I picked up this bolo for scrap a while ago and it has been sitting in my “deal with later” box of repairs ever since. The stone is probably just Kingman, but it has a good size.
As you can see, the bolo is missing a piece of the clasp (which should be an easy fix, just a few dollars to find another clasp and pop it in). I would then have to add some bolo cord and some sterling tips. The second option is to have the bolo clasp removed and have it turned into a pendant? I feel that bolos are a slow sell compared to other types of jewelry. What do you guys think? Keep it as a bolo or give it new life as something else?
Price price price, always comes down to price! I am guessing from the look of it that the bolo slide is soldered onto the silver. If that is the case you are looking at having to remove the stone from it’s setting to be able to heat it up enough to remove the slide. I know that jewelers can do amazing things with a lazer welder, but not sure they can cut through that much. All you are missing is the Wing on the slide. At fast perusal of the favorite auction sites might find everything you need in one listing. Otherwise most places you are looking at ordering from require minimums. The least of the slides I could find in Nickel was for an order 10 as the minimum. Tips are easy to find online, laces can be bought individually or by the foot. IF the slide is not soldered and was glued, then you have an easier task. I use simple green or the orange based cleaner to dissolve adhesives. Doesn’t damage the stones or the sterling. If that is the case you are looking at 30 bucks to have a bail lazer soldered onto the back. I have a stack of stuff in my drawers too. I usually get around to it in the fall. Repurposed stuff can really be treasures, just a matter of vision I suppose.
Another option is to keep it as it is, get your cord & tips and then snug up the open loop guides around the cord just enough so the bolo stays in place with minimal friction. I have several in that condition that don’t give me trouble and don’t show damage to the cord any more than clamping down does.
Hi, I think that if your goal is to sell it fast, give it new life as a pendant or an adjustable ring otherwise the effort it took to repair a bolo that might not move that quickly could be questionable. I like TryingToLearn’s idea if you decide to keep it.
Thanks for your responses everyone! This was meant as a piece to resell, I should have been more specific! No matter what I choose to do, there will be some costs involved. If I decided to keep it for myself I would probably have it turned into a ring!
