Is there a way to re-plate Silver?

Question

I have a lovely little necklace charm that my niece gave me - it is made in a Silver filigree pattern. Some of the plating has rubbed off leaving it looking a bit metallic! Is there any way to re-plate it as it has a lot of sentimental value to me?

Answer 1

If your necklace is large enough to polish, there are silver polishes that add a fine layer of silver instead of rubbing it off. Here's a link to one: http://caswelleurope.co.uk/replate.htm I got mine off Kleeneeze, but I don't know if they still do it. I use it on a EPNS lid of a glass jam server that belonged to my grandmother in the 1920s.
Those silver filigree items often have only a thin micron of silver plating in the first place, and you might be fighting a losing battle with the re-silvering polish. If it has real sentimental value over and above its market worth that makes you want to fork out for proper re-plating, you could ask one of the expert re-plating businesses to do the job properly, eg: http://www.sheffieldsilverware.com/?gclid=CPy1wNLz0o4CFQVhMAodgjlj7g but it will be very expensive!

Answer 2

Take it to a jewelry store or one that sells sterling silver flatware and silver plate. They can put you in touch with a plater who is accustomed to working with small items. It's really a pretty simple operation.