Frequently Asked Questions
"How do I get an estimate?"
We really need to see the piece in order to give an accurate
estimate. You can email us a picture, or call us with the description
of your item; although, the best option is to simply ship the item to us
with your name, address and phone number, along with a request for
an estimate for the work that you'd like to have done. We'll contact
you with the estimate before proceeding. If at that point you choose
not to have the work done, we will simply ship the item back to you
at no charge (except for insurance over $100).
"How long does it take?"
Repair and refinishing times will vary. On average, our lead times
are approximately 12 to 14 weeks. During busy seasons, this may be
longer.
"How do I know if the piece is worth refinishing?"
First of all, we must stress that we are not qualified appraisers.
We do, however, have some idea of what is collectible or valuable, so
we always try to inform our customers when the cost of refinishing
far outweighs the value of their item. In cases like that, we leave it
entirely up to the customer to decide if the sentimental value of their
item warrants spending the money to have it refinished. A good rule
of thumb is that if you like a piece, use it, or it has sentimental
value, then it's probably worth refinishing.
"Will plating fill in the engraving?"
No, it will not. This is a common concern with our customers, but
we can assure you that if a piece is polished and plated properly, the
engraving will not be affected. The only time engraving can be filled
in, or removed, is when the plater uses a base coat of nickel, which is
thicker than silver, or if the polisher, in prepping the piece, is not
careful and polishes the engraving out. We will make you aware if
the engraving is too light to begin with, or if there are any scratches
or pits near the engraving that cannot be removed without damaging
the engraving.
"Does replating ruin the value of my piece?"
This is a very common misconception. The answer is almost
always, "No." In years of research, we have found that if a piece is
electroplated to begin with, having it re-electroplated will simply
restore it to its original beauty. The process we use to plate items
has remained virtually unchanged since the turn of the century. We
specialize in replating antiques. We work with antique dealers and
collectors nationwide because we don't make the pieces look brand
new, we make them look restored. Most of our competitors use
nickel as a base coat, which can give silverplated items a chromey or
cheap look. We apply the silver directly to the base metal, which is
the process that should be used. The only time you definitely
shouldn't resilver a piece is if it is Sheffield plate. These pieces are
fairly rare and were silvered by rolling a thin layer of pure silver over
copper.
"What can you tell me about this mark on the bottom?"
If you'd like to learn more about your silver marks, hallmarks,
trademarks and/or maker's marks, this online encyclopedia is a great
reference and research tool for vintage and antique sterling silver.
It's even free! There are American and International categories as
well as a silverplate section and numerous other helpful links. Spend
some time to get to know your silver!
