How to test silver at home? All ways
Silver products have been in demand for centuries. It is not surprising that a lot of fakes appear on the market, because metal is quite expensive. In order not to fall for the bait of dishonest businessmen, you need to know how to check silver for authenticity using accessible methods.
Visual inspection
Of course, a 100% guarantee that this is real metal is provided by spectral analysis in the laboratory. But such a test is expensive. Moreover, they are not held in every city. Therefore, it is worth learning how to test silver at home.
First, look at the product. A sure sign that this is real metal is the stamp of the state assay office. On Soviet-era products there is an imprint of a hammer and sickle. On modern works of jewelers there is a seal in the form of a woman’s head in a kokoshnik. The print itself should be clear, rectangular in shape with rounded bottom and top sides.
Take a closer look at the metal sample. In Russia the following values are accepted: 800, 830, 875, 925, 960. Foreign products have the letter S (silver). If you find SP (silver plated) on the metal, it means that this is a silver-plated object. Antique items are stamped with the number 84. This standard was used in Russia until the 27th year of the last century. This imprint says that this is 875 silver.
If there is no mark on the item, inspect it carefully. Do not purchase products that have abrasions of a different color. Don't forget to check the quality of workmanship and processing of items. All links of the chain or bracelet must be solid and well sealed.
Take a closer look at the stones if they are present on the product. Minerals never stick to genuine jewelry. This technology is used only for cheap jewelry.
Sound, smell and taste
This method of how to test silver does not provide a 100% guarantee. After all, some businessmen have learned to create special fragrances with the smell of noble metal. In addition, to smell the aroma of silver, you need a good sense of smell.
Checking the product for “sound” is a little easier. When struck against another metal, silver produces a ringing sound similar to crystal. Therefore, throw a coin or ring onto the tray, and if the item “sings,” then this is a piece of jewelry and not a fake.
Silver is a rather soft metal, and it is often tested “to the teeth”. If you feel that the material is too strong and cannot be bitten, this is a fake made of nickel silver or steel.
Warm
From school chemistry lessons we remember that silver is a metal with high thermal conductivity. And if you take the ring or spoon in your hands, the products should quickly heat up from your hand. To speed up the check, immerse the product in hot water. It will become warm in a few seconds. Did the metal stay cool? This is a fake.
In addition, you can test a silver tray or coin like this: place a piece of ice on the item. If it melts unnaturally quickly, then this is a noble metal.
Chlorine
If you have purchased a product whose authenticity you doubt, check it at home. One of the most accessible and effective ways to test silver is to drip a bleaching agent, for example “Whiteness,” onto the object. After 5–10 minutes, the noble metal will turn black. But other materials are unlikely to show a similar reaction. To remove marks, wipe the item with ammonia.
Sulfuric ointment
This method of how to test silver at home is risky but effective. If you do not have sulfur ointment, you can purchase it at your nearest pharmacy. Moreover, this drug is sold without a prescription.
To test your silver jewelry, apply ointment to the area and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. If the metal is genuine, it will turn black upon contact with the drug. To restore it to its original purity and shine, boil the product in water with the addition of soda and pieces of foil. As a last resort, carefully clean the stain with a nail file.
Iodine
This method of testing silver should be used only in extreme cases. After all, traces of iodine are difficult to remove from noble metal. For the test, drop a little reagent onto the product. If after a while a dark spot forms at the contact site, then don’t worry, this is real metal. Moreover, the blacker the mark, the higher the silver standard.
If a white coating appears on the product due to contact with iodine, then this is 100% fake.
It will be difficult to remove traces of the reagent from the item. The product should be boiled in water and soda. If this does not help, then clean the stain with a nail file or sandpaper, and then polish the surface.
Chalk
This method of checking the authenticity of silver at home is no less effective than treating it with iodine or sulfur ointment. But chalk does not harm the metal. And after the test there are no traces left on the products.
To check, run a piece of rock over the metal. If the chalk has darkened due to contact with the product, then you don’t have to worry. In front of you is silver.
Magnet
Another effective method of checking silver for authenticity at home is to hold a magnet to the item. Noble metal will not react in any way to such a “neighborhood”. But if there is an admixture of iron in the product, then the magnet will definitely be attracted to it.
Sharp object
This method will help distinguish noble metal from silver-plated brass. For the test, take a sewing needle or knife and carefully scratch the product, preferably in an inconspicuous place. If the color of the material has not changed, then this is silver. A reddish stripe will appear on the surface of the fake item.
How to test silver with nitric acid
This verification method is effective. But getting nitric acid is not easy. If you managed to get this reagent, then carry out the test this way:
- Select an inconspicuous place on the object and lightly scratch it with a needle or knife.
- Place some acid on the scratch.
- Wait 5-10 seconds for the metal to react with the acid.
Pure high-quality silver will turn black upon contact with the reagent. If the spot is green, then you have silver-plated brass or cupronickel.
Checking the metal for density
For such a test you will need precise scales and a glass of clean water. How to check:
- Weigh the item and record the value.
