Dear customer, since this set is made of 18/10 stainless steel, it is not expected to darken under normal use. Its stainless steel construction is designed to maintain its shine for a long time with proper use. Yes, it is suitable even if you buy it for dowry and will not use it immediately; the product comes in its own box and since it is 18/10 stainless steel, it can be used for a long time without any problems when stored correctly. It is also dishwasher safe. The thickness of the parts of this set, including the handles, is 3 mm for the dinner spoon/fork and dinner knife, 2.5 mm for the dessert spoon/fork, and 2.2 mm for the teaspoon. If you don't like thin handles, especially the dining group parts offer a more solid grip with 3 mm thickness.