Does anyone have silverware that's actually silver?

[notfred]

Does it tarnish easily? Or is it too big of a pain in the ass/too expensive, and everyone just uses stainless steel?

 

[imported_Tick]

Yes. Also, I'm an amatuer silver smith, so I have lots of silver experience. No, silver doesn't tarnish easily. It depends on where you live though, as silver sulfides, not oxides, and most available sulfur is polution in the air, so your enviroment has a lot to do with silver tarnishing speed. However, it's not that difficult to polish silver, as silver tarnish, cupric oxide, doesn't bond well to itself or other silver. Also, silver isn't that expensive, it currently sells for about $8 an ounce, making the average piece of silver silverware about $30. So a decent sized set is expensive, but not that expensive.

 

[Medea]

Ditto Tick's reply, except that we use stainless steel for everyday use and the sterling silverware for special occasions.

 

[SilentZero]

Yes, my mother has a set from the 1900's, but it just sits in its case and is only used twice or so a year.

 

[Landroval]

Ya, I have my great-grandmother's and use it on occassion. It is fairly easy to maintain and very beautiful.

 

[Sheepathon]

Would you put your silver silverware in the dishwasher?

 

[Buk]

We 'inherited' a set of silver plate tableware from my parents because they had an extra set and rather than put it up for special occasions, we use it daily. With regular use (and putting the clean on the bottom of the stack so as to use all of it and not just the top few pieces), it rarely needs polishing. If you only use it a couple of times a year, you'll have to polish it every time. Why save the good stuff - I doubt you'll wear it out.............

 

[eplebnista]

Does anyone have silverware that's actually silver?

Yes, although it is stored and not used.