My Ring Needs to be Rehammered

My wedding ring is so worn that the lovely indentations initially put into this hand-made ring are just about worn away. Can I get it rehammered? Would the cost be reasonable?


Hello,

Unfortunately re-hammering a ring is in most cases not possible. I’m not sure what type of metal your ring is made with, but if it is made with palladium, platinum, gold or silver, attempts to re-hammer the ring would probably distort the ring’s size.

When hammered rings are crafted, the jeweler takes into account how the hammering process will stretch the ring and affect the width of the band. Many hammered rings too – if they are not crafted by hammering the band out on a ring mandrel - are created by hammering one long piece of metal and then soldering and finishing the two ends to fashion a seamless hammered ring of a specific size.


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The force that is necessary to re-hammer these indentations would most likely stretch out the ring and affect its size – and if the ring is thin any attempt to re-hammer it could injure and deform the band.

But, that is not to say that re-hammering the ring would be impossible. It all depends on the current condition of the ring, the type of metal the ring is crafted with and the thickness of the band.

It may be possible for a jeweler to place very light indentations around the ring without affecting its size – but these light indentations would probably wear away again relatively quickly on an every-day wear wedding ring.

If the band is thick enough, the jeweler may be able to re-hammer out the band and then size the ring again afterwards too. In this case, the jeweler could place more significant and lasting indentations on the band. However, if this option was chosen the band will be thinned out.

Regarding the cost – that would all depend again on the type of metal the band was made with and which re-hammering technique is used. Lightly hammering out the band will be much more affordable than having the band completely re-hammered and re-sized, but the cost in both cases probably would be quite reasonable.

The cost for working on the ring too though could increase if the ring is rhodium plated – because in this case the plate will need to be completely removed before the ring is worked on and then re-applied after the hammering process is completed. And if the ring is made with a lower valued metal – like silver or 10k gold – the cost of re-hammering the ring could exceed its original value.

If at all possible, talk with the original jeweler who crafted the ring to see if any of these options are viable. Or, consult with another jeweler about working on the band and if re-hammering the band would even be possible – and if so for how much.

I wish I could offer more concrete advice – but unfortunately the answers to your questions all depend on the ring’s metal, condition and thickness.

We would love to hear an update though – for future visitors who may have hammered rings with worn surfaces too - if you decide to have the ring assessed and re-hammered.

Thanks!

Suzanne Gardner
Everything Wedding Rings

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