Appearance

• The appearance of your flatware is determined both by the style and the chromium/nickel content in the steel. Styles range from plain Jane to scrolling and elegantly ornate. Shine is decided by how much nickel is added. Flatware with the standard 18 percent chromium and zero nickel appears muted. Bringing the nickel content up to the standard 8 to 8.3 (often listed as 10 percent by manufacturers) gives the flatware a sterling silver luster. Nickel content raises the price of the flatware, due to nickel's high value. When choosing your style, factor in your own tastes, as well as your purpose. A diner owner would likely choose an economical plain flatware, whereas someone throwing formal dinner parties might opt for flair and elegance over economy.
  
  

Quality

• Differentiate between cheaper flatware and its higher-quality cousin by noting balance, shine and polish. Well-balanced flatware tends to be pricier, and well worth it if balanced correctly so that it feels natural in the hand. Shine is determined by the nickel content of the alloy, which raises the quality and the price. Polish is a finishing detail that lesser flatware is not subjected to in order to keep manufacturing costs low. A good, smooth feel on the tines of the forks is a telltale sign of quality flatware.
  
  

Roundness

• The design of flatware varies between sets. More expensive brands use delicate rounding of handles and tines, rather than being stamp cut and mass manufactured. Patterns are numerous, and may also dictate pricing. More complex designs are more costly to manufacture, while simple patterns are easily mass produced.
  
  

Size

• One other difference present in flatware is standard and European sizing. European flatware is three times larger and three times heavier than the standard sizing. It is often the best choice for formal entertaining when elegance is key.