Jewelry Repair
We have a fully equipped jeweler’s workshop in-store with a state of the art laser welder and a jeweler onsite with more than 30 years of experience working as a goldsmith. The laser micro-welding system is an alternative to traditional solder torch practices that enhances our ability to provide the highest level of quality, craftsmanship, and service to our clients by giving us the ability to perform the welding process quickly and precisely without blemishing the welding surface.
In order for us to determine the necessary labor and potential risks involved in making any repair we need to see the item in person. Therefore we ask that you bring your item into the store so that we can discuss the details and accurately estimate the cost of the repair. You will need to leave the item with us while we complete your jewelry repair work. While in our store, your jewelry will be fully insured and kept in our fire and burglary proof vault in our store that is protected by the most secure alarm system available. The turnaround time for general jewelry repairs is typically one week but may vary depending on the circumstances.
Capabilities
- general jewelry repairs
- ring resizing
- jewelry refinishing, rhodium plating
- check/tighten/re-tip/buildup prongs
- stone setting
- pearl restringing
Custom Jewelry
If your jewelry needs go beyond the services we are able to provide in our store, we have a custom jeweler that works with us to complete more involved jobs. We will work with you to figure out your specific needs and desires, and our custom jeweler will create a unique piece of jewelry to meet your individualized requests.
Capabilities
- stone & pearl matching/replacing
- resize eternity bands
- craft custom designs
Engraving
Our onsite newly upgraded engraving machine is capable of engraving in a variety of fonts on virtually any solid metal or glass surface within certain size limitations. A bottle of wine or a set of drinking glasses engraved and embossed is a perfect way to personalize a gift for any special occasion. We also offer free engraving for police officers wishing to personalize handcuffs, guns, or batons. For a more unique look, we offer the option to have items professionally hand-engraved.
When having an item engraved it is important that we have explicit instructions. The content, location, size and style of the engraving may be limited by the size and shape of the item being engraved. Therefore it is important that we discuss all jobs with you in detail before we begin. The turnaround time for an engraving job may vary depending on individual circumstances, but any job can generally be completed in one week or less.
Capabilities
- machine engraving
- hand engraving
Appraisals
Our staff of trained jewelry professionals is certified to appraise jewelry for insurance purposes. Each item of jewelry must be examined in depth in order to accurately determine its value and therefore it may be necessary for you to leave your items with us for them to be appraised. While in our store, your jewelry will be fully insured and kept in our fire and burglary proof vault in our store that is protected by the most secure alarm system available. The turnaround time for appraisals will depend on the specific item or items being appraised. We need to see the items in person to determine the amount of time we will need to complete the appraisal process.
Licensed Gold Buyer
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department has granted Karat Patch Jewelry a Precious Metals Dealer Permit that certifies our compliance with the requirements in Article 25, Chapter 66 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, which authorizes Karat Patch as a legally operating precious metals business.
The amount of money you will be offered for your gold, platinum or sterling silver is determined by the metal’s current market value, the gram weight, and the purity of the metal being sold. As the market is constantly changing, we base our offer on the current market value of the metal at the time the purchase is made. The market value of a precious metal refers to the value of 1 troy ounce of the metal in its pure form. When used to make jewelry, precious metals are mixed with alloys to create different purity levels. Jewelry is stamped with the purity of the precious metal it contains. 24 karat gold is pure gold. A stamp of 10K or .417 signifies a gold content of 41.7% (or 10/24), a stamp of 14K or .585 signifies a gold content of 58.5% (or 14/24), and a stamp of 18K or .750 signifies a gold content of 75% (or 18/24). Gold that is higher than 18K is more pure, and thus more valuable, but it is not commonly found in the U.S. Gold below 10K cannot be sold as “karat gold” in the U.S. Platinum used in jewelry is typically 90-95% pure and is stamped with the purity. For example platinum that is 90% pure may be stamped PT900. If it is 95% or more pure platinum is stamped PLAT. Sterling silver is 92.5% pure and is stamped 925, .925, 92.5, or STER.