I have received an omega chain neckpiece that has been damaged. The
chain mesh inside the outer layer has been pulled apart partially. I
haven’t a clue how to repair it nicely. Has anyone out there repaired
this type of chain with satisfactory results? I could cut the chain
completely in two at the break and try to solder it back together but
I’m afraid to make a mess of it.
Hello Robert,
Some things are not ment to be. Without seeing it to be sure, I think
this won’t repair without an obvious joint. Maybe one of the lasar
wizards could perform the necessary miracle.
If the break is anywhere near the center of the chain length, perhaps
you could cut out the break and solder in a decorative piece that is
the proper length. It changes the omega, but would allow continued
use.
Let us know how this works out,
Judy in Kansas
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This is by no means the only way, just the way I have done it
before. This is my first reply so bear with me. First, I would go
ahead and cut the chain in two. Then I would solder the inner chain
to the outer layer with a medium solder. Do this to each end of the
omega. Clean up the loose ends of the omega so that they fit
together flush. Position the two ends together being careful to
match the curve of the omega. Now solder the ends together with easy
solder. Just remember to firecoat and flux accordingly and don’t use
to much solder. You are just trying to solder the loose ends
together without solder flowing down the omega and creating stiff
places. Also when I polish an omega repair, I like to polish with
the solder joint and not across it like you would on a ring shank.
This drags out some of the solder creating a line which in this case
is good because it makes it match the rest of the omega. Hope this
helps a little, but like I said, this probably isn’t the only way
its just the way I’ve done it before.
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The best way is a laser, that way you preserve the temper and you
don’t end up with a stiff spot, the other way would be to, if its
close to the clasp, remove the bad links right up to the clasp,
shorten it a bit, and carefully solder it back to the clasp,
Paul. Bensel
http://www.paulbensel.com
Hi Robert.
To do a real clean job on an Omega, you almost need to have it done
on a lazer. I have done a few on mine, and all I did was clean up the
wire ends and butt weld the 2 links together from the inside. You do
end with 2 links connected, but that is a far cry from a whole bunch
if the torch managed solder gets away on you. The repair is virtually
invisible from the front of the chain.
Dave
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Hi Robert,
We repair omega chains frequently and some are made better then
others. If its a true omega chain, it has a mesh core with shaped
tubing links that cover the front and back of the chain and can be
repaired pretty nicely. The cheaper versions with out the solid core
don’t repair well and will show work done to them. Our shop uses
both torch and laser and in most cases, with omega chains I like to
use the water torch. We cut the omega in two, leaving any damaged
links in place for the moment. Then apply easy solder to both of the
ends making sure to lay it across both the mesh and the outer shaped
tubing. I then take a separating disc and make the ends very neat
and square removing all of the damaged links (it’s usually only two
or three). Lay the pieces together and gently heat the pre-soldered
joint. The solder will find itself and join the chain neatly. You
may need to scribe the link joint line back in. Because the omega
chain is stiff to begin with, a bit of solder at the joint won’t
effect the way it lays on the neck.
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This is very informative. I have an omega chain that is 14k yellow gold on one side and white gold on the opposite side. One of the links on the yellow gold side popped off. I managed to catch it whe it happened so I have the link. I took it to a high end jeweler for repair and was in total disbelief when they said they couldn’t repair it.
I’m still somewhat new to bench jewelry and have only ever soldered silver using a torch (experimenting with soldering gold is WAY OUT of my budget). I might would attempt the repair myself IF it were sterling silver but it isn’t. Anyway, after reading your post, I think I just need to find a different jeweler who’s capable of such repairs. So glad I found your post. Thanks!
Tammy O.
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