You are on the portal of a leading French producer of silverware
Depending on whether you are:
a professional or luxury tableware, a specialist in upscale restaurants
or simply a (an) host (ess) in search of excellence ...
How to tell genuine silversmithcrafted flatware.
Whether simple or ornate, a piece of flatware must be a thing of beauty that is pleasant to look at and handle. We follow 4 golden rules of silversmithing :
1. A complete set of pieces faithful to the original design.
2. Skilled artisans to blend, balance and elegance in each piece..
3. Old world know how to accurately reproduce the most intricate designs.
4. Silversmith hallmark on each piece.
The law requires a square hallmark on each piece, be it sterling or silver plate.
Each hallmark has specific meaning :
• Minerva Head Hallmark guarantees " sterling silver piece ",
• Silver plate Hallmarks #1 or #2 guarantee the thickness of the silver plating under supervision of the French government..
Minimum Thickness of silverplating (microns of true silver)
Frenquently
used pieces
used pieces
Lesser used
pieces
pieces
Hollloware
Deco pieces
Hallmark #1
33
19
15
10
Hallmark #2
20
9
9
6
The 3 metals most commonly used in flatware are :
• Sterling Silver ( 925 ‰ pure silver in France),
• A Nickel silver alloy for better silver plate give the best malleability and silver adherence,
• 18/10 stainless steel alloy (18 % chrome - 10 % nickel ) is rust free and non magnetic.
Production of a piece of flatware requires skilled artisans and an average of 30 steps.
The main steps comprise :
• cutting out the first sketch out of a sheet of metal,
• cold rolling to provide various degrees of thickness to the different parts,
• carving to give the piece the final shape,
• stamping to imprint design
• several finishing touches to smooth, polish and retouch to achieve top quality,
• degreasing, silver plating and quality control.
