Need a Fix? Jewelry Repair Shops Should Be a Haven for Old Friends

Whatever happened to the marcasite stone in your exquisite Victorian necklace? Missing in action? What about your grandfather’s pocket watch? Stuck in a drawer when it quit ticking? There are people who specialize in making everything all right again.

Look for jewelry repair shops that protect your valuables:

* Insurance protection: A full-amount replacement value in case of fire, theft or any other type of damage.

* Satisfaction: If not satisfied, work should be redone at no extra charge.

* Annual fire department checks to ensure safe equipment and devices.

* Tool and fire resistance safes: for storing fine jewelry.

Here’s a selection of jewelry repair shops that meet these criteria:

Renee Jewelers has been in existence for 60 years. Not only does it repair fine jewelry, it will also repair vintage jewelry (including antique pocket watches) or create custom designs (from a sketch or photo).

Prices for services vary. However, to cast and clean a ring costs about $85. If a customer has his or her own gold, the cost is reduced. Other services offered: updating vintage jewelry; repairing intricate Pave designs (little stones completely pronged) and channel settings (stones set into gold without prongs) and replacing parts on pocket watches. It also offers a selection of watch batteries that can be installed in minutes on the premises.

The Orange Plaza, 138 N. Glassell, Orange (714) 538-1956 or (714) 538-1260.

For 23 years, Fazzare has offered a diverse, in-house service of restoring antique jewelry and repairing any kind of costume or fine jewelry (watches included). But perhaps the shop’s real draw is its professional appraisal service: $25 (first item); $15 (second item); $10 (each additional item). Rough appraisals are free. In addition, the owners will special-order a stone or part.

4889 Main St., Yorba Linda (714) 777-0200.

Factotum welds and solders jewelry on the premises. It will replace costume jewelry stones, fabricate brass or sterling silver parts and do any general metalwork repairs (around $15) on fashion jewelry.

392 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach (714) 497-4114.