I had a customer bring in a gold rope chain,  that had broken on one end of the catch.  He wanted it soldered back together.  He had worn it through on one end,  and I pointed out that it was weak on the other end as well.  Customers do not always realize that the treasured piece of gold jewelry does wear.  Gold is a soft metal and therefore does not last as long on a joint or hinge as do stainless, platinum or other metals.  Platinum is a very soft, maluable metal,  but will not wear as fast as gold, due to it being much denser than gold.  I see alot of tennis bracelets and other link bracelets that break and customers are sad when I cannot guarantee a hinge repair on them.  But when I point out that if you have one break, then you will begin to have the rest of them break as well,  due to the other hinges weraing thin as well! They understand why.  It becomes expensive to replace all of the hinges at the same time.  I advise customers to keep and eye on the bracelet and fix them as they break,  until they no longer want to mess with it.  I have a couple of customers that own diamond tennis bracelets that love them,  and they fix them everytime they break.  I have replaced every hinge several times over in these bracelets.    So do not be afraid to wear them; but, know what will happen to this treasured bracelet.