- Place a glass of water on the scale and reset it to zero.
- Hang the item on a thread and carefully lower it into the water. Try not to let the product touch the bottom or walls of the glass. Record the result of the “water” weighing.
- Divide the first result by the second.
If the metal is genuine, then the resulting number is 10 or higher. This method of testing silver is not suitable for items with embedded minerals or voids.
Numismatic reference books
Counterfeiting coins is a profitable business, because the price for one rare copy reaches serious amounts. Therefore, numismatists should be careful. If you are purchasing a coin from a private collector, be sure to check the weight in a reference book before purchasing. Even a slight deviation should alert you. Most likely, they are selling you a coin made of a different material, and not silver.
Source: https://FB.ru/article/40690/kak-proverit-serebro
How to verify the authenticity of silver yourself?
Nowadays, silver products are very popular, for example, dishes, kitchen utensils, women's and men's accessories. Silver is rarely counterfeited, but sometimes you still need to make sure that you bought or are planning to buy the original. How to test silver at home? We will discuss current methods for determining the authenticity of silver products below.
Methods for detecting counterfeit
Are there options for determining technical silver? The pure state of silver is characterized by softness, which means the products are fragile. To give strength, technical silver is combined with copper. The purest grade of metal is considered to be the sterling variety, which contains exclusively 92.5% silver, and the rest is copper.
The alloys are much harder than technical silver, making them ideal for making coins, household components, and accessories. All products made from this metal must be marked, which indicates its sample. But if the corresponding mark is not found, this may indicate that some countries do not use markings to indicate silver or the products have not yet been certified.
How to determine the authenticity of silver by marking? To do this, we recommend purchasing a magnifying glass. The product must be marked with a digital code. International standards use two values - 925 and 900. Such numbers indicate what percentage of silver is present in the alloy, for example, 900 - 90% silver and 10% copper. This variety is considered a coin type due to the fairly high presence of copper.
But, unfortunately, today the presence of an international digital designation is not able to provide a full guarantee that what you have in front of you is an original product. Therefore, we suggest you figure out how to test silver at home, taking into account its physical properties.
Appearance diagnostics
Many professional jewelers and precious metal specialists are able to tell whether silver is real or not based on one external sign. The main factors are considered:
- Qualitative reaction to light rays. The metal shines beautifully. This means that it reflects light rays. Color is a combination of silver and white. If you do not clean its surface, a darkened film will form, dullness and a slightly pink tone will appear;
- silver items are not able to change color, they are white outside and inside;
- This type of precious metal is characterized by excellent thermal conductivity. Therefore, we advise you to hold the product in your palm for some time; after a few minutes it will become identical to the body temperature;
- how to determine silver at home by weight? Aluminum and silver products differ in weight; the first option is much lighter;
- zinc components leave a darkened plaque on the skin. How to test silver at home? Rub the ring or other accessory on your hand; if there is no trace, it is real silver;
- When dropped, genuine products produce a loud, ringing and vibrating sound.
Based on magnetic characteristics
If you are planning to purchase a product and are wondering how to check whether it is real or not, we recommend arming yourself with a magnet. Do you think silver is magnetic or not? To answer this question, you need to run a magnet over the product. Noble metals are not attracted.
If you need to check the ingot, you will need to place a smooth surface at an acute angle of 45 degrees. While using the original silver, you will notice the magnet sliding down smoothly.
Using an ice cube
Silver is considered the most thermally conductive metal. A qualitative reaction to ice can be used to determine the authenticity of coins and bars. Testing silver at home is based on the following:
- Ice must be removed from the freezer only before the test;
- place the cube on the item;
- Pay close attention to the behavior of the ice. Even if the metal product is at room temperature, frozen water will melt. It will appear as if the ice was placed on a hot surface.
How to test silver at home using chalk?
This method belongs to the category of the most accessible and easiest. To recognize genuine products, you will need:
- Rub, for example, a silver coin with chalk;
- if it turns black, you have the original noble metal in front of you.
Let's use a lapis pencil
Determining the quality of silver at home is possible using a lapis pencil. To carry out the check you must:
- Wet the surface of the product;
- draw a pencil over the prepared metal;
- At the point of contact, the genuine alloy should darken. If this does not happen, this is not an original product.
Testing silver with iodine
Not every substance can attack precious metals, but iodine has these properties. Testing silver with iodine is simple - apply a little of the drug to kitchen utensils or accessories. When a stain forms, we can say that a qualitative reaction to the real material has occurred. The higher the ratio of noble metal in the alloy, the darker the stain will become.
This option must be used extremely carefully, because there is a huge risk of harming such a beautiful object. To conduct the experiment, we recommend choosing an inconspicuous area and applying a small drop of iodine using cotton swabs. Long-term contact will require labor-intensive cleaning, which will not always bring a positive result.
How to determine whether it is silver or not if you only have sulfur ointment on hand?
You can find out whether this medicine is real silver or not in several steps:
- Rub the metal with fine-grit sandpaper;
- place a small dose of sulfur ointment on the surface;
- leave to act for fifteen minutes;
- After the specified time has passed, conduct a test for silver: the presence of a dark surface at the site of use of the drug will confirm the naturalness of the metal.
