Be your own jeweler, or how to check silver for authenticity - Women of the World
Noble metal
Silver is a noble and highly sought-after metal in our area, which we constantly encounter in everyday life. Despite the fact that it is counterfeited less often than gold jewelry, the question of how to check silver for authenticity is still relevant. Below you will learn about the most effective methods for identifying counterfeits.
What you need to know about silver products
The first thing you need to know about real silver is that it is always hallmarked. A unique mark is placed on a silver product, and this is not always 925 standard. A similar figure is most often found in the CIS.
925 is not the only quality metal sample
In each country, there can be a sample from 800 to 999. To find out more precisely about the product you have on hand (especially if we are talking about an old and valuable item), you can always find out what a particular stamp means.
Samples vary - it all depends on the country of manufacture of the product
A master of his craft will always be able to distinguish real silver by its appearance:
- like some other noble metals, silver perfectly reflects light, which is why you can notice a strong shine on it;
- it has a peculiar silvery-white tint;
- If you don’t take care of silver for a long time and don’t clean it, it seems to be covered with a dull dark film and acquires a pinkish tint.
Not only a jeweler can verify the quality of the metal
By eye and touch
Are you unsure of the true value of your items or silverware? Then you should definitely check out the methods below to help you learn how to check the authenticity of silver at home. Despite their simplicity, they are very effective.
You can check the coin yourself
If you are careful, it is not particularly difficult to determine the authenticity of silver. Here are some simple options:
| Hue | It is quite easy to distinguish worn ordinary cupronickel dishes from silver ones. Under the slightly whitish top layer, metal of a different color begins to appear. For example, chrome will have a slight blue tint, nickel alloy will have a barely noticeable yellow tint. Silver will not lose its color, remaining white both outside and inside. |
| Temperature | You can determine the authenticity of an accessory with your own hands, just by touch. Since silver, like gold, is an excellent conductor of heat, it heats up very quickly and almost immediately takes on the temperature of your body. This method can hardly be called accurate, but people who are familiar with noble metals definitely know how to use it. |
| Weight | It is easy to distinguish silver from aluminum - just rely on their weight. The first material is much denser and, accordingly, heavier than ordinary aluminum. A silver product will be immediately felt in your hand. |
| Raid | If the product is made of zinc, it will definitely leave a subtle residue on your hand (if you hold it for a long time). This, of course, does not happen with silver. |
A silver spoon will quickly heat up in your hand.
Zinc products will leave a subtle mark on the skin.
Other verification methods
If you don't trust your tactile sensations, you can use more detailed methods. How to identify real silver?
Option 1. Magnetic experiment
You can determine the value of the metal that is in front of you using a magnet. This experiment is based on the fact that real silver is not magnetic.
A magnet will help determine the authenticity of the metal
So you will only need to bring the magnet to the item being tested - if it does not react to the item in any way, there is a high probability that it is true silver. However, keep in mind that if you can get a super-powerful magnet, even this metal will react a little to it.
Among other things, it is worth remembering that there are many non-magnetic materials similar to silver. So such a test will not give 100% probability and should be carried out in conjunction with other checks.
Option 2. Slip test
This option is best suited for checking ingots. And it also requires a magnet. You need:
The photo shows how you can check a whole ingot
Someone may notice some illogicality, because it was stated above that silver is non-magnetic. The thing is that in this case, the direct magnetic field of the magnet itself will create a braking effect, which will contribute to the deceleration.
Whole bars can also be checked with a magnet
Option 3. Ice check
Ordinary ice will help you check the authenticity of silver at home. Just don’t take it out of the freezer until the experiment is carried out.
Ice will help identify the real material
This option is best suited for bars and coins, but it does not work correctly enough for small accessories.
Option 4. Iodine-sulfur test
There are not many precious metals that are susceptible to other substances. For example, if you anoint true silver with iodine, a stain will remain on its surface.
Iodine is a very effective testing tool, the price of which is affordable for everyone
It is worth noting that this method should be used extremely carefully, as there is a risk of damaging jewelry that is dear to the heart. To carry it out, you should use a cotton swab dipped in a small amount of iodine, apply the product to an inconspicuous area and rinse it off immediately.
A tiny drop of iodine is enough for the experiment.
Sulfur-based ointment can also cause a similar reaction. You can buy it at the pharmacy. You need:
Iodine is one of the most authentic ways to check the authenticity of silver
Option 5. Chemical test
Another way to find out silver at home is to use a special chemical test. Don’t be afraid, you won’t have to “chemically” yourself - everything you need can be bought at the pharmacy. Be careful when using this method, otherwise you risk damaging the surface.
