How to distinguish silver from cupronickel - features, effective methods and reviews
When choosing jewelry in a jewelry store, the eye certainly falls on silver. This metal is no worse than gold or platinum, and many girls like it much better, but its price is much more reasonable. But this precious metal is counterfeited very often, and in order not to fall for scammers, you must be able to distinguish the original from the fake.
About silver
Since ancient times, silver has been valued for its beauty and physical qualities. In nature, it is found in the form of nuggets, sometimes reaching enormous sizes; the largest nugget found during smelting yielded 20 tons of pure silver.
Unfortunately, most of the silver that can be found is found in combination with other substances, which makes it very difficult to smelt pure metal nuggets.
If we talk about the physical properties of silver, then special attention is paid to its ductility; from 1 g of silver the thinnest wire 2 km long is obtained, as well as the fact that this metal is considered precious and is used by jewelers - its ability not to oxidize under the influence of oxygen.
About cupronickel
Cupronickel is an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc. Externally, this metal is very similar to silver, which is what many take advantage of by selling counterfeits made of cupronickel under the guise of this precious metal. Cupronickel is often used to make dishes and, less commonly, jewelry.
But in this case, how to distinguish cupronickel from silver? Reviews from customers and experts say that the first and main rule is to think about where exactly to buy it. This is where the whole process should begin. You will not need to find out how to distinguish silver from cupronickel if the product was purchased at a large jewelry store.
He will not allow himself to ruin his reputation by selling counterfeits. It's a different matter for pawn shops and those who want to sell jewelry "from hand", they will most likely sell a fake.
Most often, a fake can be found on vacation, for example, in Egypt or Thailand. In such places, jewelry is often bought at markets. Of course, it's worth trying out the local flavor, but it can be too expensive if you are gullible.
The easiest way to determine if silver is real is to heat the item, for example, by rubbing it on your hand, silver has a high thermal conductivity and will heat up much faster than any other metal.
There are other ways to distinguish silver from other metals and cupronickel, using a magnet, needle or chalk.
Tactile method
There are several tactile ways to distinguish silver from cupronickel and other fakes. One of them was described above, namely, to heat the product.
But, in addition to temperature, after heating an object by rubbing it with your hand, you should pay attention to the skin.
If there are no stains left on it, most likely it is high-quality silver, but dark marks remaining on the skin indicate that the product contains too much zinc, which is harmful to the body, and you should not wear such jewelry or use such utensils.
The authenticity of silver can also be determined by the weight of the item: silver is much heavier than other metals. This task is best handled by a professional, but an ordinary person can determine its authenticity by simply comparing the weight of the item with a similar silver one.
Also, one of the simplest ways to check the authenticity of metal, which can be used right in the store, is to check the sample. If a fake has one, it will be erased or unclear. The “MNC” symbol, which stands for magnesium, nickel, zinc - the composition of the cupronickel alloy, can also serve as a difference between silver and cupronickel.
Products from different countries may have different markings, but not a single manufacturing country has a standard with simply the inscription “925”; there are always other signs - images or inscriptions; it is with fakes that the standard is most often found only in the form of a number.
This will help those who are wondering how to distinguish cupronickel from silver, but did not have any available means, such as chalk, with them.
Magnet
A less reliable, but still valid method for distinguishing silver from other metals is a magnet. Very often I insert silver parts into products made from ordinary, base metals. For example, these could be links in a chain with a sample. In this case, a magnet can help; silver is never attracted to it. But this method is not reliable, since not only does the magnet not attract silver, but cupronickel and non-ferrous metals also do not react to the magnet.
Needle
Another common way to counterfeit silver jewelry or tableware is to coat copper or other metal with a thin layer of silver. In this case, a regular needle can help distinguish a fake. It is enough to scratch the product with it, and if dark metal appears inside, then it is definitely a fake. However, this method is not suitable for those who are afraid of ruining the appearance of the item.
Sulfur ointment and lapis pencil
Sulfur ointment, which can be bought at any pharmacy, will also help to distinguish silver: when you rub this substance on a silver item, a black mark will appear on it within an hour. The only negative is that you will have to scrub the silver from the blackness. There is also a way to identify exactly the cupronickel alloy; to do this, you need to run a lapis pencil over the metal - it will leave a dark mark on the product.
Iodine
You can check the authenticity with another means available at any pharmacy, namely iodine.
