Check your Jewelry is Secure
#6939 Deco/Retro dress clips. 
How often do I read a description of a beautiful piece of jewelry that ends with the phrase 'one diamond missing' or 'missing 2 emeralds'? Fine jewelry, but with missing bits. Why is that?
As we know, gold is soft, stones are hard. After time and repeated wear, the tiny gold (or other metal) prongs that hold the gems are bent or damaged in some way. This prevents them from doing their job, which is holding the gem in place. It doesn't take much more than a slight movement, let alone a small knock and the gem is gone. Most often, the wearer doesn't even notice when it falls out. 
#5293 flower brooch with tons of gems.
More than once, I've taken an item out of the safe only to find that a stone has fallen out. The jewel was not even worn and the stone fell out. How much more so when we actually wear it?
If you find the missing gem, it makes restoration that much more successful. You have the original and it matches the item. If you do not have the gem, then it is a huge job to find something that matches. Sometimes, it is almost impossible. You may need a particular cut, a particular size, a particular color and that exact gem might be very difficult to find. How would you match an antique cabochon or a calibre cut aqua? Almost every gem has a different tone or shade. Go match it!!
#6517 Holbeinesque pendant.
When I wrote about taking care of your jewelry, I mentioned the need to periodically have your jewelry checked. Take it to your jeweller and have him/her/they make sure that all settings are secure. No, I did not say this to drum up business for someone I don't know. I said it to help you ensure that your jewelry is in good condition and that you will enjoy wearing it.
Even a tiny diamond will leave a black hole when it is missing. A mis-matched replacement gem is better, but can stand out like a sore thumb. That detracts from the jewel, both aesthetically and of course financially.
While your jeweller is checking the prongs, have them check the security of the little gold loops that connect some components of jewelry. Any potential point of weakness caused by wearing away of the soft metal over years of use and wear.
If something is not quite secure, have it fixed. The earlier you find the problem, the better the outcome for the jewelry.
Tiny solder marks on the back of a jewel, so often decried by a generation demanding 'mint in box', are a sign that previous owners took care of their jewelry. Perhaps we should see it in a new and more positive light.
Owning anything of value comes with a responsibility. It is our job to look after our beautiful jewels that bring us so much pleasure. The luxury of owning beautiful jewelry also means that we have to ensure it goes down to future generations in good shape. Check your jewelry!
#6836 tortoises or turtles covered in gems.
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