The answer depends on what you mean by "better".
If you mean "stronger", then yes, steel is far stronger than silver.
If you mean "more valuable", then no, silver is worth much more by weight than steel.
Sterling silver is denser than stainless steel, meaning it has more mass in the same volume. This density difference is why a sterling silver spoon will weigh more than a stainless steel spoon of the same size.
1942
Oneida manufactures stainless steel flatware, but ceased making sterling silver pieces in 2005.
No, stainless steel flatware does not contain 925 silver. Stainless steel is a different material composed primarily of steel and chromium, while 925 silver refers to sterling silver which is an alloy containing 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals.
Of course it does! Sterling is about 92% pure and uses a base metal for strength. Yuri Geller wasn't bending Stainless Steel spoons, he was bending Sterling. There is anecdotal evidence that eating off sterling silver spoons or drinking from Silver cups helped people survive the plague in Europe. Try to buy a set of Sterling Silver on eBay and you will see what it is worth.
As sterling has bacteriostatic qualities, it may be more sanitary & tend to contaminate less than stainless or other materials.
I have a full set of WM A. Rogers AA heavy Oneida LTD. Flatware... It says on the back of the knives "STAINLESS". I hope this answers your question. I have a similar set of flatware and the "Stainless" on the knife means the blade is stainless. However, the handle and other parts of set could be stainless or silverplate. WM A Rogers did mostly silver plated flatware, not sterling silver. If it tarnishes it is most likely silver-plated.
Community silverware is typically not sterling silver; it is often made from stainless steel or silver-plated materials. Sterling silver is defined as containing at least 92.5% pure silver, while community silverware is usually marked with terms like "Community" or "Community Plate," indicating it is silver-plated rather than solid sterling. Always check the markings to confirm the material.
Sterling silver is stamped "sterling" or "925". Other metals may say "nickel free," "stainless," "surgical steel," "silver plated," "WGF" (white gold filled), "nickel silver," "Peruvian silver," "German silver," "Tibetan silver," "Bali Silver," and a number of other things, but NOT sterling or 925. That's the key.
Either Stainless Steel or Sterling Silver.
SSI SC on jewelry likely stands for "Stainless Steel" (SSI) and "Sterling Silver" (SC), indicating that the piece is made from a combination of these two materials. Stainless steel is known for its durability and resistance to tarnishing, while sterling silver is a precious metal valued for its beauty and shine.
If you have sensitive skin you might want to go with silver but if you dont and want to go with whats cheaper sterling silver is what you should choose.