When people set out to buy silverware online, they often seek unique and stylish sets that can instantly enhance the look and feel of their dinner parties. However, what about everyday dining? Shouldn't your next flatware sale include a selection of the best flatware sets for daily use? At INOX Artisans, we believe that the best flatware sets can elevate your everyday dining experience. The right flatware can become a statement piece, setting the tone for your table from Monday to Sunday and every day in between!
Let’s look at some of the factors you should consider before you buy silverware online for everyday use.
Flatware basics
Before looking for a flatware sale and selecting the best everyday flatware, you’ll want to get to know the basic terms used when you shop silverware online.
5-piece place setting: This is the standard for one person. For instance, when browsing our flatware sets (see above), you will find that we offer both 5-piece and 20-piece place settings. A 20-piece place setting accommodates 4 people.
Service for one: For most flatware retailers this includes a dinner fork, a salad fork, a tablespoon, teaspoons, and a dinner knife. We have seen some sets that include a butter knife, but the basic service for one flatware set includes 5 pieces.
Flatware serveware: Any combination of serving spoons, forks, and other utensils meant for serving food. At INOX Artisans, our flatware collection includes salad serving sets, 4-piece hostess sets, meat carving sets, pasta/spaghetti servers, and cake serving sets.
What are silverware sets made of?
Sterling silver: This silverware is crafted using silver mixed with a copper alloy. Sterling silver pieces will show some wear and tear, even if it's been well cared for. Most sterling silver is made of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals. Authentic items have the 92.5 number imprinted on each piece and older sterling silver pieces will often have the artisan's signature or a symbol to indicate where it was made.
Did you know? To determine if an item is genuine sterling silver or silver-plated, you can gently knock two pieces against each other. Real sterling silver produces a distinctive “ting” sound, while silver-plated items tend to make a dull “thud.”
Silver plated: It offers an elegant look of silver, without the cost. While sterling silver is predominantly silver, silver-plated silverware is made from base metals, like brass, nickel, and stainless steel, with a thin layer of electroplated nickel silver on top. While silver-plated silverware is durable and doesn’t show scratches as easily as sterling silver, it will tend to get dull and may need polishing to restore its shine.
Gold plated: Crafted from silver or stainless steel, gold-plated silverware is covered in a delicate layer of gold. Typically 14K gold is used and each piece is stamped to indicate its authenticity. While gold-plated flatware is beautiful, it needs protection from scratches and often needs polishing.
Stainless Steel: An alloy of different metals, stainless steel flatware is crafted from 18/10, 18/8, or 18/0 stainless steel. The 18 represents the chromium content, an important component of stainless steel that results in its durability, hardness, and resistance to rust. The second numbers (10, 8, and 0) indicate the amount of nickel, which gives stainless steel its shine.
Silverware sets made of sterling silver or silver-plated flatware in elegant patterns are an option for formal events and holidays. Because of its strength and durability, stainless steel flatware is the best flatware for everyday use.
What about style & design?
Before you head to that flatware sale, you’ll want to find a flatware style that complements your dinnerware and that you will enjoy using every day. If you prefer a minimalist table setting, you likely won’t want ornate or artistic cutlery.
Classic or traditional: Silverware and cutlery that works well for formal dinners and sophisticated settings. Classic designs are timeless. Look for flatware with rounded handles and high-polished implements.
Contemporary/Modern: Most modern styles harmonize with minimalist table settings. This cutlery will feature clean lines, with slim or pointed handles, oblong spoons, and distinctive finishes, like matte or two-tone.
Ornate/Elaborate: Flatware with detailed patterns adds a touch of opulence and artistic flair to any table setting.
Transitional: Think of this style as being in “transit” or traveling between traditional and modern designs. Transitional cutlery will be simple but sophisticated, with an ease that balances comfort and elegance.
Practical, functional, and comfortable
When selecting the best flatware sets for everyday use, it's important to consider more than just how attractive your silverware looks on the table. If you've fallen in love with beautifully styled flatware that has your guests oohing and ahhing but makes dining awkward and difficult, it may not be the ideal choice for daily use.
Look for pieces that feel balanced in your hand. Flatware should have some heft to it while feeling comfortable in your hand. It should also make piercing, lifting, and cutting foods comfortable and effortless. And don’t overlook proportions! If you love the look of large, organic ceramic dinnerware, a thin minimalist flatware set will look out of place.
Easy care and maintenance
Many of us lead busy lifestyles, which means that after-dinner cleanup needs to be quick and efficient. Even if you're fortunate enough to find a flatware sale online, it’s important to maintain your flatware in good condition. For that reason, consider the care requirements before you buy silverware online.
Sterling silver: Dishwashers can damage silver, so hand washing is recommended. Avoid abrasive materials and stick to mild soaps and soft cloths for drying.
Silver/Gold plated: This type of silverware requires more maintenance, including handwashing and occasional polishing to maintain its luster.
Stainless Steel: By far the easiest to care for and maintain, most stainless steel flatware is dishwasher safe. Our unique flatware is dishwasher safe but we recommend avoiding citric-acid or chlorine-based detergents which can damage the surface over time and cause corrosive reactions.
A note about stainless steel: While it is mostly stainless, stainless steel isn’t immune to rust. It is less prone to erosion when compared to conventional steel, but extended exposure to substances like salt, vinegar, egg, tomato sauce, acidic fruits, harsh detergents, and some tap water mineral salts, can cause erosion and staining. If you won't run your dishwasher right away, rinse your flatware thoroughly. To keep your stainless steel looking pristine for years, we suggest handwashing after every use.
Take a long-term approach
While it might be tempting to take advantage of a flatware sale online, when you buy silverware online it's best to think long-term. Take time to think about your everyday needs as well as flatware settings that will create an attractive table setting for holidays and other special occasions.
Choosing the right flatware for everyday use is not only a financial investment, it’s an investment in your dining pleasure. Taking that bit of extra time to choose wisely will have you enjoying your choice for years to come.
What to expect when you buy silverware online from our collection
When you buy silverware online from the INOX Artisan collection, you'll receive handcrafted flatware made from 18/8 stainless steel. This composition provides just the right amount of softness, allowing our artisans to forge and hammer the steel into our signature patterns. Additionally, our stainless steel flatware withstands heat well with mirror-polished utensils that maintain their luster over time.
Unlike gold-plated and silver-plated flatware our flatware handles are finished using an electroplating process. This popular metal finishing technique is a kind of chemical reaction. It uses electrolysis and a thin layer of another metal to create a distinctive finish.
Now that you understand your flatware sale options for everyday dining, we hope you’ll shop our selection of beautiful, durable artisan-crafted flatware.
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