This listing is for one (1) ornate, new/unused gold-plated dessert fork hand-stamped with "Happy GOLDEN Birthday". This makes a great golden birthday OR 50th birthday gift for her, a wife, a daughter, a girl, a niece, or a grandchild. The fork is MADE TO ORDER. You will receive a dessert fork from the EXACT pattern pictured.

"Golden Birthday" is when you turn the same age as your day of birth. For example, it's when you turn age 25 and you were born on the 25th.

★★★ PLEASE NOTE: Silverware pieces are referred to by different names in different parts of the country and between different flatware patterns. This listing is for one (1) "dessert fork" as part of the basic table setting. The gold-plated dessert fork is approximately 7.25 inches in total length. ★★★

➽ You will receive a dessert fork from the exact pattern pictured. All forks will be hand-stamped using the font pictured.

★★★ PLEASE NOTE: The stamped letters are NOT darkened/colored in (as described below). The letters appear to be darkened in simply due to shadows and lighting, so that the stamping would be more visible in the photographs. The stamping is completely visible but not darkened in due to food safety issues and to potential toxicity issues, as explained below. ★★★

★★★ There are no black or brown marks, discoloration, white patches, red tones, or other colors on the forks -- those are simply light reflections and shadows from the photography process. ★★★

➽ If you would prefer a hand-stamped, silver-plated, vintage fork instead, please convo me to set up a custom order. The letters and characters CAN be darkened in on silver-plated spoons in a food-safe manner.

➽ This pattern of gold-plated silverware is "new old stock" (discontinued pieces that were never used but have been in storage). This pattern was produced from 2006 to 2022. Due to their age, nearly all pieces will show some signs of wear from storage.

➽ Please note that many gold-plated flatware patterns were produced for major silverware manufacturers in China or Korea. The back of each fork handle may be blank or may be marked with "WALLACE ©" and "CHINA," or "Cook's Essentials™ 18/10" and "CHINA," or just "CHINA," or just "KOREA," for example.

➽➽➽ Production time on this item is 2-3 business days (PRIOR to shipping), which does not include weekends or holidays.

➽➽➽ This item will be shipped via USPS First Class Mail Parcel (3-7 days typical delivery AFTER production) OR via USPS Priority Mail Small Flat Rate box (2-3 days typical delivery AFTER production). Both shipping options come with USPS Tracking™.

➽➽➽ Pictures are enlarged (close-ups) to show detail. The photos are not the actual size of the finished item. Please refer to the applicable scale information shown in the photos (i.e., the U.S. penny, the ruler, etc.) and/or the listing description for actual dimensions.

➽➽➽ All pieces are handcrafted by me. Spacing between, and depth of, letters, numbers, characters/images, etc., will vary slightly between, and within, items. These small variations add to the charm and unique nature of each piece. They are not imperfections.

➽➽➽ If you need a larger quantity of forks than what is listed as available, please convo me.

☛ To view my other listings, please click here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/AmySueCrafts


♥ The fork is safe to eat with but can also be used as photo props or decoration.

♥ The fork comes with instructions on how to care for the gold electroplate finish.

♥ The fork will be polished to as bright a shine as possible. The fork will show some wear due to its previous life, including a few small scratches, dings, spots, and/or some minor plate-wear. The fork will not show substantial plate loss or damage.


★★★ All GOLD ELECTROPLATED silverware items designed for use with food do *NOT* have the hand-stamped letters, numbers, and/or design characters darkened in due to the sensitivity of the gold electroplating and due to the base metal (which typically is stainless steel and can therefore only be darkened in using NON-food-safe substances). However, the hand-stamped impressions are visible and will last forever. (See more information below.)

☛ To view some of my other stamped fork items, please visit:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/AmySueCrafts/search?search_query=fork

☛ To view my other stamped gold-plated silverware listings, please click here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/AmySueCrafts/search?search_query=gold

☛ To view my other stamped silverware listings, please click here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/AmySueCrafts?section_id=15261625&ref=shopsection_leftnav_3

★ Please convo me with any questions prior to ordering. I am happy to set up custom orders with different stamped designs. Thanks for looking!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please carefully review ALL of the below information prior to placing an order:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1) What Exactly is GOLD-PLATED Flatware?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOLD plating (electroplating) on flatware varies in color, thickness, and patina between pieces (and even within patterns) depending on the original design. Because of the age and history of my flatware pieces, imperfections are to be expected and cherished -- that is part of their charm and character.


