Replacing a missing crystal in a piece of jewellery is a satisfying repair that brings sentimental items back to life, and with the right approach you can match size, shape and colour with confidence. This step-by-step guide walks you through the process, including how to identify the right type of stone, get an accurate size match and secure the replacement neatly. The same techniques work for chatons, fancy stones and flatback crystals across all kinds of jewellery.
Do you have a favourite sentimental piece of jewellery that stays sadly tucked away in a drawer because it is missing a vital stone or two? It is an extremely common fate for many a once-loved heirloom, but it does not have to be the case for you. When rescuing an item that needs replacement Preciosa Crystals, finding the best size and colour match needs attention to several details, especially if the stones sit closely together, because a side-by-side comparison leaves little room for error.
Step By Step Repair Process
Follow our step-by-step repair process and learn the tools and tricks we use along the way. You can also watch our video tutorial below, where we replaced a missing Preciosa round stone on a client's keepsake ring.
- By closely examining the item from all angles you can determine which type of crystal you need. The key things to look for are:
- Does it sit on a flat surface like a flatback crystal?
- If it sits in a metal casing, can you see the back of the other crystals?
- If the stones are shaped on the back, do they come to a single point like a chaton or are they chiselled like a fancy stone?
- Are the backs of the other stones foiled or unfoiled?
- Next, you need to choose the right size of replacement Preciosa crystal. Measure the width of the space your new crystal needs to fill and consult the size chart on our website. Your "mm" measurement will likely convert into either an SS or PP crystal size.
- When colour matching, it really helps to have a physical example of the possible replacement crystal in front of you, and with a colour chart you can compare with confidence.
- If you are placing a stone into a metal casing, it helps to have a thin layer of glue to provide extra grip. We recommend applying a tiny amount of Gem-Tac glue into the metal casing for the crystal to sit in.
- If your crystal is too small for tweezers, you can use a Wax Picker Pencil to accurately place the stone in its new home.
- In jewellery, the crystal needs to sit at the right angle so its sparkle matches the other stones in the piece. To ensure this, you can adjust the position using bent tweezers for jewellery making.
- Most settings have small teeth or claws that need to be pressed into place. We recommend using a pair of chain nose pliers to gently press the teeth of the setting down over the edges to secure the crystal in place.
By following these simple steps, your jewellery piece can once again be worn in all its fabulous glory.
FAQs
How do I identify what type of crystal is missing from my jewellery?
Examine a remaining stone in the piece from all angles. If the back is flat, you need a flatback crystal. If the back comes to a single point, you need a chaton. If the back has multiple chiselled facets, you need a fancy stone. Check whether the back is foiled (silvered) or unfoiled (clear) — chatons in metal claw settings are usually foiled, while crystals set against a coloured backing are often unfoiled.
How do I measure a crystal to find the correct replacement size?
Measure the empty setting in millimetres using digital callipers or a precision ruler at the widest point. Convert your mm measurement to the SS or PP crystal sizing system using the Bluestreak crystal size chart. Common Preciosa chaton sizes include PP14 (2mm), PP24 (3mm) and SS39 (8mm). For flatbacks, SS9 to SS20 covers the most common jewellery sizes.
How do I match the colour of a missing crystal?
Compare a remaining stone against the Preciosa digital colour guide or order a physical colour chart for confident side-by-side matching. Examine the colour under daylight and warm light — some crystal effects shift between lighting conditions. For sentimental jewellery where colour-match is critical, order a sample of two or three closest colour options before committing to the full repair.
What glue should I use to secure a replacement crystal in jewellery?
Use Gem-Tac for chatons set into metal claw mounts — a small dot in the seat helps the stone sit at the correct angle before the claws are pressed down. Use E6000 Plus for permanent bonding in bezel settings or for flatback crystals on metal jewellery. Avoid super glue, which clouds the crystal surface and damages foiled backings.
What tools do I need to replace a missing crystal in jewellery?
Five tools cover most repairs: digital callipers or a precision ruler for sizing, bent tweezers for picking up larger stones, a wax picker pencil for stones under SS12, chain nose pliers for pressing claws and prongs, and a crystal size and colour chart. Gem-Tac or E6000 Plus adhesive secures the stone. Total cost of the basic toolkit is around £25.
Can I replace a missing crystal in costume jewellery the same way as fine jewellery?
The principles are the same but the settings differ. Costume jewellery often uses glued flatbacks in shallow bezel cups, replaceable with Gem-Tac or E6000 Plus. Fine jewellery typically uses pronged or claw mounts that need gentle pressing with chain nose pliers. Always work over a non-slip mat to catch any stones that drop, and replace the crystal in the same orientation as its neighbours so the sparkle pattern matches.
