Gold is a very very soft metal. It is virtually useless as cutlery.
Take a fork or spoon to a local jeweler, preferably one who is a Gemologist, and ask him for the current value of your pieces. He will be able to tell you if your cutlery is plated over base metal like steel (probable) or over silver (this is called vermeil and is less likely, but more valuable).
The gold plating has two purposes: for pretty and because gold does not tarnish.