Cupronickel and other metals do not change their appearance under the influence of iodine; low-quality silver, with a large percentage of zinc impurities, will change its color to blue, but real silver, as soon as iodine is dropped on it, will turn black.
But this method is also undesirable for those who do not know how to clean silver. But don’t despair, there’s plenty of advice on the Internet on how to do this. The most reliable way is to use a special cleaning cloth or silver cleaning solution.
Chalk
Another method that can be used in a jewelry store before purchasing a piece is to rub it with regular chalk. When it comes into contact with silver, the chalk becomes covered with a black coating. Unfortunately, this method will not help if the fake is coated with a layer of silver.
And one more rule that is worth taking note when coming to a jewelry store or, especially, buying jewelry secondhand: before purchasing a product, you should find out the silver rate. Information like this can be very useful if you know how to use it.
It is important to remember that the price of jewelry or any other silver product cannot be less than or equal to the cost of silver of the corresponding weight. The price quoted by the seller also includes labor. If a seller offers a heavy ring or pendant for next to nothing, it is one hundred percent fake. Accuracy and attentiveness when choosing purchases will help you avoid unnecessary expenses.
Source: https://FB.ru/article/398895/kak-otlichit-serebro-ot-melhiora---osobennosti-effektivnyie-sposobyi-i-otzyivyi
How to distinguish cupronickel from silver
Many lovers of silver products always think about how to distinguish cupronickel from silver, so as not to regret anything later. First, let’s look at what cupronickel is, and then we’ll figure out how to identify cupronickel at home.
What is cupronickel
In appearance, cupronickel is very similar to silver. Since such an alloy is an excellent simulator of silver, many do not know how to distinguish cupronickel from silver. If we compare these two substances, we can safely say that cupronickel is mechanically stronger than silver. Due to the large amount of other metals, this alloy is protected from corrosion.
In fact, cupronickel is a silver alloy that contains copper and nickel, but sometimes manganese and iron are also used.
What is the difference between cupronickel and silver?
It will take time to distinguish cupronickel from silver, because in reality it is not so simple.
As mentioned above, cupronickel is a silver alloy, so if you find the abbreviation MNC on a product, which means that it contains copper, nickel and zinc, then this product is definitely made of cupronickel. A silver item always bears a hallmark number, just like other precious jewelry.
Many people don’t know how to identify cupronickel at home, but in fact it’s very simple:
- Take a silver spoon and place it in water; if the cutlery has a greenish tint, then, unfortunately, the product is not silver. Silver is water resistant and will never change its color.
- Take a lapis pencil and rub the product; if a stain appears, then cupronickel was used to make it.
- If you pick up a silver piece of jewelry, it will be much heavier than the same piece of nickel silver jewelry.
- When you come to a jewelry store, always pay attention to the cost of the silver item. If the price is too low, then it is definitely not silver.
- Using cutlery made of cupronickel is not very pleasant, since you can smell copper from them.
- Take a piece of silver jewelry and apply iodine to it; if you put the piece in the sun, the real silver jewelry will darken.
Unfortunately, it is the dishes that are most often made from cupronickel, but they write that this is a silver product, so it is better to know how cupronickel differs from silver. Since it is very difficult to see at first glance what the product is made of, you should simply trust the seller or look at the sample.
How to care for kitchen appliances made of silver and cupronickel
Many people ask how to properly care for spoons and forks made of silver and silver alloy. There are several tips for caring for your appliances so that you can use them for a long time:
- You can use a suede cloth, crushed chalk and even vodka. You can clean all kitchen appliances using these methods, but you will have to spend a whole day to do this, and these procedures should be done quite often.
- Dip the devices in ammonia and rinse with clean water.
- Any housewife can find onion and garlic peels. Place on fire and pour water into the husk. When the broth boils, lower the kitchen utensils into it and leave for a few minutes.
- Also, a solution with citric acid will help clean nickel silver devices.
In fact, if you use the same means for caring for silver as for nickel silver, you can achieve the same result. Silver items are simply more fragile and require more attention.
How to distinguish cupronickel from silver Link to main publication
Source: https://soveti-masterov.com/hitrosti/kak-otlichit-melhior-ot-serebra.html
Cupronickel and silver: why are they so similar and how to tell them apart
French scientists Maillot and Chaurier explored the possibilities of modifying copper alloys at the beginning of the 19th century. Four years of experiments showed that adding nickel to the alloy increased the corrosion properties.