This option for checking authenticity at home is very risky, but despite this, it is extremely effective. It is possible to remove black stains from sulfur by boiling the product in water with baking soda and aluminum foil.
How to check whether silver is silver or not by hydrostatic weighing?
This method is based on the well-known law of Archimedes. To see from your own experience how to test silver at home, you will need an accurate measuring device (scales). The principle of the experiment is as follows:
- Calculate the mass of a metal object in its normal state;
- put it in water - determine the weight in the liquid;
- divide the first value obtained by the difference between the two masses. Such calculations make it possible to find out the density of silver;
- a silver spoon or other product must have a density within 10.5. A downward deviation is guaranteed to indicate that this is not technical silver and a low-quality alloy (with purity 950, 900).
There are other methods for testing silver at home, for example, using chemical experiments. Not many people are prepared or have the necessary knowledge to perform this test.
In this article, we looked at the most popular options for checking silver for authenticity. This information will be useful to all people, regardless of their preferences in precious metals. After all, every person dreams of purchasing an original product that can delight with its impeccable appearance over a long period.
Source: https://hozhelp.ru/poleznye-sovety/kak-ubeditsya-v-podlinnosti-serebra-samostoyatelno.html
How to check silver at home for authenticity
Silver is a noble white metal, which is very widely used both for the manufacture of jewelry and for minting coins, the production of cutlery, household items, and in other areas of human activity.
The popularity of this precious metal is explained by its relatively low cost, good technological characteristics, and sufficient corrosion resistance, which allows it to maintain its pristine beauty for a long time. Also, its antibacterial and healing properties have long been known.
- This is important: Why does a silver chain turn black?
Despite the low cost of silver, counterfeits are very common. Let's consider the main types of imitations that are most often found in everyday life and methods for identifying them.
Copper alloys
By adding nickel and zinc to copper, it produces a white alloy very similar in color to silver. The most popular varieties are cupronickel and nickel silver (new silver). The main distinguishing feature during inspection is the mark with the letters MNC on such products.
Aluminum
Quite often there are attempts to sell counterfeits made from cheap aluminum, but it is much (about four times) lighter. Authenticity, in this case, is easy to determine - the silver is noticeably heavier.
Steel
In appearance and color it is very similar to noble silver, but a little grayer; an important distinguishing feature is the reaction of steel to a magnet.
Silvering
A very common type of fake is jewelry coated with silver, nickel or other visually similar materials. Such imitations, if they are used, have a distinctive feature - the presence of abrasions of a different color. You can try to scratch the new one in an inconspicuous place using a sharp tool.
Chlorine test
For this analysis, you will need chlorine-containing detergents, the most famous and affordable is “Whiteness”. Applying a drop of the solution to silver, a black spot will appear after 5 - 10 minutes; other materials will not react to such a “reagent”. The method is very simple and reliable.
Testing with sulfur ointment
This method of determining authenticity at home is similar to the previous one, quite simple and effective. To use it, you must first clean the surface using, for example, the smallest nail file. When applying sulfur ointment to silver, a dark-colored stain will appear; most fakes will not react in any way. The blackening must be carefully removed using the same nail file.
Density
Archimedes figured out how to determine the density of a material precisely when he was given the task of testing the quality of a gold crown. This method is still relevant today, the only drawback is that you need to have more or less accurate scales. Authentication using this method looks like this:
- We weigh the sample, then put a bowl of water on the scale and reset it to zero;
- The product attached to the thread is completely immersed in water; it is important that it does not touch the walls or bottom;
- We divide the first value by the result of weighing in water; the resulting figure should not be less than 10 g / cm³.
Cannot be used for silver with stones hidden by voids.
A visual demonstration is presented in the video.
Magnetic authentication
Silver is not attracted by a magnet, like aluminum or copper alloys, however, the method is quite suitable for determining a rough counterfeit of steel, it can be called primary, after which all other methods must be used.
Hardness
As you know, silver is very soft, high-quality alloys 925, 960 with a purity content of 92.5% and 96%, respectively, can be tested “to the tooth.” Leaving a mark on harder nickel silver with such a “tool” will be a difficult task, not to mention on steel.
Based on all of the above, the conclusion is simple - when checking the authenticity of silver at home, you need to pay special attention to the high probability of the presence of a cheaper material coating. This type of counterfeit is the most common and most difficult to detect.
What you need to know: Determining the authenticity of gold at home
Source: https://999proba.com/opredelenie-podlinnosti-serebra/
How to identify silver or aluminum
If you suddenly become the proud owner of family silver, bought a cute trinket at a flea market, or received silver jewelry as a gift, it wouldn't hurt to have the silver checked for authenticity. Fake silver is unlikely to make anyone happy, because, in addition to being an annoyance, low-quality metal can cause allergies. In this material we will tell you how to distinguish a silver coin from a fake, check the authenticity of your grandmother's earrings and examine family cutlery.
