Most Christofle cutlery is silver plate, not solid silver: its value by weight is near zero and it is not bought at the silver price. Any value it has is a second-hand value (model, condition, completeness), which should be checked against the hallmark.
Christofle is a table-ware house whose regular output is mostly silver plate: a base metal covered with a thin layer of silver. Unlike solid silver, this plating has a near-zero value by weight and is not bought at the silver price.
The main clue is the hallmark: silver plate carries a maker's mark, often square in shape, and no Minerva hallmark. Some high-end pieces do exist in solid silver, identifiable by the Minerva: you should therefore always check the hallmark before drawing any conclusion, without disparaging a house recognised for its build quality.
For silver plate, value comes not from the metal but from the second-hand and brand market. It depends on how sought-after the model is, on overall condition (no deep scratches, unworn plating), and above all on the completeness of the set: a full, matching service in its case resells better than a single piece.
This value belongs to antique dealers, private sales or table-ware specialists, not to buyback by weight. If, on the other hand, a piece carries a Minerva hallmark, it is solid silver and is calculated at the price: see our guide on calculating your silverware's value for the method.
Before any step, examine each piece with a magnifying glass to read the marks: a Minerva points to solid silver and a silver buyback at the price; a square maker's mark with no Minerva confirms silver plate, to be directed to the second-hand market.
Avoid over-cleaning: aggressive cleaning can damage the plating and patina, and reduce the value of a second-hand piece. Gather the elements that add value to a set (original case, number of pieces, model reference). A careful but non-abrasive presentation is enough for a second-hand resale.
No, if it is silver plate: its value by weight is near zero. It is only bought at the price if it carries a Minerva hallmark attesting solid silver, which remains the minority case.
Look at the hallmark. A square maker's mark with no Minerva indicates silver plate. A Minerva hallmark (950 or 800 thousandths) attests solid silver, which can be calculated at the day's price.