Can I Use a Sander to Remove a Monogram From Silver?

Sand Polishing

• The sander used on silver is a specialized tool incorporating pumice as the abrasive. Marks can also be removed with a spinning wheel that uses felt or leather as the abrasive.
  Hand spinning may be necessary to fix deep pieces such as coffee pots and pitchers. This tool exerts 900 pounds of leverage per square inch, allowing the silversmith to make precise contours.

Tips

• Examine the thickness of the silver to make sure the monogram can be removed and to avoid the risk of creating a weak area in the silver. For example, a silver platter could become too weak to support weight. If the piece is to be re-engraved, always engrave in a different area.

  Be sure that the piece is true silver and not just silver-plated. Look for markings such as "925 Silver" or the word "Sterling" on the piece. You can also check to see if the item is magnetic. Sterling silver will not attract a magnet.

Methods

• A silver monogram can be removed from a silver piece by buffing out the monogram or by filling in the monogram with silver alloy. Buffing out the piece will weaken the piece, and both methods leave the area deformed and discolored. A quality silversmith should be able to remove the monogram to the point that it is barely noticeable or warn you if it cannot be done without damage.

Considerations

• Give serious consideration before having the monogram removed from a high-quality, hand-engraved antique silver piece. The engraving and history are part of the value of the item, and removing the monogram, even successfully, will devalue the piece.