Is inlay jewelry durable?

Top inlay cuff bracelet made with a mosaic of seven different stones

When deciding whether or not to purchase a piece of inlay jewelry, you may ask: is it durable enough for everyday wear?

Yes—because of how stones are set in inlay jewelry, they’re held in place using a combination of tension and high-strength epoxy. The epoxy not only adheres the stone to the metal, it also provides a slight buffer if the piece bumps into something—making well-made inlay jewelry suitable for everyday wear.

Is inlay jewelry more fragile than other jewelry?

Not necessarily. In many cases, inlay can be just as durable as more traditional stone settings. Because inlaid stones is set into a layer of epoxy rather than held only by metal, there’s a small amount of cushioning that can help absorb minor impact.

That said, like any stone jewelry, the material itself can fracture under enough force. When that happens, it’s usually the stone (not the epoxy) that gives way. That is something that can also happen in prong or bezel settings, too.

More fragile stones, like this charoite, are best inlaid in earrings or pendants because they aren’t as hardy as other stones.

What damages inlay jewelry?

Inlay isn’t indestructible. Repeated hard impact or improper care can lead to wear over time. However, under normal daily use, carefully crafted inlay jewelry holds up very well.

Because I both create and repair inlay jewelry, I’ve worked on pieces that have lasted over 60 years before needing repair. In many of those cases, the inlay itself is still intact—the most common issue is just that the epoxy has aged and needs to be refreshed.

For most people, durability comes down to how the piece is worn and cared for day to day.

If you’re new to inlay jewelry, you can read a more in-depth explanation here.