Initially, the alloy was named Myshor, after the first three letters of the inventors. The active use of the alloy in Germany transformed its name taking into account the German pronunciation - cupronickel, which is still used today.
What the alloy is and for what reasons the Germans loved it so much will be discussed below.
Cupronickel alloys: types and chemical composition
Cupronickel is a copper alloy whose main alloying element is nickel. To increase corrosion resistance to sea water, iron and manganese compounds are added to the alloy.
There are about 65 types of cupronickel, but the most common in production are:
- MNZHMts 30-1-1 . 30% of its composition is nickel, 1% iron and 1% manganese.
- MH19 differs in composition from the above brand in the absence of iron and manganese: 19% nickel, the rest copper.
A three-component copper-nickel alloy – nickel silver – is also known. In addition to nickel and copper, its composition contains 13-45% zinc. Nickel silver, in comparison with cupronickel, is characterized by a higher strength value. Handles well under pressure. In its ability to resist corrosion, the nickel silver alloy is inferior to cupronickel, but is quite resistant to most salt solutions and organic acids.
Method number 4. Boiling water
- Almost all available methods for checking the authenticity of silver are based on the properties of this metal. For example, jewelry made from high-quality alloys have high thermal conductivity. Simply put, silver products heat up quickly and cool down immediately.
- You can understand that you have a truly high-quality product in front of you using boiling water. Heat the liquid to 100 degrees, add the decoration (without stones) into it. Wait 10-15 seconds, remove.
- If the metal is so hot that you can hardly hold it in your hands, the silver is real.
In this case, the product will cool down in a matter of seconds. The fake decoration will be barely warm.
Physico-mechanical characteristics
Cupronickel alloy is similar in appearance to silver, but has a lower density, which is 8900 kg/m3. The melting point of cupronickel depends on the grade of the alloy and ranges from 1190-1230 ºС.
The electrical resistivity of cupronickel is 285 nOhm*m, which is almost 20 times higher than that of copper. A decrease in the iron and manganese content in the alloy contributes to the ability to conduct electric current.
Cupronickel has a high temperature coefficient of linear expansion of 16*10-6 1\Co. The alloy does not react to a magnetic field.
The strength characteristics of cupronickel are comparable to those of steel St.3. Temporary tensile strength is in the range of 390-400 MPa. Cupronickel alloy is not very hard. On average it is 65-70 units on the Brinell scale.
To increase hardness, the alloy is subjected to heat treatment, which includes heating to a temperature of 250-300 C and slow cooling in a furnace. Also, the mechanical properties of cupronickel are enhanced by cold-hardening of its surface.
Cupronickel is considered a highly plastic alloy. The relative compressive elongation of MH19 is 35%. The introduction of manganese and iron into the composition of cupronickel reduces ductility. Thus, the relative elongation in compression of the MNZhMts 30-1-1 alloy is already 25%.
Method number 6. Magnet
- Sophisticated falsifiers have adapted to deceive people in every possible way. They create, for example, a chain whose links are made of different alloys.
- Simply put, a bracelet or chain has many links. The sample is placed on some circles, but not on others.
What to do in this case to be sure of the quality of the decoration?
- Take a powerful magnet. Lay out the entire length of the jewelry if it is a chain or bracelet. Start slowly moving the magnet 3-5 mm. from decoration. Silver is not attractive, but a fake is easy.
- It is important to understand that non-ferrous metal or cupronickel is not magnetic.
However, such alloys do not include silver. We can say that this method is not very reliable.
Application area
Due to all of the above qualities, cupronickel alloys have found the following use in various industries:
- In the manufacture of components and parts for the marine industry: coolers, expansion barrels, etc.
- In electrical engineering, cupronickel alloy is used to produce devices for converting thermal energy into electrical energy - thermogenerators. In addition, cupronickel is a material for the manufacture of particularly precise resistors.
- Cupronickel serves as a raw material for the manufacture of medical instruments: surgical tweezers, scalpels, ophthalmoscopes, etc.
- The aesthetic properties of cupronickel allowed it to occupy a certain niche in the jewelry business, making jewelry.
- They produce cutlery and crockery.
- Cupronickel is actively used in numismatics in the manufacture of coins. Thus, the plan for 2020 of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation indicates the minting of commemorative coins with a face value of 10 rubles from cupronickel alloy in the amount of 15,000,000 rubles.
