What to Do When Artificial Jewellery Breaks, Fades or Loses a Stone
by Jihaan Savla on Oct 28, 2026
Quick answer: First check whether the problem is a defect on arrival or wear from use. Report defects to the seller quickly: Saloni asks within 2 days of delivery. For wear, a jeweller can often fix a clasp, hook or loose stone cheaply, but re-plating and restringing rarely pay off on low-cost pieces, so replacing can make more sense.
Updated October 2026
Every jewellery box has a piece that lost a stone, snapped at the clasp or faded at the edges. Before you throw it away, it helps to know which problems are fixable and which are not. Saloni Fashion Jewellery sells fashion jewellery in plated brass or alloy, so the repair advice below suits plated pieces, and the first step is always to work out whether the problem is a defect or ordinary wear.
Is it a defect or ordinary wear?
A defect shows up at once or very soon: a broken hook out of the box, stones already loose, a wrong design or a damaged parcel. Ordinary wear appears after use: faded edges, a stretched chain or a snapped link after months. Defects should be reported to the seller with photos right away. Our guide on what to check when your jewellery order arrives shows how to inspect it.
What does Saloni cover and what does it not?
Saloni accepts claims for damaged, defective or wrong items reported within 2 days of delivery, and pays return shipping in those cases. It does not cover wear from use. Always keep the box and take clear photos on opening the parcel. For general rules across shops, see returns and exchanges for fashion jewellery.
Can a broken clasp, hook or loop be repaired?
Usually yes, and cheaply. A local jeweller can replace a clasp, swap an earring hook or close an open jump ring in minutes, as long as the part is not too tiny or fragile. Take the piece along with a spare part if you have one, and describe what you need. Our guide on earring backs and closures explains the parts.
Can you reset or glue a loose stone?
Sometimes. A small dab of jewellery glue can hold a flat-back stone, but glue can mark the metal and does not suit every setting. Kundan work and glued stones can loosen from water and heat, so keep these pieces dry, as in our kundan cleaning guide. If several stones are loose, the setting has usually failed and replacing the piece is wiser.
Is re-plating a faded piece worth it?
It can be done by local jewellers and electroplating workshops, but the cost often only makes sense for a piece with sentimental or higher value, and fine detail can soften with each round. For most low-cost pieces, replacing is simpler. A faded finish at the edges can sometimes be refreshed by a dry buff, as covered in our plating care guide.
| Problem | Fixable? | Best route |
|---|---|---|
| Defect on arrival | Yes | Report with photos within 2 days |
| Broken clasp or hook | Usually | Local jeweller |
| One loose stone | Sometimes | Jewellery glue or jeweller |
| Faded plating | Costly | Dry buff, or replace |
| Tangled chain | Often | Patience and a pin |
| Snapped bead string | Sometimes | Restring only if worth it |
How do you untangle a chain without damaging it?
Lay the chain flat on a clean surface, add a tiny bit of baby powder to reduce friction, and tease the knot loose with two pins, working from the outside in. Do not pull, and do not use water. A fine chain that is kinked rather than tangled can often be straightened by hand.
When is it time to replace the piece?
Replace it when the repair costs close to the price of a new piece, when the base metal is showing through across most of the surface, or when the problem keeps coming back. Replacing also gives you a chance to choose a more durable style, such as lightweight pieces or antique finishes.
To avoid breakages in the first place, store each piece separately, close clasps before putting a necklace away, and keep heavy sets from hanging by a thin chain. Do not tug a piece through a dupatta or sweater, and take long necklaces off before hugging or sleeping. A thirty-second look at hooks, clasps and loose stones before a big function means you spot a problem while there is still time to swap in a backup piece, instead of discovering it in the car. Keep a small repair kit at home: a pair of fine tweezers, a few spare jump rings and earring hooks, a pin, and a tube of jewellery glue. Most small jobs take only a couple of minutes with these, and a spare pair of backs or hooks also rescues an earring that goes missing before a function.
If you are replacing a piece, browse long sets and haram, necklace sets, jhumkas, bangles and bracelets or jewellery under Rs 500.
More from this series: when to take jewellery off and how long artificial jewellery lasts. Browse by budget or outfit, read about us on our About page, or see all guides on the blog.
Questions about a piece? WhatsApp Saloni Fashion Jewellery on +91 98705 89560. Free shipping across India, dispatch in 1-2 days, delivery in 4-15 days.