How to distinguish silver from fake
Contrary to popular belief, price is not always an indicator of quality. Real silver is not as expensive as many people think. So, a simple ring can be bought for only 1000 rubles.
First, you need to know how silver looks and behaves in its pure form. If your silver ring suddenly becomes very bent, do not rush to consider it a fake - in its pure form it is a very soft metal. Finding a hallmark will help you find out whether you were given a silver ring, as well as determine whether or not you got a silver spoon from your grandmother.
Silver products sold on the world market must be marked with a hallmark - three numbers. According to international standards, silver must be marked with the numbers 925, 900 or 800. 925 hallmark indicates that the product contains 92.5% silver, and 900 and 800 hallmarks indicate that 90% or 80% precious metal.
If there is no mark on your product, do not rush to get upset - it is quite possible that your jewelry was simply not created for sale. What other ways can you recognize silver at home? Let's figure it out.
It is very easy to test silver at home using iodine. The main thing here is to be careful, since too much iodine can ruin the item.
So, how to distinguish fake from real silver using iodine? Dip a cotton swab in iodine, run it over the metal and quickly wash off the applied composition. If the jewelry is really made of silver, iodine will leave a dull gray stain on it - the darker it is, the higher the standard. Don't be afraid to ruin the item - if you wash off the composition quickly enough, the stain will soon disappear. If this is a fake, after checking it will have a white limescale residue on it.
Vinegar
While at home, you can test your silver with vinegar. The instructions for such a check are quite simple:
- Lightly scratch the product with a needle and drop vinegar onto the scratch;
- If the scratch is covered with greenish foam, this is a fake;
- If there is no foam, and the scratch is covered with a white substance, it is real silver.
lapis pencil
Testing silver with a lapis pencil is one of the most reliable methods of checking at home. You can buy it at any pharmacy. To check, put on gloves and run a pencil over the jewelry. If after this a black stripe appears, the silver is fake.
Thermal conductivity
Silver has excellent thermal conductivity, so heating the jewelry can also serve as a verification of authenticity.
Dip the item in warm water or squeeze it between your palms to warm it up. After a few minutes, try placing an ice cube on it. If the ice begins to melt from the heat of the metal, it means that this is real silver.
Ordinary chalk will also help you recognize silver at home. Having almost the same properties as iodine, chalk can serve as an excellent assistant in safely testing silver for authenticity. Wipe the surface of the item being tested with chalk - if a black mark appears on it, it means the item is real.
How to distinguish silver from other metals
Unlike gold, whose yellowish sheen is difficult to confuse with anything else, silver resembles many base metals. Therefore, it is important to know how to visually distinguish white gold from silver, platinum or tin, so as not to mistakenly purchase a penny trinket.
Silver jewelry has a grayish tint
The first thing you need to pay attention to if you need to distinguish silver from platinum is the size of the jewelry. Platinum is too expensive a metal to make massive rings or earrings from. Another sign is color. Silver jewelry has a grayish tint, while platinum jewelry is much lighter and has a white cast.
White gold is also easy to distinguish from silver. Silver, as mentioned above, has a gray tint, while white gold turns more yellow. In addition, silver items will be much less shiny than white gold items.
Tin is not very different from silver, so identifying the metal by eye in this case will not be easy. However, you can use the above method with iodine - if after applying the solution the metal turns black, then you have tin.
You can distinguish silver from palladium using nitric acid - it can be bought at a pharmacy or a specialized online store. Be careful and be sure to use gloves when working with acid! If you drop the substance onto silver jewelry, it will leave a dark mark. And if it's palladium, it will turn red.
Source: https://nevkucnogo.net/kak-opredelit-serebro-ili-aljuminij.html
Where to check silver for authenticity. How to test silver for authenticity at home using iodine, sulfur ointment, bread crumb, magnet, reagents, chalk, heat, by ear, lapis pencil, silver test from a pharmacy, acid? How to determine k
Silver is a beautiful noble metal from which jewelry, coins, home decoration and dishes are made. And although silver items are counterfeited less often than gold items, sometimes it becomes necessary to verify the authenticity of the metal. How to test silver at home, read our article.
Pure silver has a silvery-white metallic hue and is highly reflective. However, if it is not cleaned for a long time, it darkens and becomes dull.
Sample and stamp
In order to check the authenticity of silver, first of all inspect the product for the presence of hallmarks and hallmarks.
The mark may look arbitrary, and sometimes be completely absent from the product. As for fineness, silver items sold on the international market must have a marked hallmark indicating the fineness of the metal. The most common numbers are 800, 830, 875, 925, 960; pure silver – 999 standard.
Do not be upset if you cannot find marks on the product - this does not mean that this is a different metal. Such a product may simply not be certified or produced in a country where the mark is not required.
The numbers on the marking indicate the percentage of silver in the alloy. For example, the 925 stamp indicates that the alloy contains 92.5% silver, and the 900 stamp indicates 90% silver content
There are other ways to test your silver. Let's take a closer look at them.