2) How Should I Care for my Vintage GOLD-PLATED Flatware?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please hand wash your GOLD-plated flatware. This will preserve the GOLD electroplating, making the flatware last longer. Mild dishwashing detergent, lukewarm water, and a soft cloth can be used to clean GOLD-plated flatware.

It is normal for GOLD-plated pieces to darken and tarnish over time. Because of the electroplating, there is a risk of chipping the real gold when cleaning the pieces. A little bit of lemon juice or vinegar on a soft, damp cloth can be used to gently removed stains, but be sure to wash off the lemon juice or vinegar immediately when done because the acid can damage the electroplating. More detailed care instructions are included with the flatware.


3) Are the Letters/Characters Engraved?
-------------------------------------------------------
No, each letter on the flatware is lovingly hand stamped (i.e., hammered by hand by me). I carefully hand stamp each character -- one at a time. Therefore, no two pieces ever will be exactly the same due to the font/pattern used, the precise placement of each character, the character alignment, the depth of each impression, and stamp uniformity. This adds to the character, charm, and uniqueness of the pieces. Engraving is done with a machine, not by hand.

Because of the nature of hand-stamping, it is impossible to guarantee that 100% of letters/numbers/characters will be perfectly aligned. I am not a machine. In some cases, minor tool markings may be evident on the front and/or back of the flatware depending on the design & thickness of the piece.


4) Why Aren't the Stamped Characters Blackened In on GOLD-PLATED Flatware?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On GOLD-plated (gold electroplated) flatware pieces intended for use with food, stamped characters are *NOT* blackened/darkened in. This is because of the sensitivity of the gold electroplating and due to the base metal of the flatware.

Most GOLD-plated flatware has a stainless steel base. Stainless steel cannot be darkened in using natural oxidation (i.e., tarnishing). Stainless steel can only be darkened in using NON-food-safe chemicals such as paint or permanent markers. These products may be identified as "non-toxic" but are only labeled as such for "normal" intended use, which does not include putting the paint/ink in your mouth or eating it.

Although many permanent markers (such as Sharpie® markers) are labeled as "non-toxic," it is misleading. They are "non-toxic" in accordance with their intended "normal use" purpose of writing, labeling, and drawing... NOT for eating. For example, ACMI certifies that Sharpie® markers do not contain any materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or harmful to humans. According to the institute's toxicological evaluations, Sharpie® markers are not hazardous under "normal use" conditions. However, "normal use" does NOT include consuming any amount of the marker ink. This certification as "non-toxic" also does NOT mean that materials are not irritants or allergens. Such products are certified by ACMI to be labeled in accordance with the chronic hazard labeling standard, ASTM D 4236, and the U.S. Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act (LHAMA). For more information, you can search the Internet on topics such as "Are permanent markers toxic?," "What does ACMI AP certification mean?," "What is ASTM D-4236 certification?," or look up the MSDS for a particular brand of permanent marker.

And on ACMI's website, it reminds readers (1) not to put your pen in your mouth, (2) to avoid skin contact, and (3) to avoid eating art materials. Moreover, "never use products for skin painting or food preparation unless indicated that the product is meant to be used in this way." (https://www.acmiart.org/index.php/art-material-safety/safety-tips-what-you-need-to-know)

Buyers are cautioned to consider the health and safety of the intended recipients of their stamped flatware gifts. Sellers who do not disclose the method of darkening the stamped characters on their products intended for use with food may inadvertently be using markers/paints/products that, although possibly labeled as "non-toxic," still could be potential irritants, allergens, or worse.

The stamped characters on my pennies, GOLD-plated and silver-plated garden markers, silver-plated jewelry, and silver-plated ornaments (coming soon) are colored with a permanent, water-resistant, fade-resistant black dye. Even this "permanent" dye will fade over time. However, those products are *NOT* food safe.


