How to choose flatware silverware?

In western cuisine each formal table setting has a five piece standard flatware

Also see

How to set flatware?

How to choose stainless steel flatware and cookware?

Standard Pieces

There are five standard flatware pieces used in table setting:

Dinner Fork

Salad Fork

Knife

Teaspoon

Tablespoon

In addition, you may want to buy oyster fork, dessert spoon, bouillon spoon, iced tea spoon

Matching serving tools

When you purchase the flatware, you may also consider buying matching serving tools

Serving spoon

Serving fork

Sugar spoon

Meat fork

Gravy Ladle

Salad Server

Pastry/cake server

Size

There are two sizes, American standard, and European or Continental. American standard pieces are slightly smaller than continental pieces. Both sizes are acceptable and used in United States.

Materials

Sterling Silver

This flatware is the most expensive. In United States, the word 'Sterling' may be stamped only if it has a minimum of 92.5% pure silver. For strength, 7.5% may be an alloy to strengthen the materials such as copper.

Silver Plate / Gold Plate

This flatware may be made of base metal such as stainless steel, brass or other alloys. The base metal is electroplated with pure silver or gold.

This flatware is cheaper than the sterling silver.

Stainless Steel 18/10

This flatware is cheaper than silver plate or gold plate.

Stainless Steel 18/0, 18/8

These are economical flatware and may be purchased for daily use.