A set of sterling silver flatware was once a standard wedding present given to upper middle class brides. That was decades ago, before sterling prices skyrocketed.

Now we’re noticing a new trend at antique shows and flea markets. Bins of sterling flatware in an assortment of patterns are attracting shoppers. They’re buying table settings without worrying about matching patterns—because silver forks, knives and spoons don’t have to match perfectly to look perfect at a dining table. And a single spoon costs much less than one in a set.

The trend has been picked up by retailers. The latest Horchow catalog offers a 90-piece set of stainless steel “Hotel flatware” in seven different English silver patterns. Each seven-piece place setting is a mix of the patterns. The set is manufactured by Towle.