How to Fix Your Broken Acrylic Jewellery

No matter how much you look after something, sometimes accidents happen. As someone who’s worn acrylic and resin jewellery for a very long time, it’s safe to assume that over the years, some items of mine have broken. It should bring a tear of joy to your eye to know that acrylic jewellery can absolutely be fixed and it’s easy to do. Today’s post will look at how to fix up a range of different acrylic jewellery pieces from brands such as Erstwilder, Lipstick and Chrome and She Loves Bloom. Here’s a guide to help you repair your acrylic brooch.

Common Acrylic Brooch Damage

  • Cracks: These can occur due to pressure or accidental drops.
  • Broken Clasps: The clasp might become detached or malfunction.
  • Faded Colors: Over time, exposure to sunlight and other elements can cause the colors to fade.
  • Scratches: Scratches can appear on the surface of the acrylic.

Tools and Materials

  • Clear Acrylic Cement: This is specifically designed for bonding acrylic.
  • Superglue: For smaller repairs or temporary fixes.
  • Fine-Grit Sandpaper: For smoothing edges and removing scratches.
  • Polishing Cloth: For buffing and restoring shine.
  • Tweezers or Pliers: To manipulate small parts.
  • Small Paintbrush: For applying adhesive.
  • Protective Gloves: To prevent skin irritation.

Repairing a Cracked Acrylic Brooch

  1. Clean the Area: Gently clean the cracked area with mild soap and water to remove any dirt or debris.
  2. Apply Adhesive: Use a small paintbrush to apply a thin layer of acrylic cement to both sides of the crack.
  3. Press Together: Carefully press the cracked pieces together and hold them firmly in place for several minutes.
  4. Secure with Tape: For added support, you can secure the area with masking tape while the adhesive dries.
  5. Allow to Dry: Let the adhesive dry completely according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Fixing a Broken Clasp

  1. Assess the Damage: Determine if the clasp is completely broken or if it can be reattached.
  2. Use Acrylic Cement: If the clasp can be reattached, apply acrylic cement to the broken parts and press them together firmly.
  3. Replace the Clasp: If the clasp is beyond repair, you can purchase a new one and attach it using a suitable method, such as sewing or gluing.

Dealing with Faded Colors

Unfortunately, faded colors are difficult to repair completely. However, you can try the following:

  • Avoid Further Damage: Keep the brooch away from direct sunlight and excessive heat.
  • Consider Repainting: If the fading is significant, you might consider repainting the brooch with acrylic paint.However, this should be done with care to avoid damaging the original design.

Removing Scratches

  1. Sand Gently: Use very fine-grit sandpaper to gently sand the scratched area in a circular motion. Be careful not to sand too aggressively, as this can damage the acrylic.
  2. Polish: After sanding, polish the area with a soft cloth to remove any scratches and restore the shine.

Additional Tips

  • Handle with Care: Always handle acrylic brooches gently to prevent further damage.
  • Store Properly: When storing your brooches, keep them in a soft pouch or jewelry box to protect them from scratches and dust.
  • Consider Professional Repair: If you’re unsure about repairing your brooch yourself, it might be best to consult a professional jeweler.

By following these steps and using the right tools and materials, you can often successfully repair your acrylic brooches and enjoy wearing them for years to come.

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Note: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions and thoughts expressed are solely my own and not influenced in any way. There are no affiliate links and I do not benefit from any link clicks or purchases made.

3 thoughts on “How to Fix Your Broken Acrylic Jewellery”

  1. diana says:
    Reply

    Hi–what do you mean by clear acrylic cement? Do you have a link or a brand to recommend? (I think of acrylic cement as Weld-On 3 or Weld-on 4–is that what you mean?

    • missmonmon says:
      Reply

      Hello! So my Dad always refered to it as ‘acrylic cement’ as thats what I believe it was called “back in the day” but it just refers to a very strong adhesive such as E6000. There used to be many two-part acrylic adhesives but my local hardware stores don’t stock them any more so I can’t remember a specific brand name. E6000 (use in ventalated area!) is my go-to. Hope this helps a little!

      • Diana Yousef says:

        Thanks for your reply! So, I’ve never managed to get E6000 to work for me. It’s too rubbery–am I using it wrong? I was trying to fix an acrylic brooch where one of the pieces cracked off when I dropped it. The vendor told me to use E6000, but I never have luck with it–it doesn’t cure hard enough. I ended up fixing it with a little bit of Gorilla Clear super glue and then on the back I put a layer of UV resin. But the crack is still visible on the front–I couldn’t figure out a way to avoid that without risking some adhesive or resin oozing onto the front face and ruining the brooch. But what’s the trick with E6000 to get it to really stick something and not be a mess?

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