💗 💗 💗 Please review the information found in the above "Shipping & Policies" tab or visit:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/AmySueCrafts/policy
↓
↓
↓
🌟 ✺ 🌟 ✺ 🌟 ✺ 🌟 ✺ 🌟 ✺ 🌟 ✺ 🌟 ✺ 🌟 ✺ 🌟 ✺ 🌟 ✺ 🌟 ✺ 🌟 ✺ 🌟
Please READ the Additional Details Below. Your Purchase
of This Item Acknowledges That You Have Read, Accept,
and Understand the Below Information & Policies:
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓

✔ Please review AmySueCrafts's "Shipping & Policies" available at the tab above or go to: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AmySueCrafts/policy

✔ Items created by AmySueCrafts are NOT toys. Please do not allow children, pets, or other adults to play with these items. Many items are breakable and also pose a choking hazard. Never put pennies, coins, charms, or other small items in your mouth (or allow others to do so).

✔ Except in the case of ready-to-ship items, the items pictured are EXAMPLES ONLY; yours will vary based on your customization choices and natural variations in the hand-stamping process.

✔ Care Instructions for Your Handmade Item:
- Avoid direct contact with lotion, oil, perfume/cologne, hairspray, sunscreen, bug spray, and other chemicals (e.g., harsh detergents, household cleaners, bleach, alcohol, acids, etc.)
- Avoid contact with water – do not shower with OR swim with your keychains, pendants, jewelry, or other items created by AmySueCrafts; chlorine and other chemicals in water can damage, discolor, and/or destroy your handcrafted items
- In addition, keep resin-based items (e.g., music cufflinks, resin flower pendants, etc.) away from extended exposure to direct sunlight and high temperatures
- For vintage silverware, please refer to the care instructions included with your order

✔ Each hand-stamped item is stamped by me, by hand, using a hammer -- one letter/number/character/symbol at a time -- so the letters/characters/numbers may not be perfectly lined up, which only adds to the charming, rustic appeal of an item. No two will ever look the same!

✔ PLEASE be certain to provide me with ALL requested customization details at Checkout. Failure to do so can result in shipping delays which are beyond my control per my policies. If I need to follow up via convos and/or emails to gather missing custom details, your response time will determine when your item is able to be created. Thanks for understanding.

✔ If you need RUSH Order Processing (for an extra fee) to create your item faster than the standard production time listed above, please convo me prior to ordering.

✔ AmySueCrafts accepts payment via ALL major credit cards as well as PayPal. Please also note that payment by eCheck (checking account) or debit card *may* delay your order; those forms of payment often take 3-5 business days to clear the bank.

✔ AmySueCrafts is ***typically*** open for orders SUNDAYS through THURSDAYS (closed for ordering on Fridays & Saturdays). I also close periodically for additional days to ensure I continue to complete all orders in a timely fashion. For current scheduling, please see my “Announcements” on my home page (www.AmySueCrafts.Etsy.com). Please refer to your order convo and/or receipt for your ship-by date. You will receive a tracking number via Etsy convo when your order ships.

✔ Custom order requests are always welcome!

✔ INSURANCE is available on any purchase. Please click here to access the insurance add-on: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AmySueCrafts/search?search_query=insurance. Customer satisfaction is one of my primary goals, but please understand that AmySueCrafts is not responsible for packages once they are in the hands of USPS. I do not work for USPS or have any control over how USPS handles packages. Packages lost or damaged by USPS are not the fault of AmySueCrafts.

Once a package is picked up by USPS and leaves my hands, AmySueCrafts is not responsible for delivery delays, lost packages, undelivered packages, or damaged packages. Lost, damaged, undelivered, or returned packages paid without insurance are the responsibility of the buyer, not AmySueCrafts. If you choose not purchase insurance and your package is lost, damaged, or not delivered by USPS, AmySueCrafts is not liable and cannot provide a refund. Lost/damaged/undelivered packages that are not insured are also not reimbursable via USPS, even if they have USPS Tracking™.