To check, you can use the chemical method
Instructions for using the chemistry set are as follows:
You don't have to be a chemist to test silver, you just need to follow the instructions
| Color | Characteristic |
| Red | If the shade is bright red, then this is pure silver; if the color is dark red, it is 925 standard. |
| Brown | A light shade indicates 800 proof. If the color is dark brown, you have brass. |
| Green | Color indicating 500 proof. |
| Yellow | If the sample turns yellow, you have tin or lead. |
| Blue | This shade indicates that the product is made of nickel. |
Some colors after the test indicate a fake
You can learn even more useful information about how to identify silver without going to specialists from the video in this article.
Source: https://zhenhinimira.ru/sam-sebe-yuvelir-ili-kak-proverit-serebro-na-podlinnost.html
Silver or not: how to determine it at home
Silver is one of the most commonly used metals for jewelry making. How to determine whether it is silver or not at home, when there is no specialist who can know for sure.
Silver items must be marked with a metal purity, but if it is missing, this does not mean that you have a fake in your hands.
To distinguish silver from a fake, you can contact a pawnshop, but the appraiser may make a mistake, then you will have to check the authenticity of the jewelry yourself.
Metal properties
How to determine silver quickly and inexpensively? First, use a magnet: if the product is attracted, then it is not silver, since this metal does not have the property of being magnetized. The largest number of fakes are created from alloys that are diamagnetic, so testing with a magnet is not reliable, but it is quite suitable as an option.
Black marks upon contact with certain substances are a sign of authenticity. You can use sulfur ointment, it is sold in many pharmacies. Apply a little of this ointment to the product and leave for several hours. After this time, carefully remove the ointment with a napkin. If the place where it was applied turns black, then it is silver. The blacker the area, the higher the precious metal content.
A drop of iodine will have the same effect on silver: in the place where the iodine was, the silver will definitely turn black. However, it is better to avoid this method, because iodine leaves stains on the metal that will be difficult to wipe off later. Chalk affects him. If you have problems removing black stains, use ammonia, which will help quickly restore the metal.
Silver is an excellent conductor of heat, so you can simply immerse the jewelry in hot water, it will very quickly acquire the temperature of the water and become hot. Even after being in your hand for a short time, it will immediately acquire the temperature of a human body.
When purchasing a piece of jewelry or a silver spoon, rub it a little with a needle. Most often, silver is replaced with brass. Upon contact with a regular sewing needle, the silver layer will be torn off and reddish spots will be visible. Surely sellers in jewelry stores will not allow you to conduct an inspection in this way. If they frantically begin to take the product from your hands at the sight of a needle, you can be sure that this is a fake.
In the store, pay attention to your hands after you have held the product. Pure silver will never leave dirty marks on your palms, but alloys that sellers pass off as precious metal will definitely stain your hands.
In addition, a high quality product cannot lose its brightness even after many years of use. To restore the product to its former shine, you should wipe it with a special cream for cleaning jewelry. Low-grade and fake silver will remain unchanged after this treatment, and high-quality jewelry will shine as on the day it was purchased.
Many metals have a specific smell, and silver is one of them. However, you should not trust solely the sense of smell: manufacturers of counterfeits have even learned to add flavorings so that the falsification is not detected. In addition, if you throw the decoration in the air, you will hear a special sound. A specific sound will be produced if you blow on a silver coin held between your fingers. You won't confuse this sound with anything else.
Silver test using gold chloride
Gold chloride solution
If you don't trust household methods, try finding a gold chloride solution. This chemical element is used by jewelers to verify the authenticity of most precious metals. Apply a drop of this solution to the product at home. If the silver in it is of high quality, then the chlorine gold should instantly acquire a thick, dark green color. Otherwise, you are holding a fake in your hands.
A metal detector can help determine the authenticity of silver by determining the composition of the metal found. If you pass the device over the product, the monitor will show that it is silver (the inscription “Silver” or “Silver” on the monitor).
Determination using nitric acid
The most common method of authentication is to apply nitric acid to the product. Nitric acid is available for purchase, is inexpensive and gives one hundred percent results. Pure silver should immediately turn black after reacting with an acid. Low quality silver and fakes will turn green.
Determining silver at home is not difficult, but it cannot give a 100% result. Therefore, we recommend that you seek help from jewelers who will provide you with this service. For verification you can pay from 300 to 1000 rubles. To protect yourself from buying a fake, buy jewelry in trusted stores.
Source: https://gdeserebro.ru/problemy-resheniya/kak-opredelit-domashnih-usloviyah.html