Voice test
This test is suitable for checking coins. When tapped, silver makes a ringing sound (especially if it is tapped with another metal). If you already have a proven silver coin, its ringing can be taken as a standard.
Gently tap the silver item (you can use another coin for this): if when you tap you hear a beautiful, open ringing, then this is real silver. If the sound is dull, it means there is little or no silver in the alloy.
A silver service can become a family heirloom and be inherited from generation to generation
Iodine and chalk
You can test silver with iodine.
In order not to spoil the product, carefully apply a small drop of iodine to the inner surface of the metal - a dark stain will remain on real silver. You can remove traces of iodine after testing in the following way: place the product in a bowl with grated potatoes or sprinkle with starch - under the influence of starch, traces of iodine will change their color and acquire an imperceptible bluish tint, merging with the color of silver.
Chalk not only checks, but also cleans silver. Crushed chalk is mixed with ammonia and the silver items are wiped with a soft cloth.
A similar test can be carried out using ordinary chalk. Rub the silver with a piece of chalk: a dark spot will form on the metal at the point of contact. If the blackness does not appear, you have a fake silver.
You can clean your jewelry using available products. Read how to do this in our article “How to clean silver at home.”
Bleach
You can test silver using regular bleach. When it reacts with a strong oxidizing agent, silver darkens. Using a toothpick, carefully apply a small drop of bleach to the inside of the item you are testing. There will be a dark stain on the silver.
Keep in mind that silver plated items will also pass the test.
Nitric acid
You can test silver using nitric acid - this test is considered one of the most accurate.
Wear gloves and a protective mask, select an inconspicuous area on the product, lightly scratch it to remove any protective coating, and apply a drop of nitric acid.
If you have a low-quality silver alloy - cupronickel or silver-plated brass - a greenish stain will remain on the product. This is due to the fact that the product contains high levels of copper.
When exposed to nitric acid, silver will turn dark, while sterling silver (925) will turn creamy.
Today you can purchase a professional silver test in jewelry stores and conduct a chemical experiment at home.
Physical impact
You can check the authenticity of silver using physical impact.
Rub the product to be tested in your hands for 1-2 minutes. If you have high-quality silver in front of you, then your hands will remain clean after rubbing; if the product contains zinc impurities, barely noticeable dark spots will remain on your fingers.
Try testing your silver with a needle. If you suspect that you have a silver-plated product, lightly scratch an inconspicuous (internal) area with a needle: a thin layer of silver will easily be removed from a fake, but nothing will happen to the genuine metal.
All the methods described above will help determine the authenticity of a silver product with a certain degree of probability. To get a 100% guarantee, have your item examined by professionals: they know exactly how to test silver.
Source: https://paris4u.ru/gde-proverit-serebro-na-podlinnost-kak-proverit-serebro-na/
How to identify silverware at home. Determining the authenticity of silver at home using sulfur ointment
It is easy for an uninformed buyer to sell a fake, for example, made of cupronickel or aluminum, instead of silver jewelry. In order not to fall for the bait of unscrupulous sellers, it is important to know how to verify the authenticity of a precious metal. It's easy to do. Using different methods, you can determine whether an item is made of a noble metal or simply plated with silver. In the first case, the jewelry is made of silver, and in the second, a thin layer of it is applied to a certain alloy.
Standard Silver Tests
When going shopping, it is important to remember how to properly test your silver. The main criteria to pay attention to when choosing:
- The sample shows the percentage of silver contained. This is a required element. 999 sterling silver is very soft, so products are not produced from it. The maximum value that can be found on sale is 925. This mark means that the jewelry is made from an ingot consisting of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.
- High thermal conductivity. This property characterizes rapid heating and heat transfer. So, if you hold silver objects in warm hands or place them in a container of hot water, they heat up in a matter of seconds.
- Appearance. Noble metal has a characteristic silver-white hue. Thanks to their reflective properties, these items shine in the sun. If rings, chains, and earrings are not cleaned in a timely manner, they become dull and take on a pinkish tint.
- Weight. Noble metal has a high density. You can distinguish a fake from an original by holding the product in your hand: it should be weighty.
- Sound. If you take a silver coin and knock it on the product being tested, a characteristic ringing sound should be heard. This speaks volumes about the quality of the metal.
Ways to test silver at home
Having looked at jewelry, cutlery, vases and other items made of precious metal, it is easy to verify their authenticity. This can be done directly at the point of sale or at home. There are simple and simple ways to do this. Knowing how to test silver will prevent you from bringing home a cheap trinket instead of an expensive item.
Testing with iodine helps determine the authenticity of the metal, the main thing is not to spoil the thing. To carry out the test, carefully apply iodine to the product with a cotton swab and wait a little. Then evaluate the result: if a dark spot appears, you have a precious metal, a white coating is a fake. Be prepared for the fact that traces of iodine are difficult to wash off from the surface of the jewelry. Perhaps the dark spot will remain forever.
Vinegar
Silver is a low-active metal, so it does not react with weak household chemicals. So, if you place a piece of jewelry or cutlery in a container with 9% acetic acid, then no effect will occur without heating it. If the item is made of a different alloy, a violent reaction is possible, so be careful not to spoil, for example, a family value.
