For hundreds of years, families have treasured the silver flatware passed down from Mom or

Grandma. There is a relative newcomer catching up and on its way to becoming

one of America's favorite family heirlooms.

This new family heirloom is the stainless steel flatware

set your mother or grandmother passed down to you. Just as the family silver of

yesteryear brought back cherished childhood memories of an ancestor, many families

are finding that the stainless set they remember as children brings back the same

type of memories.

Sterling silver and silverplate flatware sets are still being passed down from

mother to daughter. However, we have seen a significant increase in the number

of people requesting replacements for an ancestor's stainless set. In fact, 50%

of our customers at SilverCollect.com are completing stainless sets received either from a family

member; or for a set they received as a wedding gift and wish to pass down.

There are also collectors of stainless patterns from a particular era or from a

particular flatware designer such as Jens Quistgaard, for example. A collector

may be attracted to the high quality of craftsmanship found in the vintage

flatware, or to the design - or both.

Unfortunately for those trying to complete these flatware sets, the patterns have

been discontinued more often than not. It can be difficult to locate vintage and

discontinued patterns in excellent condition. Patience is required as it can

often take years to complete a set. And for the more popular patterns demand is

high, supply is low, so you may find yourself paying more for stainless than for

sterling silver.

Here are a couple of tips to ensure that you maintain a complete stainless set; and to create a family heirloom to pass on to your children:

• If your pattern is still in production, buy extra pieces before it isdiscontinued. After discontinuation, supply can quickly become depleted; and

  prices can quickly go up.

• When you find pieces in great condition for your discontinued pattern, buy asmany extra pieces as you can afford. It may be the last time you see replacements in your pattern.

It's a good idea to have extra pieces of flatware on hand because some pieces will inevitably become “lost” or damaged. Forks are used the most so tend to get “lost” or damaged before the other pieces. They are

generally harder to find and often more costly to replace. Teaspoons have a tendency

to mysteriously disappear too.

Above all, just take care of your set. Use it but don't abuse it. It is

relatively easy to do, particularly in comparison to sterling silver or

silverplate. Silver can be relatively carefree if used regularly, but most

people just don't use it daily. Click here for more about Stainless Steel Flatware