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Letter 10366 1 2
++++++ I carefully washed my inherited Dirilyte flatware and stored it in anti-tarnish cloth - DON'T DO IT...I pulled it out to use maybe 6 months later and it was all RUINED or at least it looked ruined. I sent it all in to be replated...Very Expensive. Pam S
++++++ I did not know what metal "Dirigold" was, so I tried a product called Mr. Metal [link is to product info at Amazon] (which works for a variety of metals.) Mr Metal claims that you don't have to rub or buff - wrong! It took some "elbow grease" but the brilliant shine was worth it! The pieces are beautiful! Just for the record, I was polishing holloware, not flatware. Elisabeth H
++++++ The man who suggests Brasso [link is to product info at Amazon] and "0000" Steel Wool [link is to product info at Rockler] and a soft cloth for the cleaning and shining of Dirigold is using common sense; most likely gained while in the military in the pre-volunteer era where BRASSO was a component of how one spent free time. It does require a lot of rubbing and enlisting the services of a "young fool" as suggested by another contributor is a good idea. Better yet is having a youngster, either son or daughter, perform the task. You can think about things when polishing flatware [just like when ironing] and there is practically nothing we do where such a satisfactory and reasonably short outcome is within our control. Ken L |
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Eve M stated to try white vinegar, hot water, and salt.I didn't know anything about this flatware until I happened on this site.I decided to try her method on some Dirigold that was my in-laws.I have to say it worked like a charm . I had no idea this flatware could shine so beautifully and it really was easy.I will add I added a drop of dove dish soap to the mixture and dried it with a terrycloth dish towel. Now I have to find something else to store it in since my mother -in-law always kept it in a no tarnish silver safe box. I guess I will try the flannel .Thanks for helping me enjoy this beautiful gift left to us by Mary . Does anyone know how to date this flatware? Is it all from the thirties? Was it made in the USA or somewhere else?Just wondering. jgk
Joan K 
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
History of Dirigold/Dirilyte - the 'romance' story? I understand
product originated in Sweden - who did it, where and when. When did
it come to the U.S. (Kokomo, Indiana I'm told)? I find the product
interesting, attractive and am curious, but find nothing in library
or online except a lot of it for sale!
Thank you.
Carol P
consumer - Fort Wayne, Indiana
This is a condensed version of a history of Dirilyte that used to
be posted on the company's web site.
Dirilyte, as it is known today, was originally called Dirigold. The
Dirilyte metal was originally developed by Carl Molin, a Swedish
metallurgist, in 1914. While presenting his Dirigold items at the New
York World Fair, Molin experienced such tremendous acceptance that he
decided to return to Sweden to earnestly manufacture and develop the
Dirigold line.
After weeks of planning and experimentation, the company started
production in 1919. It was at this time that Mr. Molin was joined by
Oscar Von Malmborg and the Dirigold Company was formed. At the
conclusion of the Golhenburg Exposition in 1923, during which a large
quantity of Dirigold was sold, the young company was approached by
Swedish-Americans who proposed that the company move to
America.
In 1924, Mr. Von Malmborg moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and formed
a selling company, while Mr. Molin stayed in Orebor, Sweden and
continued manufacturing the golden-hued tableware. In 1926, the
decision was made to manufacture the Dirigold product in
America.
1935 saw the Federal Trade Commission bring suit against the company,
charging that the "Dirigold" name was misleading to the public, as
there was no gold in the product. As a result, the company was forced
to change its corporate and product name. The company was renamed The
Dirilyte Company of America, and the product was called
Dirilyte.
Dirilyte is a handcrafted item with the warmth and beauty only hand
work can achieve. The pieces are individually finished by skilled
craftsmen with years of experience.
Dirilyte metal is a very hard and durable bronze alloy, much harder
than sterling silver. Its rich, warm golden color extends all the way
through each piece. Dirilyte flatware, hollowware, and awards are
solid. There is no plating used. Production of flatware and
hollowware stopped in 1986.
Alfred M. Baggett
- Memphis, Tennessee
I have just acquired a flatware service of Thai nickle-bronze that needs polish. We didn't know if the dishwasher was appropriate to clean this stuff. Its tarnished and I'm not sure if it has lacquer on it or not. Thanks for your help....
Charles Callender
- Selbyville, Delaware
+++++++
Dear Dirilyte Users,
While working on the interior design of an antique cape over the
course of 2 months, I became rather addicted to estate sales, antique
shops, and consignment stores!
This morning I discovered a complete set of Dirilyte at my favorite
neighborhood antique shop, service for 12, with incredibly designed
serving pieces, butter knives, and iced tea spoons! Something about
it was compelling and I purchased it. What is the value of this kind
of set? I had never heard of Dirilyte until today!
donna lee k
hobbyist - Cambridge, Massachusetts
Ed. note: What you paid is clearly one element in determining what this stuff can be bought for, Donna Lee, so please post that; e-bay prices are another indication.
I have inherited a 100-piece set of Dorling goldtone flatware. There is a polishing cloth in the heavy wooden box that says Dorling Company of America, Jenkintown, PA. I have tried to google to see what relationship Dorling has to Dirilyte-Dirigold and can find nothing but sales of Dirilyte. Does anyone know about Dorling? and what the connection is? There is Dirilyte paperwork in the box with this Dorling flatware????? I'm confused and shocked that Goggle has nothing to explain. Thanks.
Linda South
- New Egypt, New Jersey
I don't think Google comes up empty, Linda; the results are just buried under so many other references. Try "dorling flatware -Kindersley" "dorling goldtone -Kindersley" and "dorling silverware -Kindersley" (to get the millions of pages about publisher Dorling Kindersley out of your google hit list). Good luck.
