The bail goes before the pendant does
A bail carries the whole weight of the piece on a loop of thin metal, and the chain running through it wears a groove day after day for years. Nobody notices until there is nothing left holding it.
That is the failure we see most. It is also the cheapest thing on this page to fix, provided you catch it before it lets go in a car park. Hold your pendant up and look at the loop where the chain sits: if there is a visible groove worn into it, or a thin bright spot, it is close. Bring it in that week rather than that year.
- Replaced in gold or silver, matched to the piece rather than to whatever is in the drawer.
- Most done the same day, a good number within the hour.
- Done at our bench inside the store — nothing is posted anywhere.
Charms that have come off a bracelet
Charm bracelets lose charms at the jump ring, not at the charm. The ring opens slightly, catches on a sleeve, and the charm is gone. If you still have the charm we will solder it back on properly rather than squeeze the ring shut and hand it back — a closed ring that has been opened once will open again.
While the bracelet is on the bench we check the other rings too, because they have all had the same wear.
Stones that have fallen out of a charm
Small set stones in charms and pendants sit in light settings, and they work loose the same way ring stones do. If you have the stone, bring it. If you do not, bring the piece anyway — most stones in charm work can be matched closely enough that you will not see the difference, and we will tell you honestly when they cannot.
What we do on pendants and charms
- Bail replacement — the loop your chain runs through, in gold or silver.
- Adding a bail to something that never had one — coins, medals, keepsakes.
- Charm soldering — charms reattached to bracelets and chains.
- Stone replacement — a fallen or missing stone reset.
- Jump ring replacement — the small ring that is usually the actual point of failure.
- Cleaning and polishing — included with every repair.
What will it cost?
Is it the bail that has broken, or the jump ring? Has a charm come off a bracelet, or the pendant off its chain? Is the stone still sitting properly in it? Is it solid or hollow where the work would go? We cannot answer a single one of those without the piece in front of us. Bring it by Orland Square Mall and we will tell you what it needs and what it comes to, before anything starts.
We give you the exact price at the counter, before any work begins, and it goes on your ticket. Bringing it in for a look costs nothing and there is no obligation.
Straight to your question
Questions we get asked
How do I know the bail is worn?
Hold the pendant up and look at the loop where the chain sits. A groove worn into it, or a thin bright patch, means it is close to going. If you can see daylight through a thin spot, bring it in this week.
Can you put a bail on something that never had one?
Usually yes — coins, medals, small keepsakes and inherited pieces. Bring it in and we will tell you what is possible before you commit to anything.
My charm bracelet lost a charm. Can you reattach it?
If you still have the charm, yes, and we solder it rather than just squeezing the ring closed. A ring that has opened once will open again.
How long does it take?
Most bail and charm work is done the same day, and a lot of it within the hour while you walk the mall.
Do you send pendants out to a workshop?
Never. Everything is done at our bench inside Orland Square Mall. Your piece does not leave the building.
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.
Pendant and charm work brings customers in from Tinley Park, Orland Hills, Palos Heights, Oak Forest, Homer Glen and right across the south suburbs.