Plated ware refers to articles chiefly intended for tableware consisting of an base metal or alloy covered by one of the precious metals, with the object of giving them the appearance of gold or silver. Historically, the standard amount of precious metal used was an ounce of silver per square foot of surface area. Large scale production dates to 1742 when Thomas Bolsover, of Sheffield, England developed a process by which silver plates were fused to base metal (generally copper) ingots by heating them in a furnace with borax. The ingots were then rolled down to a sheet, and from these sheets silver-plated articles were made.
Sheffield plate is a layered combination of silver and copper that was used for many years to produce a wide range of household articles. Almost every article made in sterling silver was also crafted by Sheffield makers, who used this manufacturing process to produce nearly identical wares at far less cost.
The French hallmarking authorities require a minimum of 33 microns of silver or 120 gms per 12 pieces of cutlery. This is indeed a minimum and we recommend the silverware made by the French silversmith, Ercuis, who uses 63 microns or 150 gms of silver per 12 pieces. This thicker layer of silver will ensure a longer life for your knives, forks and spoons.
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