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I was given a set of Dirilyte starting when I was 13 and completed when I married in 1957. I agree it is a pain to polish but the beauty of it is worth it. I have a 12 place set. I can tell anyone how to get the BP finish off. My youngest daughter decided she was going to polish the Dirilyte and the pieces without the BP polished nicely and fairly quickly. She then came to a tablespoon with the BP and it was partially off from wear so she went ahead and rubbed & rubbed with the official Dirilyte polish and with elbow grease and patience she removed the BP from all the remaining pieces that had it on them. (She will be the one to inherit the whole set when the time comes) But now my problem is: I need more of the polish. I have tried Brasso and it sort of works and I have tried simichrome and it sort of works but nothing works as well as the original so can anyone tell me where I can get it? Karen
Karen Krumpelmann
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
4-3-08
After reading the wonderful information on this page, I chose to
clean my Thai bronze flatware in vinegar and salt with tin foil in
the bottom of a loaf pan. It did not produce the shine I desired, so
I polished each piece with Brasso. It turned out beautiful and shiny.
It took about an hour to polish 6 place settings while watching a
movie.
Alice
Alice Ray-Overstreet
- Lakeland, Florida
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April 12, 2008 I purchased my first place setting in the mid 1960's, it originally was very expensive. I regret buying it with the Bonded Protective coating as those pieces have that lacquer coating that cannot be polished over, but needs to be removed before you can bring back that original beautiful gold color and luster. Over the years I've found many pieces at swap meets, etc. and I've tried every trick in the book to clean and polish. I have come to the conclusion that a small investment in a Dremel or similar roto-tool is the best and easiest way to clean and polish. I use a little Wenol [link is to product info at Amazon] metal polish ( SimiChrome [link is to product info at Amazon] is similar) on a felt buffing wheel and years of tarnish comes right off. It takes time, but no hard rubbing; the tool does it all. Carole A. Walton |
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To all the Dirilyte owners. Information on the Dirigold/Dirilyte
Company can be found on many websites.
My grt-grandfather and grandfather worked with Carl Molin at the
Dirigold/Dirilyte Company in Kokomo, IN. My father
was the general manager until the 1980's. Treat the Dirilyte
carefully and it will last forever. If I tried to
remove the bp the way others have mentioned my dad would roll over in
his grave.
Dirilyte was used in the White House until Nixon was president. It
sold in the finest jewelry stores, etc. The flatware always had the
dirigold/Dirilyte stamp. Holloware (trivets, compotes, etc) were sold
to other companies and were identified by the letter "G". Today it
can be found in lots of antique shops etc.Most people are not aware
of Dirilyte and the fact that at one time it sold for more than
silver.
Mary Boodt
- Indianapolis, Indiana
July 27, 2008
Question for Mary B -
I have some pieces with the BP and they are tarnished. Do you know
how to clean those?
Linda Bonnel
- Novato, California
September 2, 2008
TO: Karen K - Minneapolis, MN
IN ANSWER TO WHERE TO GET THE DIRILYTE POLISH, YOU CAN EMAIL DEB
HARRINGTON AT: djh@handindustries.com . THAT'S THE COMPANY IN WARSAW,
IN THAT HAS TAKEN OVER THE SALE OF DIRILYTE POLISH. I JUST ORDERED
THE POLISH LAST WEEK, HAVEN'T YET REC'D IT, BUT EXPECT TO SOMETIME
THIS WEEK. DEB WAS VERY HELPFUL, GIVING VARIOUS METHODS OF PMT.
JANIE EILERS
- MINNEAPOLIS, MN, USA
October 22, 2008
I am recipient of my aunt's Dirigold small goblets she rec'd as wedding present (probably 1920s). I keep them in an armoire (fitted as a bar). Use them for after dinner drinks i.e. Baileys, B&B, etc. Every once in a while I just use Wright's Copper Cream [link is to product info at Amazon]. So easy.
Wynne Gensey
- Twin Falls, Idaho
November 25, 2008
I purchased my service for 12 set of Dorling tableware in 1956. At the time I lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It does need polishing about twice a year if used regularly for company. Never put it in the dishwasher! I was a new bride, my husband was in the US Army in Korea. The $195.00 that I paid was for table ware, 4 holloware pieces and serving pieces. It is still lovely and worth the work of polishing.
Darlene Hyndman
- Stuart, Florida
December 21, 2008
Has anyone tried using an electric wheel buffer? I'm going to try it, seems it would be easier on the hands and quicker too, than brillo pad torture.
Catherine Werner
- North East, Maryland
February 24, 2009
I purchased 2 sets of bronze ware in Thailand in approx 1965. It
has been stored in a
shed in Miami Florida for about 30 years. Needless to say it has
turned green etc.
The pieces have wooded handles which look ok.
What can we use to clean and restore this flatware to service?
Tom Pritchard
hobbyist - Cape Coral,, Florida
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March 29, 2009 My parents handed down their collection of Dirilyte to me and thought they were doing me a favor by wrapping each piece in plastic wrap!! Now the wrap is melted on. Some will peel off, but some is stuck. Any suggestions to getting it off without damaging the finish? Sue woodman Because Dirilyte is solid brass, you can use a sharp knife to carefully get under the plastic wrap and peel or even scrape lightly to remove the plastic. Putting rthe pieces in the freezer first for an hour or two may help the process too. (Any scrapes will polish out by a professional polishing firm.) R. C. Fischbach
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