ball, singapore, and tennis chains.
- Cuban and Miami Cuban — heavy, and usually it is the clasp or the end link that goes, not the chain.
- Rope — breaks mid-chain and needs the twist matched so the repair does not show.
- Figaro and curb — a single stretched link, easily closed and re-soldered.
- Franco and box — tight weaves that need a careful, low-heat join.
- Herringbone — kinks and then re-breaks at the kink. Often repairable, sometimes not, and we tell you which before you pay.
- Hollow chain of any style — thin-walled and easy to burn through with a torch, which is exactly what the laser welder is for.
Shortening, lengthening and clasps
Chains shortened to sit where you want them, lengthened with matching links or an extender, and clasps replaced in any common type: lobster claw, spring ring, barrel and screw, toggle, box clasp with a safety catch, magnetic, and fold-over.
If the chain broke because the metal is worn thin over a stretch rather than at one link, we will show you — patching one spot on a chain that is going everywhere is money wasted, and you deserve to know that before you spend it.
What will it cost?
Rope, Figaro, Franco, box, Cuban or herringbone? Solid, or hollow through the middle? 10k, 14k or 18k? Did it go at a link, or right where the clasp sits? Solder, or laser weld? None of that gets answered down a phone line. Bring it out to Julio’s Jewelry inside Orland Square Mall, let us take a look, and you will get an honest estimate right there at the counter.
Straight to your question
- My chain broke
- My chain broke right at the clasp
- My rope chain came apart
- My herringbone chain is creased
- My hollow chain has a dent in it
- My chain is in a knot I cannot undo
- Gold necklace repair
Questions we get asked
How fast is a chain repair?
Most are soldered and finished the same day, many within the hour. Bring it in at lunchtime and it is usually ready before you leave the mall.
Will the repaired link be weaker than the rest?
Not if it is soldered properly. A soldered join is as strong as the original link. What we also do is check the links either side, because a chain that has broken once has usually stretched nearby.
Will the repair show?
On most chains, no. We match the metal colour and karat and finish the join so it disappears into the pattern. On a herringbone or a very fine hollow chain, a close look may find it, and we will tell you that in advance rather than after.
My chain broke in the same place twice. Why?
Usually because the links either side are worn thin, so the repair holds but the metal around it gives. The fix is replacing that section rather than re-joining the same point a third time.
Can you repair a hollow gold chain?
Yes. Hollow chain is thin-walled and a torch can blow through it, which is where laser welding earns its keep — the heat stays in a spot a fraction of a millimetre wide.
Bring it in — or ask first
Walk in during mall hours and we will price it at the counter, in writing, before anything is touched. If you would rather ask first, send a couple of details and we will call you back.
Bring it in today, 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 many while you wait. Or send a few details and we will call you back with a price.
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.
Chain repairs come in from Bridgeview, Burbank, Justice, Alsip and the rest of the southwest side.