Jewelers in the UK have been praising a laser welding system that makes repair jobs on platinum rings considerably easier.

The StarWeld Performance from Rofin-Baasel has been designed to make the repairing of damaged claws, prongs or shanks much less complicated and jewelers have been impressed with the results.

According to Manufacturing Talk, it is the "controlled, localised nature of the heat input" that makes the device so useful, as it allows repairs to be completed without removing gemstones or enamel.

By welding with filler wire, jewelers have also been able to resize platinum rings more quickly than was previously possible.

David Shone, owner of England's Emson Haig, believes that the device is "the best thing I have got for my shop in five years".

"I say if you have any skill on the bench, you must have one," he added.

"We also use it to repair platinum rings," Mr Shone continues, "which as a consequence of the casting process can have porosity problems."

When working with platinum jewelry, technicians are reportedly able to achieve "excellent results" with "low power and no oxidisation".

Innovatively, the laser firing is controlled by a remote foot pedal, allowing the user to position the various parts with his or her hand. Manufacturing Talk suggests that even inexperienced operators will be able to use the equipment to great effect after a basic training session.