Frequently Asked Questions

Below we've compiled answers to the most common questions to help you care for and protect your diamonds, gold and silver jewellery, lab-grown diamonds, and luxury or fashion watches.

Repair & Services FAQs

Watch Care & Maintenance FAQs

Gold, Silver, and Diamond Jewellery Care FAQs

Repair & Services FAQs

In-house ring sizing is typically quicker than external watch repairs. Timeframes depend on the brand and type of service required. Different watch brands have varying expected timeframes for repairs.
Rhodium plating typically lasts 6-12 months, depending on how often the jewellery is worn and its exposure to elements.
Items may be sent to our in-house workshop in Glasgow or external specialists. All items are fully insured while they are away.
We offer a variety of fonts. Our engraving is performed by machine to ensure accuracy
A faulty product has manufacturing defects, while accidental damage occurs due to mishandling. Product age doesn’t always indicate fault. For instance, if a claw breaks within 6 months and it's deemed accidental damage, it may not be covered by warranty or our diamond promise.
An estimate fee covers the cost of assessing the item's condition, even in RUD cases.
While you can seek external opinions, the only one we recognise for verification purposes is from the Birmingham Assay Office.
We have an in-house team of expert jewellers who will resize your ring. We only resize within a range that maintains the ring's structural integrity.

• To resize the ring to a larger size: Our jewellers carefully stretch the metal or add a small piece of metal to increase the size while ensuring the design remains intact. Any added metal will be blended seamlessly to match the original ring.
• To resize the ring to a smaller size: The jewellers remove a small portion of the band, then reshape and solder the ring back together. Afterward, the ring is polished to ensure the join is invisible and the band looks as good as new.
A quad ring or a quadruple band ring, refers to a ring design that features four interconnecting or overlapping bands. Due to the complex design and structure of these rings, they cannot be resized without compromising their integrity.
Over time, metal weakens, especially at high-wear points like the back of the band. This can cause the band to split. Our workshops can repair this for you, regardless of if the ring was purchased from Fraser Hart or elsewhere.
Rings with diamonds in a full eternity setting generally cannot be resized without compromising the design.
Yes, we provide expert servicing for luxury watches across various brands. To view our full list of brands we service, please visit our Repairs and Services page.

Gold, Silver, and Diamond Jewellery Care

Clean your gold jewellery regularly with a soft cloth, and avoid exposing it to harsh chemicals or chlorinated water.
Yes, silver tarnishes when exposed to air and moisture. Regular cleaning with a silver polishing cloth will help maintain its shine.
While diamond is a durable stone, daily wear can affect the setting. Regular inspections and professional cleaning are recommended.
Yes, lab-grown diamonds are chemically and physically identical to mined diamonds, but they are created in a lab environment.
We recommend having your diamond ring inspected every 6-12 months to ensure the setting is secure. All diamond rings sold by Fraser Hart are offered a free, regular inspection as part of our Diamond Promise.
White gold is a mix of gold and other metals, plated with rhodium for a bright finish. Platinum is a naturally white metal that’s more durable but heavier.

Watch Care & Maintenance

Since we service a wide variety of watch brands, all battery changes are handled by our qualified watch specialists in our workshop to ensure the best care for your timepiece.
Over time, the seals and gaskets that maintain your watch's water resistance can naturally wear down, allowing small gaps to form around key areas like the glass, case back, bezel, or crown. These micro gaps can let water and moisture in, compromising the watch's waterproofing. Factors like exposure to water, heat, or sudden temperature changes can accelerate this process.
The good news is, this is something our workshop can usually resolve. Our skilled technicians can replace worn seals, pressure test the watch, and restore its water resistance to ensure it’s safe for use in water again. Regular servicing is key to maintaining your watch’s water resistance.
Condensation can form due to sudden temperature changes. If the fog clears quickly, there's no issue. However, persistent moisture may indicate a problem with the water resistance. Booking your watch in for a service should identify any issues that may exist with your timepiece.
High consumption refers to a watch movement drawing excess power from the battery. A full service may be required to restore the watch to optimal working.
We recommend servicing luxury watches every 3-5 years, depending on the brand and usage.
Most fashion watches are not designed for swimming unless specifically marked as water-resistant to a suitable depth.
Signs include the second hand jumping, freezing, or the watch no longer keeping accurate time.
Automatic watches are powered by the movement of your wrist. If the watch hasn't been worn for a while, it may stop running. To get it started again, you can either wind the crown manually or wear the watch for a few hours to recharge it through motion. If the watch still doesn’t start, it may require servicing or a check-up by a professional.
Yes, automatic watches can still benefit from occasional winding, especially if you haven't worn the watch for a few days. Winding helps maintain its accuracy and keeps the movement running smoothly. You can wind it manually by turning the crown in a clockwise direction around 20-30 times, depending on the watch.
Movement of the second hand: The easiest way to distinguish between a quartz and an automatic watch is by observing the second hand. On a quartz watch, the second hand moves in distinct, ticking steps, jumping from one second to the next. In contrast, the second hand of an automatic watch has a smooth, sweeping motion, gliding continuously around the dial.
Power source: Quartz watches are battery-powered, meaning they rely on a battery to function. Automatic watches, on the other hand, are powered by the movement of your wrist or through manual winding, with no battery required.
Weight: Automatic watches often feel heavier due to the internal mechanisms (rotor, gears, etc.) that keep them running. Quartz watches, which have fewer internal components, tend to be lighter.