The are sturdy and get the job done, but I am disappointed in them. We hand wash all of our dishes with a soft sponge and mild average dish soap. Within three or four washes the gold rim on the dishes had already tarnished and it went from being a bright gold began to a dark brownish, faded brass color. These dishes were not cheap, and so for that to happen at all, let alone immediately was very upsetting. Especially since we had also bought gold utensils to match which now are far to gold and bright  next to the tarnished rims of the plates. Also, so of the coffee mugs had white spots (where the black paint didn't take) and/or gold brush strokes on the black 'body' of the mug.