Don't put the tea cups with the little band of silver in a microwave. You'll notice some nice sparking if you do, which probably does more damage to the trim then the microwave.
I'm with most when I say: Use the stuff, and don't worry about replacement value or any of that other nonsense. My mom recently obtained her parents fine, old school, wedding china, to the tune of a 16 person setting with all the additional serving, baking, plattering and gravying, etc, etc...pieces, and when she went to have it appraised she was informed that there is currently a flood of these sets, and pieces of sets and they aren't really worth all that much. Not even for a rare and complete 16 person set up. Since you have no sentimental or familial attachment to the stuff, don't worry about a thing, use it to your hearts content, and be aware that there is plenty of fine china to be had, and it isn't really all that expensive.
-bear
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It's alot easier to ask for forgiveness then it is to ask for permission.
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