- Cupronickel is used in the production of pipelines. Moreover, they produce both pipes and fittings for connecting them. This includes adapters, tees, crosses, nipples, union nuts, ball valves, chokes, etc.
Care Tips
When purchasing cupronickel tableware, you need to make sure that the product is not counterfeit and is manufactured using the correct technology. Therefore, it is better to make a purchase in specialized stores, and also ask the seller to show a quality certificate. When caring for cupronickel tableware, you should follow these rules:
- Do not leave wet so that the dishes do not darken. If cutlery is rarely used, then after washing it is wiped dry, dried well and stored in a plastic bag or closed container. Otherwise, even the entry of moist air can cause oxidation.
- When washing, do not use harsh abrasives or chemical compounds. Kitchen utensils made of cupronickel should be washed in a warm soapy solution with a soft sponge; under no circumstances should they be exposed to chlorine or any other strong agents. Washing in the dishwasher is also too aggressive for such dishes.
If, due to improper care or simply over time, kitchen appliances have darkened, simple methods using home remedies will help restore them to their former appearance:
- Soda – dissolve 50 grams in a liter of warm water, wash the products, rinse in cold water, wipe dry.
- Ammonia - use in the same way as when cleaning with soda, dissolve 2-3 tablespoons in a liter of water.
- Chalk – apply crushed chalk or ready-made powder to a suede cloth and wipe the dishes until they shine. The abrasive chalk particles are very small and will not leave scratches.
- Tooth powder – works in the same way as chalk.
- Foil - cover the bottom of an aluminum pan with a layer of foil, place the cutlery on it and fill it with water. Add 2 tablespoons of soda, boil for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with cold running water.
All of the above methods are also relevant for cleaning silver-plated products. By following these simple rules of operation and maintenance, you can significantly extend the service life of your products. Then nickel silver dishes and cutlery will be able to please the eye of their owner for a long time.
Cutlery should be stored in special suitcases or drawers.
You can use baking soda and ammonia for cleaning.
Source: https://instanko.ru/drugoe/melhior-sostav.html
How to distinguish silver from cupronickel at home?
Since ancient times, silver cutlery has been considered a sign of wealth and unique taste. But not everyone could afford such a luxury. In the 19th century, with the beginning of mass production of cupronickel tableware, many housewives had the opportunity to set the table with equally solid cutlery, very similar to silver.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zO_poAblmw
Silver is a precious noble metal, from which not only dishes were made, but also jewelry, coins, and figurines. Quite often it was replaced with similar inexpensive cupronickel. Why did they even spray the products? Therefore, the question arose - silver or cupronickel, how to determine? Over time, people learned to distinguish these metals.
What is the difference between cupronickel and silver?
Cupronickel is an alloy of non-ferrous metals - copper, nickel, iron, manganese. Thanks to the precision of their concentrations, it has increased strength, which makes the products durable. The alloy is also plastic, which is convenient for creating decorative elements of dishes. In addition, it has anti-corrosion quality.
Silver is a shiny gray-white metal with high thermal conductivity. It is refractory, but superplastic. It lends itself well to polishing, cutting, twisting, rolling, stretching, which makes it indispensable in jewelry and tableware crafts. But products made of pure metal are too soft and delicate, this reduces their service life. Therefore, copper is added to silver to improve its strength.
Under the influence of O2, silver does not oxidize, but iodine and H2S cause it to darken, and a rainbow-shaped film is formed on the surface of products made from it.
In nature, this metal occurs in the form of nuggets, which also contain other compounds. The leaders in silver mining are Peru, Mexico, and China.
People value silver products for their ability to disinfect water; they effectively prevent the growth of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. And the neutral properties of the dishes allow you to preserve the natural taste of the dish.
Nickel silver and silver are very similar in color, but there are other ways to help determine the difference between them.
How to distinguish metals?
There are several proven methods that are used to inspect a home.
Sewing needle
Often, jewelry and tableware made from cupronickel are silvered on top, covering them with a thin layer, which makes them even more similar to the precious metal. Using a needle you can distinguish metals. To do this, you need to carefully scratch the product with a needle in an inconspicuous place. If dark metal appears inside the damage, then this is a nickel silver manufacturing option.
Nitric acid
Ordinary nitric acid will help to distinguish silver from cupronickel; it and other reagents are used to check the authenticity of the metal in jewelry stores. It is enough to scratch the surfaces a little and drip the composition. The reaction will be different, the silver will darken, and the copper alloy will give a green tint.