Khrompik
Using potassium dichromate or Chrompik, you can determine the silver sample. This reagent has a bright orange color that changes when it interacts with metal.
To determine authenticity, you need to clean the product and add a few drops of Chrompik. After 1–2 seconds, you need to remove it with filter paper or a napkin. The quality of the sample can be judged by the resulting color.
A light brown shade means a sample of up to 750, red - over 750. A bright red intense color indicates a sample of 916.
Checking at home can be done using such a means as ordinary chalk. With this method it is impossible to damage the item being tested. To do this, you need to rub the product with limestone and evaluate the result. Dark stripes that appear on a piece of limestone will indicate that you are dealing with a precious metal.
needle
You can do the test using a thin needle. To do this, you need to lightly scratch the decoration. There will be no trace of the needle left on the precious metal, and scratches will form on the product coated with a thin layer of silver, since as a result the layer of precious metal is removed. This method is inappropriate in a store, but can be easily done at home.
Sulfur ointment
Using a pharmaceutical preparation such as sulfur ointment, you can check the authenticity of silver. For this purpose it is necessary:
- lightly rub the item with fine-grained sandpaper;
- apply the ointment to an inconspicuous area;
- wait 10–15 minutes;
- inspect the product.
The dark spot that appears is a qualitative reaction. Nickel, stainless steel or other alloys do not react in any way to this drug. This method of checking must be handled with extreme caution so as not to damage the jewelry that is dear to your heart. Be prepared for the resulting stain to remain forever. This method is similar to testing with iodine.
Knowing that real silver is not magnetic, you can verify its authenticity experimentally. To do this, you need to bring the product being tested to a magnet. If there is no reaction, it means you have a genuine alloy in your hands. It is only important to consider a few points:
- If there is a heavy-duty magnet, a slight reaction may occur.
- There are also similar alloys that are also not magnetic, so this method cannot be called completely reliable.
Bleach and nitric acid
Another reagent helps determine silver at home - silver nitrate. This chemical element should be applied to a previously cleaned surface. Products of high standard (750, 800, 875) give the reagent a light gray color.
White color means fake or low sterling silver. Similar actions can be done by replacing the substance with regular bleach. Carry out all actions with gloves. If the selected item darkens, then it consists of a noble metal.
It’s not without reason that they say that not everything shiny is a jewel, so you should know how to identify silver at home. Our age of technological progress, the emergence of ever new chemical developments, makes it possible to fake almost everything.
Yes, this is not the most expensive of noble representatives. However, increasing the mass of objects, it is often diluted with various impurities. Even a jewelry store is not a guarantee of the authenticity of jewelry.
So, how can you recognize the real thing at home or not?
We learn to determine the authenticity of silver by its characteristic properties
First of all, when you take a silver item, carefully examine it. A ring, chain, bracelet or spoon must be stamped or hallmarked. These are three small numbers outlined by a rectangle. Unfortunately, neither the presence of such a mark nor the purchase of jewelry in a specialized store is a guarantee that the bracelet or set is genuine.
Therefore, you need to have some knowledge that will protect you from purchasing a low-quality product. Take the item in your hands. Silver is a good conductor, so it instantly warms up from the warmth of the palms. Place the item in a glass of boiling water. After a few seconds, try to carefully remove it. Be careful, it's hot. A real precious metal will reach the same temperature in an instant.
If your hands remain clean upon contact with a silver object, it means the metal is of high quality. A low-quality alloy diluted with zinc will result in blackened palms. Often, under the guise of pure jewelry, dishonest sellers try to sell items made of copper or brass that have a silver-plated surface.
An ordinary needle will help bring deceitful traders to clean water. Place the needle in an inconspicuous area of the jewelry. The top layer of coating will be erased, exposing the insides. If the color under spraying remains the same, then everything is fine.
And if a red or yellow tint appears, you have an alloy of brass or copper with a silver-plated surface.
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How to test silver at home - the authenticity of real silver: vinegar, iodine, magnet
A real silver product is easy to distinguish from a fake, and this article will help us understand all the nuances. Let's get acquainted with the most effective ways to determine the authenticity of silver.
Stamp and hallmark
Each product with a high content of precious metal has 2 hallmarks - the manufacturer’s name and an assay mark. Their presence indicates that the product is sold legally in the country.
The hallmark is placed on:
- In order for the soft noble metal to gain strength, impurities of other metals are added to the alloy, usually copper, tin, nickel fasteners on earrings, bracelets, chains;
- the inner side of the ring rim;
- the reverse side of the ear of pendants and pendants.
The state mark consists of several elements:
- Right profile of a lady in a kokoshnik;
- Letter code of the State Assay Supervision Inspectorate in the lower left corner;
- Try;
- Standard frame.
Pay attention to the shape of the frame; it is an oval with cut off sides. Let’s assume that the image is surrounded by a circle and the sample is printed next to it in a rectangular or oval frame with trimmed edges.
