Antique Silver Restoration

It depends on the piece and what's done. Sympathetic restoration that preserves hallmarks and period character usually maintains or improves value, especially if the silver was badly tarnished or worn. Overly aggressive restoration or removing original patina can sometimes reduce collector value. We discuss this before starting and recommend the approach that makes sense for your specific piece.

Yes. We take care around hallmarks during cleaning, polishing, and plating. Hallmarks are crucial for dating and valuing antique silver, so we work carefully to preserve them. If hallmarks are already worn or faint, we can't restore them, but we won't make them worse.

It depends on the piece, the era, and your preference. Some Victorian silver suits a high polish. Georgian pieces often look better with a softer, aged finish. We discuss what's appropriate for your specific item and let you decide. Not every antique benefits from being made to look brand new.

Sterling silver is solid silver (92.5% pure) and will have hallmarks. Silver plate is a thin layer of silver over base metal like copper or brass. Both can be restored, but the approach differs. Sterling can be polished more aggressively. Silver plate needs gentler handling since the silver layer is thin and can wear through.

Yes. Silver stored in damp conditions, attics, or left untouched for decades develops heavy tarnish and sometimes corrosion. Most of this can be removed with proper cleaning and restoration. Send photos and we'll let you know what's possible.

We can, but we discuss whether it's the right choice first. Some antique silver plate has collector value even when worn. Re-plating changes the piece and removes the aged character. For heavily worn pieces with no collector premium, re-plating often makes sense. For rarer items, we recommend a lighter approach.

We do our best. If you have a tea service or set of serving pieces where one item needs more restoration than others, we aim to match the finish so everything looks consistent. Perfect matching isn't always possible, especially with very old pieces, but we get as close as we can.

Send us photos of the hallmarks and the piece itself. We can give you a sense of whether professional restoration is worth it. For family pieces with sentimental value, restoration often makes sense regardless of market value. For items you're considering selling, we'll advise honestly on whether restoration will add enough value to justify the cost.

Yes. We're in Harrow, London. Bringing antique pieces directly often works better, especially for valuable or fragile items. We can assess them properly, discuss options face to face, and you don't have to worry about posting. Call 07391 007 123 first to arrange a time.

Yes. We've worked on silver from Georgian through to mid-20th century. Each period has different styles and finishes, and we adjust our approach to suit. Whether it's Georgian simplicity, Victorian ornate decoration, Edwardian elegance, or Art Deco lines, we understand what's appropriate for each era.