It is important to protect your face with a mask and gloves before the procedure.
lapis pencil
This inexpensive product is sold in pharmacies. If it is applied to the surface of cupronickel utensils, it will darken, while silver utensils will not react in any way, because the pencil contains silver nitrate.
Boiling water
Using this method, you can easily distinguish a silver spoon from a cupronickel spoon, even during tea drinking. To do this, you need to put it in boiling water or hot tea. If the spoon heats up quickly, then it is silver, since it has high thermal conductivity compared to cupronickel.
Sulfuric ointment
A simple ointment purchased at a pharmacy will help you distinguish a silver device. The surface of the product is rubbed with it. If darkening appears within an hour, then it is silver.
How to determine whether silver is silver or not at home
Counterfeiting silver is a rarer occurrence when compared to other precious metals. It's all about the lower cost of raw materials. But counterfeit goods sometimes pop up on the shelves of jewelry stores. Buyers often complain that the surface quickly darkens, and the decoration is difficult to return to its original appearance. To avoid such situations, you should study the basic points of identifying a high-quality alloy and how to check the metal for signs of counterfeit.
Stamp and hallmark
Products made from pure silver are visually beautiful, but are not practical. Due to the increased ductility of the metal, the product quickly ceases to shine in the absence of constant cleaning.
In the jewelry industry, alloys of various metals have long been used to increase the strength of products. To distinguish by the amount of additives added, a sample is applied to the jewelry.
An example of a sample on a silver ring.
A test (a stamp showing the content of impurities in silver) is placed on the inside of the product. Fineness - three numbers indicating the silver content in one kilogram of the alloy. For example, standard 925 means that 1 kg contains 75 grams of impurities and 925 grams of pure metal.
Samples of silver items:
| Try | Characteristics |
| 720 | Low standard silver, copper impurity. The most durable silver alloy used in industrial applications. Jewelry is not made from such silver, so it is inappropriate to undergo an assay inspection here. |
| 800, 830 | Production of silver cutlery. |
| 875 | “White gold” - contains no gold. Only silver and copper. |
| 916 | The alloy of this hallmark was used in the Soviet Union in the manufacture of silverware (not currently used in the jewelry industry). |
| 925 | Silver jewelry. |
| 960 | An alloy close to natural metal, soft and easily deformable (used to create relief compositions). |
| 999 | Pure silver, it is used to create collectible coins and bars (used in medicine and industry). |
Store tests for silver (chrompic)
You can purchase a test to check metal in pharmacies or special retail outlets.
To use the reagent correctly, read the instructions and carry out simple manipulations. Before starting the experiment, you should wipe the selected area with a file or run the product over a stone made of silicon slate (so as not to spoil the appearance of the product) and treat it with a reagent. After a certain period of time, you can assess the condition of the metal by the color of the developed trace:
A drop of a special tester turned red - real silver (right). Has not changed color - fake.
Sulfur ointment, nitric acid, whiteness
The principle of testing is the same as when testing with iodine. We apply a drop of the reagent to the product, wait and see if the product reacts to the drugs:
- A real silver item will show tarnish where the substances were applied.
- Nothing will happen on a fake.
Reaction to chemical exposure.
You can check silver at home without any marks on the metal. A regular magnet is used for this. The reaction to the magnet will indicate a fake:
Magnetic testing - detection of gross fakes.
- A product made of real silver does not attach to a magnet.
- Fake ferrous metals will stick to the magnet.
Do not check chain locks with a magnet. The locks have a mechanism that responds to a magnet.
The method is very popular, but not very accurate; non-ferrous metals do not always react to a magnet.
Thermal method
One of the properties of silver is thermal conductivity, due to which the metal quickly heats up to ambient temperature. If you hold the product in your hand, it will almost immediately heat up to body temperature. When immersed in cold or hot water, the metal will quickly return to the same temperature.
Boiling water is a good way to test the quality of a silver alloy. When removed from a hot product, it burns the skin and quickly cools to room temperature. Fake silver removed from boiling water will be lukewarm.
How to distinguish silver from cupronickel
- A silver product contains a hallmark, a mark with MNC symbols means cupronickel. A distinctive feature of cutlery made of cupronickel.
- Cupronickel can be recognized using ordinary water. You should pour it into a container and place the product there. After a short period of time, greenery will appear on things made from cupronickel, but silver will not change its shade.
