metals II ~ sterling silver

So earlier in the year I started a series where I highlight one of the many types of metals I love.  For this post it’s sterling silver.

Last time I focused on silverplate which you can read about here.

Before that I posted about copper, which gave me the idea for this series and you can read about it here.

So sterling silver…very pretty…but also very costly.

I have never purchased any sterling myself.  I was lucky to inherit what I have from my parents.

Sterling is usually stamped with 925, which designates the 92.5% by weight silver plus 7.5% by weight of another metal, usually copper.

Continental Europe originated this metal but it has reached across the world by now.

My parents actually acquired the majority of their collection in Peru when we lived in the late 1960s.

{I apologize for the smudged fingerprints; CSI would have a field day!}

The manufacturer is Camusso, S.A and my flatware pattern is Portofino.

I love it!  It’s understated & not too ornate.  I love that the detail is in the middle of the utensils, leaving the ends with clean lines.

Of course I love it most because I grew up with my parents using it & now I’m growing up with my own kids using it around our family table.

My parents also had a huge tray with a tea/coffee service but that ended up in my brother’s family.

I have these chargers large & small {also from my parents}.  So much fun to use them in tablescapes.

And for their 20th anniversary my parents got this tray with their monograms.

how great is this?  I love it!  I use it for so many practical uses as well as for decorating.

Also my father received this platter from first national citibank when we reached 25 years of service {quarter century club} with them.

He retired from Citibank after 46 years; it was the 1st job he had and the last one he had.  That doesn’t happen anymore.  This is one of those things that always makes me smile when I look at it and makes me so proud of my dad and how much he achieved in his lifetime.

And although I’m sad I don’t have the coffee | tea service as I mentioned above, I definitely get way more use out of my sterling flatware set.

The set is way more than complete.  I have a utensil for every use.  It makes me so happy to set the table.  It’s the little things…

{I never set the table like this it’s just to show all the options I have}

And the serving pieces are just as complete.

All the flatware is stored in these flannel pouch rolls, which is much easier to store than a silverware chest in my opinion.  I love that everything is labeled.  gotta love my parents.

Anyway, all these items are stamped “925” and | or “sterling”.

Anything sterling should be marked accordingly but there are machines that can calibrate the metal of an artifact if you are not sure or there are businesses who will also test it for a fee.

Unlike my silver plate I like to keep my sterling as polished as possible.

Storing sterling in flannel prevents it from tarnishing.  And believe it or not using sterling frequently also helps maintain its polish.  II use it as much as possible for special occasions but since you have to hand wash it sometimes it is simply not practical.  Just keeping it real.

And it makes whatever meal, occasion, celebration, etc. that extra special when I pull out the sterling.

Happy Shiny & Bright!

sharing @:

inspire me tuesday @ a stroll thru life

tweak it tuesday @ cozy little house

the inspiration board @ carolyn’s homework

be inspired @ elizabeth&co.

the scoop @ stonegable

spring into spring @ diy by design

wow @ savvy southern style

wake-up wednesday @ god’s growing garden

wonderful wednesday @ oh my heartsie girl

amaze me monday @ dwellings-the heart of your home

show& share @ coastal charm

inspire me monday @ my uncommon slice of suburbia

met monday @ between naps on the porch

make it pretty monday @ the dedicated house

motivation monday @ making our life matter

celebrate your story @ the sweet sensations

mmm @ keeping it simple crafts

vintage charm @ charm bracelet diva

home & garden @ a delightsome life

syc @ have a daily cup of mrs. olson

diy like a boss @ table & hearth

share your style @ little farmstead

home sweet home @ the charm of home

feathered nest friday @ french country cottage

inspiration gallery @ craftberry bush

simple&sweet @ rooted in thyme

shabbilicious friday @ shabby art boutique

friday’s 5 features @ diy vintage chic

morning cup of joe @ the cottage market

pinworthy projects @ just us 4

5 star frou frou @ a tray of bliss

craft frenzy friday @ craft dictator

the creative collection @ the crafted sparrow

party palooza @ i heart naptime

saturday sparks @ pieced pastimes

share it one more time @ lilacs&longhorns

sundays at home @ love of home

a bouquet of talent @ life on lakeshore drive

creative corner @ curly crafty mom

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