Materials

Signs of quality

3. Silver-plated flatware

Today silver-plated flatware is made by coating the basic metal, e.g. chromium-nickel steel with an adherent layer of silver. The coating consists of refined silver with a special hardening additive.
It is also referred to as hard-silver plating. A 90 g silver coating means that 12 menu spoons and forks are coated with 90 g of solid silver. Silver-plated flatware is rust- and dishwasher-safe.

4. Solid silver flatware

Two alloys are used to make silver articles:
a) The usual silver alloys contain 800 parts silver and 200 parts copper (hallmark 800).
b) The sterling silver alloy contains 925 parts silver and 75 parts other materials. Sterling silver is marked with the crescent and crown symbol (hallmark 925).

5. Gilded flatware

Gilded flatware which is available on the market, has been electroplated with an ultra-fine coating of hard gold. They are generally made of 18/8 chromium-nickel or stainless steel. Flatware of this type may be gilded all over or decoratively (i.e. partially) gilded.
The gold layer is measured in my (microns). 1 my is 1/1000th of a millimetre.

6. Decorative flatware

Since old times flatware has been frequently available with handles made of material other than metal. The choice ranges from noble woods, porcelain, mother of pearl, ivory and horn to synthetic. With the exception of plastic-handled flatware these articles are not usually dishwasher-proof. Today, knife handles are made not only of wood but also of high-quality synthetics which are attractive by virtue of the variety of colours and shapes they offer.