Many people start to think about flatware when they register for their wedding. Actually, anytime in your life is a great time to think about investing in flatware. Not only will you be adding a touch of refinement and class to your dining setting, you will also be investing in heirloom quality pieces that can continue to be passed down in your family for generations to come.
When you first enter into the flatware market your options can be overwhelming. Do you desire stainless steel, or sterling silver? What type of finish do you want? How many sets do you want to buy and how much are you willing to pay for them? All of these are important questions to ask.
A great place to start is just to research and compare different brands and lines of flatware. A great line of flatware to start with is the Oneida brand Sand Dune line.
With an interesting and long legacy, Oneida has established itself as a power player in the flatware market. This brand goes all the way back to the 1800’s where in a small commune in upstate New York a silver company was started. This small silver company was the only thing to survive the communes somewhat notorious past and has gone on to grow to one of the most well known flatware companies in the world.
The Sand Dune pattern from Oneida is just one of the many patterns that this company has become so well known for. With a tear drop like shape coated in clean sophisticated line, this piece of flatware lives up to its hype as being “contoured, contemporary, and cool.” The Sand Dune line is the perfect addition to your collection, but how does it stack up to other similar brands?
One brand that is comparable to Sand Dune is the Lenox flatware company. Lenox features very similar modern design aesthetics, but it also tends to favor more of a traditional element to its design. Lenox may offer a “breakage replacement” warranty, but with flatware there are not many instances where this is going to do you much good. However, with the Sand Dune collection being part of Oneida, they also qualify for the companies “pattern for a lifetime guarantee”. This is a much more valuable incentive as if you happen to lose or have stolen a piece of your flatware set; regardless of whether it has been discontinued you can still buy a replacement piece. Something that Lenox does not offer.
Another brand to consider for comparison is Mikasa. Mikasa is a relatively newer company compared to Oneida, but has wasted no time in establishing itself as one of the top producers of dinnerware. Mikasa has a few different lines that compare to the Sand Dunes style and design, however, unlike the Sand Dune collection, if you were to lose even one piece of your collection you would be unable to buy just that one piece. Without the open stock policy of Oneida that Sand Dune provides, you will be forced to buy an entire new set instead of just the piece that was lost.
These are just two of the hundreds of different brands and lines that you can choose from when it comes to comparing and contrasting flatware pieces with the Oneida Sand Dune collection. When doing your research it’s always important to not only take into consideration the style and craftsmanship of a piece, but it’s also important to study the warranties, guarantees that come along with your investment.
You will most likely be spending a fair amount of money when buying a quality flatware set whether you choose to go with the Sand Dune pattern or not. This is why it is so important to take into account all of the points that accompany your brand, not just whether it looks pretty on your tabletop. If you follow through with your research you will be guaranteed to be enjoying a quality set of flatware that will be a part of your life for many years to come.
