Q: How is flatware and silver sold?
A: Most often you will buy silverware in sets, although you can typically reorder lost pieces individually from the manufacturer. Here is a general outline of what's included in each type of set.
5-piece set - dinner fork, dinner knife, salad fork, soup spoon, teaspoon
Tip: A good rule of thumb is to buy the same number of flatware and dinnerware settings, usually around 8-12 settings.
20-piece set - Four 5-piece place settings
2-piece serving set - Also called a hostess set, this consists of an oversized serving fork and spoon
Q: What are the differences between sterling silver and silver plate or stainless steel?
A: Whereas all these pieces of flatware may look the same on the outside, the minute features of the internal makeup of each utensil create very different pieces.
Sterling silver - To earn the 'sterling silver' stamp, the piece must contain a minimum of 925 parts fine silver per 1000, or 92.5 percent of pure silver (the rest is alloy). To increase durability and workability, generally, copper is added to the alloy.
Silver Plate - Otherwise known as "modern silver," silver plate has a majority composition of a base metal, usually zinc, and through an electroplating process is coated with 100 percent silver. The quality of silver plate is determined by the thickness of the silver coating. Although silver plate doesn't carry the same air as sterling silver, it lasts nearly as long and is a great less expensive alternative. dishwasher-safe.
Stainless Steel - At the risk of sounding like an infomercial, stainless steel won't tarnish, rust, chip or wear out. Composed of a mixture of steel, chromium, and nickel, it's definitely the most durable and popular flatware for everyday use. Quality is measured by grades: 18/8 and 18/10, translating to 18 percent chromium and 8 or 10 percent nickel, respectively. The more nickel, the shinier the look of the flatware. dishwasher-safe.
Q: What is vermeil?
A: (Pronounced vair-MAY) A gilded sterling silver, this substance has a fine double-plating of 10 or more karat gold over the sterling silver. This is used to create a gold finish and to accentuate detail. It is elegant and lustrous. Gold electroplate is the same process of gold overlay, but on stainless steel or metal alloy in place of the sterling silver.
Q: What are the guidelines for setting the table?
A: Remember these simple guidelines and neither you or your guests will ever be confused again by forks and spoons.
Only set the table with utensils that will be used for that specific meal. If you aren't serving a salad, don't put out the salad fork.
Place the utensils in the order that they will be used based on the order the courses will be served in, from the outside in. In other words, the fork you use first is furthest away from the plate.
Forks always go on the left of the plate and the knife and spoon go on the right. The knife is placed next to the plate with the blade facing in.
A dessert fork or spoon should be placed above the plate if you would like to display those pieces on the table for the entire meal. Many hosts choose to simply bring out those pieces with dessert.
Bread plates are set above and to the left of your plate, and your beverage glasses, both for water and wine, are on your right.
Q: Should I select my china to match my flatware, or vice versa?
A: It depends. Experts say that if you are selecting sterling silver, that should be your first step. If not, select the china first and match your flatware pattern to it. However, if you fall in love with a flatware pattern, that should tell you something about your style, and you might be very successful finding a china pattern that you love to match.
Q: Is it necessary to register for two different sets of flatware, one for formal occasions and one for everyday use?
A: It's not necessary, but advised if you want to keep your "nice" flatware nice. You can pick a more casual or trendy flatware for everyday use, and a more formal, timeless pattern for sit-down dinners and more formal occasions. If you already own complete sets of either silver or everyday flatware or you anticipate inheriting a set of silver, then it is not necessary to register for complete sets of each, although you may wish to fill in gaps in your collection.
While silver is expensive, it should be thought of as an investment in a family heirloom, a tradition, and the ultimate addition to a formal table. If you want it, you better register for it now, because it's unlikely you'll ever buy it for yourself later. Many people in our parents' generation registered for silver, as there were few other options for formal flatware. Now, if you'd like your registry dollars to go elsewhere, there are many other flatware materials that are less expensive and can be just as beautiful as sterling.
Q: How do I know if my dinnerware and flatware "match"?
A: Let the two-to-one rule be your guide. Ornate items should be in balance with simply designed items. This applies to flatware as well as dinnerware and glassware. For every two ornate or detailed items on your table, balance it with a simply designed item, or vice versa. Two simple items can be balanced with an ornate one!
Q: How do I care for my formal sterling silver?
A: Ironically, the more you use your silver, the easier it is to clean. While Tiffany's recommends that silver be washed by hand in hot, sudsy water, most silver (aside from knives) can be placed in the dishwasher for the rinse cycle, but must be removed before the drying cycle. Also, to avoid staining, the sooner you can wash it after use, the better. However, if tarnishing occurs, using a good quality silver polish in conjunction with a polishing cloth should remove the tarnish. Last, "dip" polish and electrolytic cleaning is discouraged, as they contain harsh chemicals and strip away at the natural metal composition.
Additionally, storage of silver proves to be very important in maintaining the appearance. The most important priority concerning storing silver is to keep it DRY. The less exposure to air, the better. Usually, good silver comes with a good storage box that has individual spaces for each piece and includes tarnish-proof cloths to wrap pieces.
Q: What if my sterling has vermeil detail?
A: Like sterling silver, vermeil needs to be hand washed with mild soap and water and dried with a soft cloth. However, unlike sterling silver, vermeil should not be polished.
Q: Will my silver plate or stainless steel settings dull if I throw them in the dishwasher?
A: Silver plate may look like silver and feel like silver, but it's a lot less expensive and much easier to care for than silver. Silver plate is 100 percent dishwasher-safe and should not dull. Likewise, stainless steel is also dishwasher-safe. Perhaps the most affordable and durable option, stainless steel is the material of the nineties because it is tough, low-maintenance, and comes in a variety of designs. This durable material can handle all temperatures, and thus can be washed in the dishwasher.