- Cupronickel can be identified by its smell; it is characterized by the usual smell of copper.
To make the aroma stronger, you can rub the object of study.
- You can run a lapis pencil over the moistened surface of the object. A silver product will not show a reaction, but a dark spot will appear on cupronickel. If there is a suspicion that cupronickel is covered with a thin silver layer, you need to find the worn place and repeat the manipulations.
- Items made of cupronickel weigh much lighter than silver ones.
- Metal can be tested using iodine.
A drop of the substance on an item placed in sunlight will show a dark spot on the silver. The trace is extremely difficult to remove, so you need to find an inconspicuous place for the experiment.
- One of the surest options would be to take the product to a jewelry workshop, where they will determine exactly what it is made of.
How silver is determined for authenticity, how the sample is recognized in jewelry workshops.
How to use special chemical liquids and analyzer:
Large video test of various metal products (aluminum, copper, chrome, stainless steel, silver) for the reaction of sulfur ointment. How to test silver at home video:
To protect yourself from purchasing a fake, it is better to purchase silver jewelry in jewelry stores. Here, upon request, the seller is obliged to present certificates of product quality. The likelihood of purchasing low-quality silver will be minimal.
Source: https://kachestvoved.ru/kak-proverit-serebro.html
How to distinguish silver from other metals
Most often, a fake can be found on vacation, for example, in Egypt or Thailand. In such places, jewelry is often bought at markets. Of course, it's worth trying out the local flavor, but it can be too expensive if you are gullible.
The easiest way to determine if silver is real is to heat the item, for example, by rubbing it on your hand, silver has a high thermal conductivity and will heat up much faster than any other metal.
There are other ways to distinguish silver from other metals and cupronickel, using a magnet, needle or chalk.
Try
Also, one of the simplest ways to check the authenticity of metal, which can be used right in the store, is to check the sample. If a fake has one, it will be erased or unclear. The “MNC” symbol, which stands for magnesium, nickel, zinc - the composition of the cupronickel alloy, can also serve as a difference between silver and cupronickel.
Products from different countries may have different markings, but not a single manufacturing country has a standard with simply the inscription “925”; there are always other signs - images or inscriptions; it is with fakes that the standard is most often found only in the form of a number.
This will help those who are wondering how to distinguish cupronickel from silver, but did not have any available means, such as chalk, with them.
Source: https://crast.ru/instrumenty/kak-otlichit-melhior-ot-serebra
How to identify cupronickel at home - Metals, equipment, instructions
When choosing jewelry in a jewelry store, the eye certainly falls on silver. This metal is no worse than gold or platinum, and many girls like it much better, but its price is much more reasonable. But this precious metal is counterfeited very often, and in order not to fall for scammers, you must be able to distinguish the original from the fake.
How to distinguish cupronickel from silver | Do it yourself
How to distinguish cupronickel from silver ? This question is quite relevant. Often, having discovered an old thing, you wonder whether to throw it away or leave it, whether it has any value or easily takes up space. cupronickel externally , but if you follow a few tips, this task will be greatly simplified.
Instructions
1. Look at the sample. If it is cupronickel , then you will see the abbreviation MNC (an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc). Silver should have an ordinary standard, like any precious metal, consisting of numbers (say, 925).
2. Keep the product in water. Nothing will happen to silver, but the surface of cupronickel will oxidize green.
3. Rub the surface of the product with a lapis pencil. If the surface remains unchanged, then rest assured that it is silver. A dark spot will appear on the surface of cupronickel
4. Try to estimate the weight of the product. Products made from cupronickel will seem very light compared to products made from silver .
5. Pay attention to the price. If you are offered a silver item at a low price when purchasing, there is reason to think twice. Most likely, this is cupronickel .
6. Turn to your own sense of smell for help. Smell the item. Cupronickel, as usual, has the smell of copper. In order to better sense the smell, you can rub the product. “Ring” and listen to the sound that it makes.
7. Contact the experts: jewelers, metal restorers. Due to their skill, they will probably be able to determine what the thing is made of: whether it is silver or just a counterfeit of silver.
8. Use iodine. The silver on the luminary, in the place where iodine was applied, will darken. This method has a disadvantage. You will have to clean the stain that appears.
9. Clean the surface where you will conduct the experiment and apply chromium. The higher the silver , the more saturated the scarlet color will be.
10. Well, remember that cupronickel was often used to make dishes. And if there is no hallmark on the product, then most likely it is a nickel silver item, possibly plated with silver.
