Silver Refurbishing & Plating in Hamburg

My father, who founded the Altonaer Silberwerkstatt, always used to say:

"If silver isn't used, it gets so annoyed it turns black."

Don't throw your silver away when it looks worn or is damaged. Since 1997 we have been refurbishing, silver-plating and gilding silverware as silversmiths in Hamburg-Altona, helping people hold on to both value and memories.

Inherited some silver? We're here for you.

Make an enquiry Book an assessment (€25) +49 40 38 61 48 58 Message us on WhatsApp

What does silver plating cost?

Every piece is different. Here are the most common jobs as a rough guide:

Polishing cutlery

Tarnished or dull cutlery cleaned and polished back to a shine.

from €8

Re-plating cutlery

Worn silver layer renewed — cutlery comes back looking new.

from €35

Re-plating a teapot

Full restoration including disassembly, cleaning, re-plating and reassembly.

from €290

Gilding

We gild electrolytically — silver, but other metals too.

on request

Not sure what your piece needs? Just bring it in or send us a photo. We'll take a look and tell you honestly what makes sense.

What we work on

We work on almost all silverware — plated, sterling silver or gilded:

Candelabras & candlesticks

Cutlery & flatware

Bowls & dishes

Plates & trays

Teapots & coffee pots

Jewellery

Heirlooms & antiques

Gilded objects

Candlesticks, cutlery and pots are what we see most often. But plated objects that have long lost their silver layer can be re-plated too. We work electrolytically, in a galvanic bath, which lasts far longer than anything you could apply at home. We can gild as well, and not only silver.

Inside the workshop

Silver refurbishing and plating in Hamburg-Altona.

Refurbished silver cutlery on a workbench at the Altonaer Silberwerkstatt Hamburg

Silversmith at Altonaer Silberwerkstatt re-plating a candlestick

Silver pot being refurbished and polished at the workshop in Hamburg

Silversmith refurbishing a silver spoon at the Altonaer Silberwerkstatt

How it works

Get in touch

Write to us, call or come by in Hamburg-Altona. A photo of your piece is usually enough for a first assessment.

Assessment

We look at your piece and tell you honestly what the work will cost. You decide from there.

Book online for €25 →

Collection or shipping

Drop it off in person or send it to us securely. Once done, we'll ship it back or you can collect it.

Frequently asked questions

What does "refurbishing silver" mean?

Refurbishing covers cleaning, polishing, grinding and, where needed, re-plating. We bring back the original shine and function of the piece.

Can I silver-plate something myself?

Cleaning and polishing you can do well at home. Real silver plating you can't: it needs a galvanic bath, the right current and a properly prepared surface. Products sold for home use only leave a thin layer that comes off quickly. A proper galvanic re-plating lasts 30 to 50 years.

What does polishing in the workshop achieve?

We polish far more thoroughly than is possible at home, which also removes smaller scratches. One thing to bear in mind: polishing always removes material. On heavily worn pieces, re-plating may be needed afterwards.

When does silver need re-plating?

For cutlery, usually around every 30 years. Depending on use and wear, a layer can last considerably longer. We'll look at your piece and tell you honestly whether it's needed at all.

Can silver be given a tarnish-resistant coating?

Unfortunately not. Stove lacquers used to be applied for this, but they didn't prove reliable and are no longer permitted today. As soon as the lacquer was damaged by wear, the silver underneath tarnished and could no longer be cleaned. What does make cleaning much easier is our ASW silver soap.

Is it worth refurbishing old silver?

Very often, yes. Older silverware is made of high-quality materials that can be repaired, unlike porcelain. And then there's the sentimental value of heirlooms, which can't be replaced.

Can I send my piece in?

Yes. When you book the assessment, you'll receive a return label for shipping within Germany (insured up to €500). For more valuable pieces, please get in touch with us first.

Do I need an appointment?

No. You can simply come to our shop in Hamburg-Altona, no appointment needed. We'll take a look right away.