FAQ – Your Questions, Our Answers

Bijouterie Diplomate offers jewelry and watch repair, custom jewelry design, laser engraving, jewelry appraisals for insurance, daily gold purchasing, and ear piercing with the Inverness system. All our services are performed on-site in Plateau Mont-Royal by Ralph Kelendji, a jeweler for over 60 years. We are also authorized retailers for Tissot, Casio, Citizen, Victorinox, and Bering.

Most of our services—repairs, cleaning, battery replacement, ear piercing, gold buying—are available on a walk-in basis during our business hours. For custom jewelry projects or insurance appraisals, an appointment is recommended to ensure you have enough time with Ralph. Call us at 514 524-2233 to check availability.

Bijouterie Diplomate is located at 1144 Mont-Royal Avenue East, a few minutes from Mont-Royal metro station (orange line). Opening hours: Monday 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Tuesday to Friday 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Saturday 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. We are closed on Sundays.

Yes, without exception. We repair and service jewelry and watches of all origins, whether they were purchased from us, another jeweler, or abroad. What matters is the quality of the work – not where the item was purchased.

Yes. The initial assessment is always free and without obligation. Bring your jewelry or watch to the store — Ralph will examine the piece, explain what's possible, and provide you with a clear quote before any work begins.

We repair rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, brooches, pearl necklaces and antique jewelry of all kinds — in gold, 925 sterling silver, platinum or plated metal. If you are unsure about the feasibility, bring the piece to the shop and we will tell you directly what is possible.

The price depends on the type of service: a simple crimping or clasp replacement starts around a few tens of dollars, while a complete restoration of an antique piece or a complex resizing can go higher depending on the materials. We always provide a free, detailed quote before starting — no surprises along the way.

Most sizings are ready in 3 to 7 business days, depending on the workshop's workload and the complexity of the ring. Some pave or eternity rings require more care and may take a little longer. We will inform you of the precise timeframe at the time of drop-off.

Yes, it's one of our specialties. We restore antique jewelry while preserving its original character: straightening, soldering, replacing missing stones, delicate polishing, reinforcing hinges. Ralph examines each piece under a magnifying glass before suggesting an approach—the goal is always to respect the object's history.

Yes. All our repairs are covered by a 2-year warranty on our workmanship, excluding normal wear and tear and accidental damage. If anything goes wrong within this period following our intervention, we will correct it at no additional charge.

Battery replacement is one of our fastest services — often completed the same day while you wait. The price varies depending on the watch model. Visit our store without an appointment, and we will provide the exact price on-site after examining the watch.

Yes. A complete overhaul—disassembly, cleaning, lubrication, timing adjustment, water-resistance testing—takes several days to several weeks, depending on the brand and complexity of the movement. We will provide you with a precise timeframe upon drop-off, as well as a quote before any work is performed.

We repair the vast majority of wristwatches: Tissot, Casio, Citizen, Victorinox, Bering, Seiko, and many major prestige brands. For certain brands whose parts require an official service center, we will clearly inform you and guide you through the proper process — we never perform work that we cannot guarantee.

Yes, we adjust and replace steel, leather, rubber, and NATO watch straps. The service is quick and often done while you wait. Bring your watch to the store to see the available options.

It all starts with a conversation in our shop. You come in with an idea, a photo, a sketch or an existing piece of jewellery to transform — Ralph listens to you, asks questions about the style, the metal, the stones and the budget, then proposes a design. We then move on to a model, manufacturing in the workshop, setting and finishing, right up to hand delivery. Each step is validated with you before moving on to the next.

Our custom creations typically start at $500, depending on the metal, stones, and design complexity. An engagement ring with a natural or lab-grown diamond most often falls between $1,500 and $5,000, but we work with all budgets—Ralph always presents a full quote before starting, with no obligation.

Yes, it's one of our most frequent creations. We make engagement rings, matching wedding bands, complete sets, and transform family jewelry—for example, resetting an inherited stone into a new design. Each piece is unique and crafted in our workshop in the Plateau.

The timeframe varies depending on the project's complexity. A simple band can be ready in 2 to 4 weeks. A more elaborate project—an engagement ring with pavé, the transformation of an antique piece, or a piece with multiple stones—can take 4 to 8 weeks. We provide a realistic timeframe at the consultation and keep you informed at every stage.