Foreign-made jewelry may have different marking methods adopted by the laws of the manufacturer's country. For example, the traditional English stamp is a walking lion, French products were stamped with the head of Minerva, a boar, and a crab.
In order for the soft noble metal to gain strength, impurities of other metals are added to the alloy, usually copper, tin, and nickel. Therefore, a sample must be placed on the finished product - a number reflecting the percentage of noble metal content.
The most common silver grades are 750, 800, 875, 916, 925, 960 and 999.
960 and 925 are most often used to create jewelry:
- 925 silver is called sterling ; it does not lose its original appearance for a long time and does not darken even with prolonged wear.
- The 800th standard is considered a coin alloy ; it is used in the production of coins and cutlery; it quickly loses its presentation.
The name tag is an abbreviation that allows you to find out the manufacturer, place, and year of manufacture. May contain letters and numbers. Antique items are decorated with the master's initials.
If there is no sample, this does not mean that you are faced with a fake. Perhaps this is 800 silver. Products made from it are allowed to be produced without an imprint. Some silver simulants are stamped MNC, which means “magnesium-nickel-zinc.” A false sample is applied unevenly; it is easy to recognize if you have a sample.
Physical properties
- Consider the quality of the coating.
- Sterling silver should be white , with a bright, polished luster.
- The blackened one is stylized as antique and does not shine so brightly.
- Over time, antique jewelry becomes covered with a black and gray coating. If the coating is red or brown, you have another alloy, for example, brass or cupronickel.
- Silver can be matte, but it should not have any tint. A reddish tint is a sign of a large amount of copper in the alloy.
- Throw a ring , earring or coin on the table.
- When falling, a ringing , melodic, clear sound should be heard.
- Silver spoons can be knocked together.
- Copper fakes knock dully , cheap alloys make a metallic sound, like small coins.
- Rub the item with your palm.
- Counterfeits containing zinc leave dark marks.
- The silver plating can be gently rubbed to reveal the color of the backing.
- Place the jewelry in a glass of water for several days. Genuine silver will remain pristine, but counterfeit silver will rust.
- Smell it. This method requires that you have a sample.
- Those who had silver dishes remember their special, specific smell.
- If there is a coating, scrape it off. Cupronickel, like other copper alloys, smells of copper.
- Taste it.
- Brass, cupronickel , and nickel silver without sputtering will have a metallic taste.
- Noble metals are tasteless.
- Weigh it. There are reference books for numismatists that contain information about ancient and modern coins. Weigh your sample, compare the resulting weight with the indicated one.
Antique jewelry becomes covered with a black-gray patina over time.
Checking with improvised means
If after examining the product there are still doubts, you can conduct several tests using available tools:
Iodine:
- Apply iodine with a cotton swab.
- Set aside for a moment.
- Evaluate the result. The darker the stain, the higher the grade of the product. If a white coating appears, this is a fake.
Be careful, traces of iodine are very difficult to wash off from the surface of jewelry. Most likely, the stain will remain forever.
Sulfuric ointment:
- Apply ointment.
- After 30 seconds, wipe off with a cloth or napkin. The application area should darken.
Sulfur ointment is one of the most proven and safe testing methods. It is used against skin inflammations, so it can be applied without gloves. Sold in any pharmacy.
Lapis pencil:
- Wet the tip of the pencil.
- Place a small drop.
- If the drop turns black, this is a fake. Lapis is composed of silver nitrate and does not react with either silver or gold.
Lapis was once widespread, but now it is not sold in all pharmacies. This is an outdated remedy for cauterizing warts and papillomas; if it gets on open skin, a black spot will remain for a long time.
Chalk:
- Take stationery chalk and rub the decoration with it.
- Set aside.
- Check the result in a few minutes. If the chalk turns gray, you have a real noble metal in front of you.
Bleach:
It is believed that if you pour a small drop of bleach and wait a few minutes, the item will react with the acid and darken. But a lot depends on the composition of the bleach. Silver is a low-reactive metal, so household chemicals may have no effect. The imitation can be irrevocably damaged, especially by chlorine.
Vinegar:
Silver is a low-reactive metal, so household chemicals may have no effect
According to the electrochemical activity series of metals, silver is a low-active metal, therefore it does not react with 9% vinegar. Most alloys will not react with such a weak acid without heating.
Copper is also a low-active metal, so vinegar will not harm products with a high copper content. It is even recommended to soak cupronickel cutlery in acid if plaque has formed.
Needle:
- Make a deep scratch with a needle.
- Take a close look to see if the color of the core differs from the coating.
- A yellow or red tint indicates that spraying has been applied.
Magnet:
- Take a strong magnet and pass it over the surface of the object.
- Silver has almost no magnetic properties, but a fake made of steel or nickel will be immediately attracted.
- It should be noted that metals with a high copper content are also non-magnetic.
Nitric acid:
This option is only suitable for those who are familiar with chemistry.
- Under the influence of nitric acid, a violent reaction occurs with the release of gas, silver dissolves, and an aqueous solution of silver nitrate and nitric oxide are formed.
