How to Replace Odd Shape Acrylic Crystals on Wrist Watch

Finding odd shaped replacement crystals is an adventure.

Beautiful odd shaped acrylic crystals can be found on the face or band of some wrist watches. With the sheer volume of endless varieties of colors and shapes that acrylic crystals can be created in, they lend themselves well to application on watches, jewelry, and even clothing. Unfortunately, extended use, overuse, rough use, or getting caught in the washer or dryer can break the bond of the adhesive holding the acrylic crystals or artificial gemstones in place, creating the need to replace missing or damaged odd shaped acrylic crystals.

Things You'll Need

• Tweezers
• Needle nose pliers (jewelry)
• Thick sewing needle
• Pin
• Smooth butter knife
• Ruler
• Acrylic crystals
• Artificial gemstones
• Acrylic crystal adhesive
• Gemstone glue

Instructions

1. 

   Match the missing crystal or replace them all?

   Determine if you are going to attempt to replace the odd shape acrylic crystals on your watch by matching the missing artificial gemstones or by replacing all the acrylic crystals with a new set.

2. 

   Jewelry needle nose pliars are designed for replacing crystals and gemstones.

   Remove a broken, damaged, or cracked acrylic crystal from a prong or crevice by using a pair of tweezers, needle nose jewelry pliers, thick sewing needle, or thick pin by gently wedging the thin metal tip between the remaining acrylic crystal piece and the wrist watch or watch band and breaking the glue bond or seal. Use tweezers, a smooth butter knife, or a filed fingernail to break the bond and remove acrylic crystals from a watch band or smooth surface.

3. 

   Measure the odd shape crystals in millimeters (mm).

   Measure the odd shaped acrylic crystal or the prong space to hold the crystal or the general space the replacement crystal needs to cover in millimeters using a ruler.

4. 

   Hunt and find the perfect replacement acrylic crystals and gemstones.

   Find and select the perfect replacement for the odd shaped acrylic crystals at a local jewelry and bead store, through an online speciality gem retailer, through an online auction, or at a custom jewelry store. Odd shaped acrylic crystals and artificial gemstones can also be found at thrift stores, yard sales, flea markets, antique stores, and craft stores. The replacement acrylic crystal will need to be the same size or slightly larger than the original to fit the prongs or crevice or to cover the previous area on the wrist watch band.

5. 

   Use tweezers to replace small odd shapes crystals and gemstones.

   Glue the replacement acrylic crystals to the crevice in the face of the watch or on wrist watch band using adhesive. An epoxy adhesive typically does not yellow, shatter, or cloud acrylic crystals that lack a back. Acrylic crystals with a flat bottom or backing can be affixed with a wider range of adhesives. Use jewelry pliers to slightly pry open prongs, replace the acrylic gemstone with tweezers or pliers, and gently close the prongs. Jewelry pliers can be purchased at most stores with a craft department.

Tips & Warnings

• Specially formulated adhesives and glues for jewelry repair and acrylic crystal application and repair can be found in craft departments, sewing stores, arts and craft stores, and art and paint stores.

• If the wrist watch is an antique or an heirloom, for instance antique custom jewelry, let a antique restorer or jewelry professional handle all of the replacements and repairs.

References

• Land of Odds: Crafter's Delimma - What Glue Do I Use?
• Glass Attic (Artist) Encyclopedia: Glue and Adhesive Encyclopedia