Practical Jewellery Repair [Hardcover]

James Hickling (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 30, 1998

In Practical Jewellery Repair, the author provides detailed information, based on his wide experience, about the methods and techniques of the professional repairer and restorer of jewellery. Starting where it all begins—in the workshop—he demonstrates that a wide range of repair work can be done with even a modest set-up. The basic techniques of soldering, casting, wire-drawing, polishing, sawing, and filing are covered and illustrated. There is valuable advice on the usual types of repair to bracelets, lockets, watchcases, and brooches, including the making of joints and pins, safety catches, dent removal, respringing, and polishing. Some of the more unusual jobs that may be met by the repairer, and how they should be tackled, are treated in a useful question answer form.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James E. Hickling was born in Nottingham, and was educated at Trent Bridge School. He learned his basic craft skills by doing simple repairs in his farther's workshop in his spare time for pocket money. On leaving school he became a telephone engineer, but at the age of 21 he became a full-time jewellery repairer in the family business, setting up his own workshop two years later. In 1965 he emigrated to Australia with his family, where he worked for a manufacturer of jewellery and, later, for an instrument maker, where he learned to operate an engraving machine, a press and a lathe. Three years later he went to New Zealand, where he again worked for a jewellery manufacturer and then a repairing workshop. When that firm went out of business he bought most of their equipment and set up on his own. The equipment included a fly press and a Victorian drop hammer, with hundreds of hand-made dies. But, he recalls, when he needed to make a few of his own he could not find a book explaining how to do so. Eventually he learnt by trial and error. He returned to this county in 1976, settled in Cornwall and formed his own jewellery manufacturing and repairing workshop. He now lives in Penzance.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Robert Hale (November 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 071980082X
• ISBN-13: 978-0719800825
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,258,504 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent metalsmithing, gemstone working repair guide, January 7, 2008

By 

D. Nelson (Middle Atlantic) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Practical Jewellery Repair (Hardcover)

Update --

This book focuses a lot on blowtorch techniques, ring making and jewelery making history. It's very entertaining to read as well as having mostly just tips on how to do things in the best or easiest way. It's not a step by step book, but would be best paired with a step by step oriented metal-and-gems jewelery making book.

I enjoyed blacksmithing very much during my "going to camp" years, and metal jewelry making is, to me, like a miniature version of it. It's a hobby that anyone can do in their basement (with appropriate ventilation). Keep young kids closely supervised, though. It's easy to cut yourself or burn yourself badly, not to mention touching unhealthy metals for hours. When I was a kid, part of the fun of it was that it was dangerous. It gave me a sense of caution and responsibility.

Original Review --

I'll update this once I receive "Practical Jewlery Repair", but wanted to point out that professional jewlery websites have this item selling for well over $40, so the savings is actually higher than noted on this web page - it's currently list price $35. It covers the techniques of soldering, casting, wire-drawing, polishing, sawing and filing, among others. Note that it's not designed for the string-and-beads jewlery maker, unless s/he is also interested in metal/gem jewlery making or is looking for techniques that can be carried over.