Chain alterations in-store vs at a jeweler

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

M

mohagenka

Member
May 30, 2021
43
162
#1
After much deliberating (and posting said deliberations on PurseForum, LOL) I settled on a birthday gift—went to T&Co with family today and got to choose my first-ever Tiffany piece! (I have a square T ring but I don’t really count it because I literally LOST it almost immediately after receiving it from a friend. Also, I didn’t get to pick it out in store, and the in-store SA/tryon experience is really important to me!)

I chose the Paloma Picasso “X” necklace in yellow gold. However, I realized after purchasing that I’d be layering it with other necklaces; I wear a Van Cleef pendant at ~ 16” everyday, so I’d want to wear the T&Co at a 14 or 15 rather than at the 16 it comes on. I texted my SA and she said that there would be a charge for the alteration but didn’t specify how much it actually was. In your experiences, is a simple chain alteration at T significantly “marked up” from how much it would cost to go to a local jeweler for the same procedure? I was considering just getting the piece serviced nearby.

Thanks!! The necklace was out of stock in store so we ordered it home—so excited to receive very soon :)
 
#2
It was years ago, but I think I paid $100 to have about an inch added to a simple platinum chain. I would think the charge making yours smaller would be minimal. But, do make sure they return what they remove. It is gold after all.
 
#3
Hmm, I don’t know about price for chain removal but I did ask my SA how much an extension would be for my diamond pendant and I think he said $250 USD? Lol but that’s adding more gold so I’m sure it’s more expensive.

a couple things to consider:
1) If Tiffany does it, responsibility is on them. Which means, if they mess up, they will have to either fix it or compensate you in some way.
If a 3rd party does it and messes up, I don’t know if Tiffany would take it for repairs since I know for some brands, if you’ve had the item altered elsewhere, they won’t touch it.

2) Alteration wait time. Depending on the brand and location, waiting for a piece to be altered could be a long time. I don’t know how long the wait is for Tiffany, probably ask your SA.
I know to punch a hole in my Dior belt, they had to send it out and it took at least a month lol, to punch an extra hole :lol:

Hope that helps!
 
  • Like
Reactions: etudes, lulu212121, Shopgirl1996 and 2 others
#5
I just had a plain Tiffany rose gold chain extended 2 inches so I could wear it at both 18” and 20”. It took a little over 2 weeks and cost me $90. This was just a few weeks ago.

I had just purchased the chain a week before.
 
  • Like
Reactions: limom
#7
I would have Tiffany do the work.
I have had a terrible experience with a repair from a jewelry store on LI doing a repair on a Cartier watch. And they are well known and was an authorized dealer. I will never ever shop there.
Never again.
I have had rings enlarged by Tiffany and the work is seamless. It was expensive at the time but since it is expensive jewelry why take a risk?
 
  • Like
Reactions: etudes, Julezah, lulu212121 and 3 others
#10
I tried on a plain gold chain at Tiffany's two days ago and asked about having it shortened. My SA said that when you buy it new, they make that alteration for free.

Personally, I would always opt for having the maker alter an item, no matter the charge.
 
  • Like
Reactions: limom
#11
Still_Running said:
I tried on a plain gold chain at Tiffany's two days ago and asked about having it shortened. My SA said that when you buy it new, they make that alteration for free.

Personally, I would always opt for having the maker alter an item, no matter the charge.
Click to expand...

haha maybe it’s the SA or the store.
I bought my diamond solitaire necklace that day and asked for a potential extension and that’s when he told me it would cost $250 :P.

agree on asking the original maker to alter it regardless!
 
  • Like
Reactions: limom
#12
lill_canele said:
haha maybe it’s the SA or the store.
I bought my diamond solitaire necklace that day and asked for a potential extension and that’s when he told me it would cost $250 :P.

agree on asking the original maker to alter it regardless!
Click to expand...
I purchased the starfish bracelet on a silver chain in May, as a gift. I was told there is no charge to shorten a piece, but they do charge to lengthen. That makes sense to me since they need to use additional materials to make something longer.

To OP: I would consider calling or emailing customer service from the Tiffany’s online to confirm.
 
  • Like
Reactions: etudes and limom
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top