Sensing properties of noble metal colloids are strongly dependent on their size, shape, composition and distribution so that the individuation of suitable strategies for synthesis and modification is one of the facts in experimental designing. In this paper we show that silver nanoplates can be obtained through a simple two-step process, involving the formation of seeds generated by laser ablation of a metal target in an aqueous solution, followed by addition of H 2 O 2 under light irradiation without additional silver ions. These experiments open up the possibility to obtain metal nanoparticles of different shapes directly in a colloidal state without the action of polluting agents. Nanoplates show excellent plasmon sensitivity and SERS enhancement factor.