Yes. We carry out official jewelry appraisals for your insurance, inheritance, sales, or division purposes. Ralph examines each piece under a magnifying glass, tests the materials if necessary, and provides a detailed written report with a complete description and estimated value based on the current market.

The report describes the piece in detail: metal, stones (type, carat, approximate quality), finishes, estimated weight, and market replacement value. This document is signed by the jeweler and recognized by major insurers. If you have GIA certificates or purchase receipts, bring them along – they help refine the appraisal.

Contact us at 514 524-2233 for pricing based on the number of items to be appraised. The initial consultation in-store is always free and without obligation — Ralph examines your items and explains the process before any fees are incurred.

Bring your gold jewelry, coins, or other gold items to the store—no need to sort or prepare them. We will weigh them, test the purity (10K, 14K, 18K), and transparently explain the price calculation. If you are satisfied with the offer, you will leave with a check immediately. There is no obligation to sell.

The price is based on the daily international market price of gold, adjusted according to the fineness (carat) of your coins. We explain the calculation clearly before any decision — you never leave with a figure without understanding how it was determined.

Yes. We buy gold in all its forms: broken or mismatched jewelry, gold coins, gold watches, silverware, and sometimes diamonds depending on their quality and size. If you are unsure of the value of what you have, bring it in — the appraisal is free.

We laser engrave rings, wedding bands, watches (case back or side), bracelets, pendants, and promotional items (pens, plaques, medals). If you have a specific item in mind, bring it to the store — we'll tell you immediately if it's feasible.

Most engravings are ready the same day or within a few hours, depending on the workshop's workload. We will inform you of the exact turnaround time at the time of drop-off. For large volume corporate orders, please contact us in advance.

The limit depends on the available surface on the item and the font size chosen. For an inscription inside a wedding ring, we generally work with a maximum of 20 to 30 characters. Bring your item and your text — we will show you what is possible before proceeding.

We pierce children's ears from 3 months old with the Inverness system. For children under 12, the presence of a parent or guardian is mandatory. For adults and teenagers, the service is available without an appointment during our opening hours.

No, piercings are done on a walk-in basis during opening hours. During busy periods (Friday evenings, Saturdays), a short wait may be necessary. Call us at 514-524-2233 to check availability if you are coming with children.

We exclusively use the Inverness system, the world leader in ear piercing for jewelry stores. The instruments are sterile and single-use. Starter earrings are available in 316L surgical steel or 14K gold, minimizing the risk of allergic reaction during healing.

Clean your piercing twice a day with the antiseptic solution provided and gently twist the earrings. Avoid pools, spas, and prolonged water contact for the first 6-8 weeks. Keep your Inverness earrings in for the entire period — do not change them before returning to us for a check-up.

Yes. For jewelry purchased from us, we offer free professional cleaning for life. For pieces from other sources, a basic cleaning can sometimes be done on-site during your visit — ask our team when you stop by. We recommend professional cleaning every 6 months to check the condition of the stones and clasps.

For sterling silver, avoid contact with household products, chlorine, and cosmetics—remove your jewelry before washing your hands or cleaning. A soft microfiber cloth is sufficient for routine maintenance. For a deeper polish, bring your pieces to the store.

Every 6 months or so — especially for rings worn daily, which accumulate dust, creams, and dirt under the stones. Regular cleaning also helps detect slightly loose stones or clasps that are starting to wear out, before a problem occurs.

We deliver throughout Canada via Canada Post with tracking. Orders are processed within 1 to 2 business days. Delivery times vary depending on the destination and the service chosen (standard or express). You will receive a tracking number by email upon shipment.

Unworn items in their original condition may be returned or exchanged within 14 days of receipt with proof of purchase. Custom, engraved, or altered jewelry cannot be returned. For watches, returns are only accepted if the item is intact and unworn. If you have any issues, please contact us at 514 524-2233 — we always find a solution.

In store, we accept all major credit and debit cards, as well as contactless payments. Online, payments are secured via Shopify (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and others). For large custom projects, we accept payments in stages — to be discussed with Ralph during your consultation.

Take pictures of the packaging and item before fully opening it, then contact us immediately at info@bijouteriediplomate.com or at 514 524-2233. We will handle the claim process and replace or refund the item as soon as possible.