What's the difference between mirror polish and satin/matte finish?

Mirror polish is the bright, reflective look most associated with traditional silverware; satin or matte finishes have a brushed, lower-sheen appearance that hides fingerprints and minor scratches better. Across the reviewers we read, neither finish is more durable than the other in the abstract — the underlying steel grade matters far more — but matte finishes are flagged in some retailer reviews as easier to live with day-to-day.