San Francisco Silversmiths · Since 1977
Mail-In Silver Restoration & Repair
- Send a Photo, Get a Quote -
Trust Your Treasures to Silver Restoration and Repair Experts
Biro & Sons is a family-owned San Francisco silversmith founded in 1977. Our experts in repairing, restoring, and polishing silver rely on generations of experience and old-world craftsmanship to return family heirlooms, flatware sets, and serving pieces back to their original glory. We do all work in our San Francisco shop.
The Items We Repair
We have decades of experience repairing, restoring, and polishing silver, sterling silver, copper, brass, and exotic metal items.
- Flatware
- Candelabras
- Candlesticks
- Family Heirlooms
- Menorahs
- Serving Trays
- Coffee & Tea Sets
- Lighting Fixtures
- Brass Door Hardware
- Brass Candlesticks
- Jewelry Boxes
- Silver Jewelry
- Silver Picture Frames
- Vases
- Pitchers
- Copper Cookware
- Light Fixtures
- Keepsake Boxes
- Trophies
- Silver Wine Goblets
- …and more
Silver Restoration and Repair
Before & After Gallery
Three Easy Steps
How Repair by Mail Works
Step 1:
Send your information
Fill out the form, describe the issue, and upload photos. We’ll review and send you an estimate.
Step 2:
Mail Your Item
Safely package your items and send them to us via tracked shipping. Be sure to send us the tracking number.
Step 3:
Repair & Return
We’ll inspect and confirm your estimate. Once you approve, we’ll restore your item and return it to you via UPS.
Three Easy Steps
How to Ship Your Items Safely
Wrap
Use bubble wrap, packing paper, or loose peanuts to protect your item. Use extra material around delicate handles, stems, or features. Wrap any loose piece, such as a lid, separately. Wrap flatware individually to reduce scratching
Pack
Find a box in good condition, place bubble wrap or peanuts in the bottom, and make sure you have at least two inches of padding between the item and the sides. Ensure you have plenty of padding between individual items for cushioning. Before securely taping shut, add a packing list of what’s in the box and pack it tightly so items do not move during shipping. Use proper packing tape, not masking, blue, wrapping, or duct tape. If the item is very fragile, we recommend double boxing.
Ship
Mark every box “FRAGILE.” Follow the instructions from your shipper of choice — USPS, FedEx, UPS, or DHL.
Our address is:
Biro & Sons
1160 Folsom Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone number: +1 (415) 431-3480
We Recommend Purchasing Shipping Insurance
Any items you ship to us or deliver to us are at your own risk, so we recommend purchasing shipping insurance. We’ll handle any item that arrives at our location with care, but we cannot assume responsibility for what happens before it arrives. We can offer guidance on the declared value of your items when we estimate your repair cost.
How long does it take?
Typical turnaround times vary depending on the size, details, features, and requirements of the repair. We promise to reply to your initial request within 48 hours, deliver an updated estimate within 24 hours of receiving your package, and keep you informed throughout. As a general rule, it takes three weeks from receipt of your items until we ship them back to you.
TYPICAL TURNAROUND
- Polishing and light restoration: 2-4 weeks from arrival
- Silverplate replating and resilvering: 4-6 weeks
- Dent removal and structural repair: 4-8 weeks
- Full antique silver restoration: 6-10 weeks
- Missing part fabrication: 8-12 weeks
- Peak season (October–December): add 2-4 weeks to any of the above
We’re Here to Help
Restoring Sterling Silver Trophies and Awards
From the legendary America’s Cup to some of San Francisco’s most famous sailing trophies to the PGA’s Wanamaker Trophy, Biro & Sons is the place to bring silver trophies and awards for restoration and repair.
Silver trophies travel almost as much as the athletes who’ve won them and are often dinged up in the process. We have the expertise to take apart, repair, restore, and reassemble trophies as old as the America’s Cup, or polish cups, trophies, or awards while taking great care with the engravings.
We’re proud to work regularly with the Professional Golfers Association (PGA), the Northern California Golf Association (NCGA), and the Southern California Golf Association SCGA.
Biro & Sons also had the distinction of working with renowned sculptor Roberto Santo to create silver replicas of The Triple Crown Trophy, known as The Trophy of Trophies.
Tips for Silver
Polishing at Home
Silver Restoration and Repair
Before & After Gallery
Silver Restoration and Repair
FAQs
Q: Do you work with Sterling Silver and Silverplate?
A: Yes! Biro & Sons has a legacy of restoring and repairing sterling silver and silverplated tableware, holloware, flatware, vintage tea sets, serving trays, silver photo frames, and candelabras.
Q: Can you fix a silver item where copper is showing?
A. Yes, after inspecting the piece to ensure it is fundamentally sound and that replating it will deliver excellent results. Your complete satisfaction is our goal, and we’ll let you know if restoring an item to its original condition isn’t realistic.
Q: What are these black dots on my salt shakers?
A: We get this question before every holiday! Salt is extremely corrosive to silver, causing those black dots. Without proper cleaning, those black dots will turn green. We can polish the dots out for you, but next time take the salt out of the shaker before storage.
Q: Is liquid silver polish necessary?
A: No. Liquid silver polish gets in the details of more ornate pieces and can potentially ruin the aesthetics of a silver piece. The best way to keep silver looking its best is to use a polishing cloth or gloves. If you’ve used a liquid polish and the details are gummed up, use an old toothbrush to work the polish out.
Q: Can you repair dents and scratches?
A: Yes, more often than not. We have repaired hundreds of sterling silver and silverplated items back to their original majesty. It’s best to send us a picture or bring it in, and we can discuss.
Q: Do you work with customers outside of San Francisco?
A: Yes! We receive packages from across the United States and Europe for silver restoration and repair. The first step is to fill out our Repair by Mail form with clear photos and an idea of what’s happening. Then we set up a free consultation, provide packing instructions, and work on your items as soon as we can. We will update you as we go and arrange return shipping when it’s done.
Q: How much does silver restoration cost?
A: The best way to get an accurate number is to send us a photo – we’ll come back with a written estimate before any work begins. Every project starts with a free written estimate, since cost depends on the piece and the work needed.
Ready to bring your silver back to life?
Three generations of silversmiths, one San Francisco workshop, trusted with pieces that matter most. Send us a photo and we’ll take it from there.