What Actually Protects Your Jewelry?
You’ve just received your new heirloom. It’s beautiful, meaningful, and designed to last for generations.
But naturally, questions follow:
- What happens if a prong wears down?
- What if a stone comes loose?
- What if the ring is lost or stolen?
- And what exactly is the difference between a warranty, a care plan, and insurance?
These terms are often confused, but they each serve a very different purpose. Understanding how they work together helps protect your jewelry for the long term.
Jewelry Warranty
Protection Against Manufacturing Defects
Think of a jewelry warranty like the manufacturer’s warranty on a new car. It covers issues related to craftsmanship or production defects — not everyday wear.
At The Leake Co., our Manufacturer’s Warranty covers defects in workmanship when we provide all materials for the piece.
Examples may include:
- Casting defects
- Structural manufacturing issues
What it does not cover is normal wear and tear over time.
Fine jewelry is worn daily and naturally experiences impact, pressure, friction, and gradual metal wear.
Even exceptionally well-made jewelry will eventually require maintenance.
Care Plans
Protection Against Everyday Wear & Tear
A Jewelry Care Plan is designed for the real-life maintenance that fine jewelry requires over time.
Prongs wear down. Rings go out of round. Chains break. Stones can loosen after years of everyday wear. These are not manufacturing defects — they’re part of owning and enjoying fine jewelry.
That’s where a care plan becomes valuable.
The Jeweler’s Mutual Care Plan, available on most new purchases through The Leake Co., helps cover common repair needs such as:
- Prong repair and retipping
- Ring resizing
- Polishing and refinishing
- Broken clasps or chains
- Cracked or thinning ring shanks
- Replacement of accent diamonds or gemstones due to defective settings
Clients may choose either:
- A 3-Year Care Plan
- An Extended/Lifetime-Term Care Plan
For many clients, this offers significant peace of mind — especially for engagement rings and everyday heirlooms.
For instance, for a $5000 engagement ring, the Lifetime Plan is available for purchase at $424.99. It even covers shipping to and from our studio, should you live outside of Louisville. For the lifetime of the ring, or up to the value of your ring.*. Even better? You don’t have to comply with routine inspections to keep your Care Plan valid.
*Terms and limitations apply.
Jewelry Insurance
Protection Against Loss, Theft & Major Damage
Neither a warranty nor a care plan replaces jewelry insurance.
Insurance is what protects you in the event of:
- Loss
- Theft
- Major accidental damage
- Mysterious disappearance
We strongly recommend scheduling your jewelry with your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance provider immediately after purchase. Many clients also choose specialized jewelry insurance providers such as Jewelers Mutual for broader coverage.
The Leake Co. is not an insurance provider and does not sell insurance policies.
Get an Insurance Quote with Jeweler’s Mutual
The Simplest Way to Think About It
Warranty
Covers manufacturing defects or issues related to craftsmanship.
Care Plan
Covers maintenance and repairs related to normal wear and everyday use.
Insurance
Covers loss, theft, mysterious disappearance, or major accidental damage.
Together, these three forms of protection help preserve your jewelry for years
— and often generations — to come.
