Journal archive
Author: am-webadmin
Specialist guidance from A&M Jewellery Workshop.
Published guidance
Articles in this archive.
Why Is a White Gold Ring Looking Yellow? Questions Before Replating
A white gold ring that appears warmer in colour may prompt an immediate request for rhodium plating. Before treating that as the complete answer, establish the known alloy, previous finish and pattern of change. Colour in a photograph can also be affected by lighting, so the physical piece should remain the reference.
V-Claws and Pointed Stones: What the Setting Brief Should Specify
The point of a pear-shaped stone or the corners of a princess cut deserve explicit attention in a setting brief. A retailer may request V-claws for their appearance or protective role, but the term does not describe the complete construction. The actual stone, its condition and the mount around it still determine the assessment.
Replacing a Bracelet Clasp: Compatibility Beyond the Clasp Size
A replacement clasp needs to work with the bracelet around it. Matching the approximate size or colour is not enough if the attachment points, operating direction or finished length differ from the original. For a retailer, the commission should describe the complete closure arrangement rather than an isolated component.
Why a Wide Ring Can Fit Differently from a Narrow Band
A ring size is a useful reference, but it does not describe the complete experience of wearing a band. Width, internal profile and the presence of neighbouring rings can all matter to the fitting discussion. A wide wedding band therefore deserves more than a size copied from a narrow engagement ring.
Recording Jewellery Condition at Take-In
A jewellery take-in record should establish what has been received and why the customer has brought it in. It provides a reference for the repair conversation, the workshop assessment and the eventual return. Its value comes from accurate identification and clear observations, not from making every possible diagnosis at the counter.
Gallery Rails in Engagement Rings: Purpose, Position and Design Approval
A gallery rail is one of the details that can be missed when an engagement ring is approved mainly from above. Its position affects the side view and its relationship to the claws belongs in the construction discussion. The right question is how that feature works within the particular setting, not whether a single rail design should be copied onto every ring.
Jewellery Cleaning and Polishing: Two Different Instructions
Clean and polish are often used together at a jewellery counter, but they should not be treated as interchangeable instructions. Cleaning concerns unwanted material on the item. Polishing concerns the appearance and condition of the surface itself. A customer may want one, both or a more limited treatment that preserves an existing texture.
Replacing a Missing Pavé Stone: Match the Seat and Check the Surroundings
A tiny missing stone can draw the eye immediately, especially in a close pavé pattern. Replacing it involves more than selecting something that fills the visible gap. The workshop needs to assess the seat, the supporting metal and the condition of neighbouring positions before deciding what work is required.
Repairing Hollow Jewellery: What a Retailer Should Explain
A hollow piece can look substantial while presenting a very different repair problem from a solid item of similar size. The visible outside does not reveal the thickness, accessibility or condition of every part of the shell. A dent, split or worn attachment therefore needs a construction-led assessment before a retailer promises a result.
Ring Sizing Beads or Shank Resizing: Which Question Are You Solving?
Sizing beads and shank resizing address fit in different ways. An internal adjustment changes the contact between the ring and finger, while a conventional resize changes the band’s circumference. Choosing between them starts with understanding why the ring feels wrong, rather than selecting the smallest available workshop operation.