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What is the difference between satin finish and a 'normal' run of the mill stainless steel sink?

just as the headline shows - looking at new kitchen sink and see two identical but price is very different between 'satin finish' and Polished 18/10 Stainless Steel finish?
I am supposed to think therefore that the satin finish is better?
any advice very appreciated

Wilma Edwards
public buyer - Essex, UK
February 13, 2011

Hi, Wilma. There are no laws and no accepted standards for what "satin finish" and "polished" mean. They are of equivalent value, and it's a matter of taste. The polished sink will exhibit some small amount of reflectivity (mirror-like reflection); the satin finish has thousands of small scratches which make it more matte-like and whitish. Unlike satin clothes that are shinier than other clothes, satin finished metal is less shiny than polished metal.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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