11. It is very difficult and often unthinkable to distinguish cupronickel from silver If you want to be 100% sure, better contact the specialists. Rely on your intuition: smell, listen, weigh, look.
Tip 2: How to distinguish cupronickel
Cupronickel is an alloy of copper and nickel, which has excellent mechanical strength. Outwardly, cupronickel is similar to silver, and therefore quite often products made from this alloy can be distinguished from silver.
You will need
- – water;
- - cotton pad;
- – lapis pencil;
- - iodine.
Tip 3: How to distinguish silver from fake
Silver products, unlike gold ones, are less likely to be counterfeited. The reason is the price of the metal; counterfeiting an expensive material is much more profitable than an inexpensive one. But cases often occur when a person acquires silver , but it fades, and all attempts to restore the original radiance end in failure. To insure yourself against buying a fake , use simple methods to recognize it.
How to distinguish silver from cupronickel - Mom's advisor
When choosing jewelry in a jewelry store, the eye certainly falls on silver. This metal is no worse than gold or platinum, and many girls like it much better, but its price is much more reasonable. But this precious metal is counterfeited very often, and in order not to fall for scammers, you must be able to distinguish the original from the fake.
How to identify cupronickel at home. How to distinguish cupronickel from silver
Cupronickel is an alloy of copper and nickel, sometimes with the addition of iron and manganese. There are alloys with the addition of zinc and silver.
Externally, this unusual metal is similar to silver, but it comes in different shades, depending on the composition of the alloy. If the composition contains some silver, then new products made from cupronickel can hardly be distinguished from pure silver.
Cupronickel is a very ancient metal that was known back in the 3rd century BC. In those distant times, the alloy of copper and nickel was called “white copper”. According to historical evidence, the metal got its name in honor of the sorcerer Melchior, who came to worship the newborn Jesus.
Fans of cupronickel admit that they feel especially comfortable in these jewelry. They seem to warm you up, emitting some special, radiant energy.
The magical properties of cupronickel
Melchior is patronized by the planet of love Venus and Saturn. As a result of such a union, the metal is characterized by inexhaustible and balanced energy, which is why it is often used when performing magical rituals.
Cupronickel is considered the metal of wisdom, which imparts this quality to its owners. Nickel silver jewelry is most suitable for Taurus, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces.
Metal has a powerful effect on a person - it increases the concentration of thoughts, opens up new areas of activity. The strong energy of the alloy is provided by its composition. Metal adds a sense of balance and stability.
Nickel silver jewelry is recommended for people with a soft character, melancholy and contradictory natures. This will help them become more decisive, thorough, allow them to keep themselves within strict limits, and work more productively and orderly.
But cupronickel gives such qualities as insight, understanding and patience to people who are overly tough in character.
Cupronickel is widely distributed throughout the world. In many countries it is called “German silver”, since at one time it was the Germans who produced it in large quantities. Cupronickel is most often used to make cutlery and jewelry. Most modern silver-colored coins are made from cupronickel.
This is an excellent replacement for silver - the cost of the alloy is lower, the strength characteristics are higher.
The mechanical strength of cupronickel is several times higher than that of silver, which means that the jewelry is not deformed - such jewelry cannot be demolished over decades. Cupronickel has its own special charm.
Jewelry artists create real masterpieces from this energetically powerful and durable metal. A fantastic combination of color and texture are amethyst earrings made of cupronickel. A traditionally recognized classic is turquoise in nickel silver. All shades of agates look very gentle in a cupronickel frame.
Noble garnet, sunny citrine, transparent quartz, and radiant tourmaline look impressive in this design.
Cupronickel acts as an excellent natural regulator and has a positive effect on many stones: it improves, enhances and fully reveals their properties. Cupronickel activates stones with calm energy. It calms overly aggressive stones and harmonizes their harsh nature. Cupronickel alloy is a very useful filter for natural stones.
Cupronickel silver earrings and rings in ethnic style look incredibly interesting. With a silver or bronze tint, nickel silver jewelry closely resembles silver or bronze with a patina. They look almost like ancient artifacts that archaeologists find during excavations. A noble and very unusual shade.
A particularly valuable property of cupronickel is its very high anti-corrosion properties. The metal does not rust both in air and in water, including sea water. Corrosion resistance is provided by nickel and iron additives found in the alloy.
This is a very important quality of the alloy, thanks to which your earrings or rings will retain their original appearance for many years.
The silver-plated surface of cupronickel has not only excellent aesthetic characteristics, but also unique antiseptic properties. It is not for nothing that silverware has always been present in the homes of wealthy people from time immemorial. Silver ions effectively take care of your health, strengthen your immune system and protect against infections.
To all the positive qualities of nickel silver are added the excellent shine and healing properties of silver. Thanks to the high plasticity of cupronickel, jewelers are provided with almost unlimited possibilities for creating unique jewelry with sophisticated patterns and ornaments.
Openwork earrings, ornamental rings - such products leave no one indifferent.
In addition to the traditional cupronickel silver and dark gray shades, gilded cupronickel can often be found in jewelry.
Moreover, gilding is applied both using sputtering technology and the cladding method - applying a layer by thermomechanical method with a thickness of at least 1 micron. Plating is more resistant to abrasion than spraying.
With gold plating, the cupronickel silver product retains its golden hue for a very long time, even with daily intensive wear. In addition, such products are non-allergenic and absolutely safe.
Nickel silver jewelry is very easy to clean. You can do this yourself at home. Professionals use special products to clean nickel silver products: all kinds of solutions, pastes, polishes, etc. They can be purchased at jewelry stores.
Cupronickel jewelry is cleaned in a mild soapy solution with a soft cloth. Contaminants from cupronickel can also be removed using a cotton swab dipped in vodka, alcohol or an aqueous solution of ammonia. After any type of cleaning, it is necessary to rinse and dry the jewelry well.
How to distinguish cupronickel from silver ? This question is quite relevant. Often, having discovered an old thing, you wonder whether to throw it away or leave it, whether it has any value or easily takes up space. cupronickel externally , but if you follow a few tips, this task will be greatly simplified.
Cupronickel alloys
Cupronickel alloys have different percentage compositions.
The most common cupronickel alloy contains from 5 to 30 percent nickel, with the remaining percentages being iron (0.8 percent) and manganese (0.1 percent). There are other alloys that are very similar in their chemical composition to cupronickel, but have different names:
- Cupronickel, similar to cupronickel, contains only copper and nickel in equal proportions;
- Monel, contains up to 67 percent nickel;
- nickel silver, contains additional zinc;
- Constantan, very close in chemical composition to cupronickel, contains 55 percent copper and 45 percent nickel.
All cupronickel alloys are ductile, easy to machine, and excellent forging, both hot and cold. Cupronickel alloys have high corrosion resistance to sea and fresh water, in dry gases and in the air atmosphere.
Properties of cupronickel
Cupronickel is very similar in appearance to silver. Sometimes it can be very difficult to distinguish cupronickel silver items from silver items. Cupronickel alloy is a well-known imitation of silver. Especially the cupronickel alloy perfectly imitates silver in jewelry. Some unscrupulous traders sometimes try to sell nickel silver items by passing them off as silver.
Cupronickel silver products are often coated with silver. Cupronickel silver-plated cutlery and crockery look like real silverware. Therefore, when buying silver jewelry and cutlery, we need to look very carefully at what we are buying.
Cupronickel has greater mechanical strength compared to silver. Cupronickel alloy has high corrosion resistance and good plastic properties. Due to its high plastic properties, cupronickel alloy is easy to process.
Cupronickel alloy produces elegant and sophisticated products.
How to distinguish cupronickel from silver
6 ways to distinguish cupronickel from silver:
- if the product bears the abbreviation MNC (an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc) instead of a sample, it is cupronickel;
- hold the product in water - nothing will happen to the silver, and cupronickel will become covered with a green coating;
- rub the surface of the product with a lapis pencil - the silver will not change, but a dark spot will appear on the cupronickel;
- you can weigh two similar products - nickel silver is lighter than silver;
- smell the object being examined - cupronickel smells like copper;
- use iodine - silver in the sun will darken in the place where iodine was used.
Cupronickel has a melting point of 1170 degrees, higher than that of silver (960 degrees). The melting point of various cupronickel alloys can vary depending on the component composition.
Cupronickel alloy has a structure that allows it to be mechanically processed both hot and cold. Cupronickel is well processed, alloyed with other metals, cut, forged, embossed, stamped, polished and soldered.
Source: https://artzoloto-rostov.ru/articles/melhior-i-serebro-pochemu-oni-tak-pohozhi-i-kak-ih-razlichit/