- This experiment should not be carried out at home.
Tips and tricks
- The most reliable ways to determine whether your jewelry has jewelry value are tests with iodine, sulfur ointment, lapis pencil, needle, and chalk.
- Iodine is unsafe for the product , stains remain for a long time, they are almost impossible to wash.
- A lapis pencil is very convenient , the reaction occurs quickly, but you will have to specially order it, since it is not sold in all pharmacies.
- Using a needle you can find out whether the coating has been applied , but the scratch cannot be removed.
- Chalk does not spoil the product.
- The dark spots remaining after the sulfur ointment can be wiped with ammonia or placed in a soda solution. Another option is to boil it with a piece of regular aluminum foil.
- Not everyone can determine the taste, sound or weight of silver. In addition, this requires a large sample, such as a ring or coin.
- Testing with a magnet will not give the desired result if the main material of the alloy is copper. So, cupronickel and brass will not be attracted to a magnet.
- Bleach and vinegar were useless , nitric acid is not suitable for home use.
The most reliable chemical test is a professional sampler. The simplest kit for testing precious metals costs less than 1,000 rubles.
It can be purchased at jewelry shops, some pharmacies, and online stores.
Reacting with silver, the substance becomes blood-red and turns black or green on the fake. The reagents are convenient and penetrate through coatings of any thickness. Be careful, the sampler is very caustic and may irritate the skin.
5.00, (ratings: 1)
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Quick ways to check the authenticity of silver at home
Jewelry and other silver items are popular due to their beautiful appearance and low price, so they are often counterfeited. You can check the authenticity of silver by sample, as well as using chemical and physical tests, exposure to reagents such as iodine, vinegar, sulfur ointment, bleach, chalk. Metal is also distinguished by high thermal conductivity, ringing sound, and reflection of light.
If you are not an experienced collector or connoisseur of precious metals, then the risk of encountering a fake is quite high. For example, brass or metal alloys with copper, zinc, and nickel are sold under the guise of silver products. But knowing how to test silver at home or directly at the place of purchase, you can independently determine the quality of jewelry, coins and cutlery.
Metal indicators
Silver is painted in a specific gray color with a metallic tint. Pure metal is soft and malleable for processing, so copper is added to it for everyday use. To ensure that the material bends and breaks less, but maintains its quality, the optimal capacity of the silver fraction in 100 grams is selected at 92.5 (925 standard).
The higher the percentage of additives, the lower the sample
The metal is characterized by the following strong properties:
- reflects rays of light;
- conducts heat and current;
- makes a ringing sound;
- resistant to oxygen oxidation.
These characteristics, as well as its reaction with certain reagents, help distinguish silver from other metals.
Methods for determining silver
To accurately confirm the authenticity of a silver item, order a professional jewelry examination or contact a chemical laboratory. Such services operate with complex spectral, atomic absorption, titrimetric and other methods for determining the composition of products.
A pawnshop or jewelry store will help you recognize a piece of jewelry, and there are portable electronic detectors for metal analysis on sale. At home, use one, or better yet, several available tools and tips.
Presence of hallmark
Manufacturers of silver products put their imprint and mark on them indicating the sample. On precious jewelry and cutlery, hallmarks of 800, 830, 875 and 925 are found. Indicators of 960 and 999 are more often found on silver bars, since products with such hallmarks are too soft for household use. Below the level of 800, the imprint is not placed, since the metal is no longer precious (according to the standards established in Russia).
The mark indicates the amount of pure metal in 100 grams of alloy
Each mark must be even and clear, and specialized sales departments must issue a tag indicating the manufacturer, silver standard, size, and name of the product. Marks today are often faked; you should not rely on them alone.
Sound, smell, light
Throw the silver onto a hard surface (parquet floor, metal tray, wooden table) and listen. When struck, a ringing, vibrating sound should be produced. A dull, quiet fall is a sign of a different material.
When you place silver jewelry under the rays of the sun, you will see a bright reflection. You can identify silver by smell, but only if you have a real sample of the metal for comparison.
Chalk or marks on the skin
When purchasing precious metal, it is recommended to take a piece of chalk with you. Rub the product against it, look for dark marks on the rock. If stripes are present, the material is genuine.
The reaction of the skin will help determine the silver, for which the jewelry or coin should be rubbed against your hand for a minute. Silver metal will not leave a dark mark, unlike a fake made from another substance or alloy with the addition of zinc, copper, nickel, or another component.
The inner lining is not silver, but the top ball is covered with a real layer. In this case, there will be no traces left either.
Reaction to iodine
When interacting with iodine, the metal darkens, and a noticeable, even outline appears around the site of contact with the reagent. It is advisable to do such a test in an inconspicuous place, since the result of the reaction of silver to iodine is difficult to wash off.
Learn effective ways to remove iodine stains.
Reaction to sulfur ointment, bleach
Rapid darkening of metal is caused by a strong oxidizing agent contained in bleach.
Pharmacy sulfur ointment after 2 hours of interaction with silver will leave a darkening on it. A drop of sulfuric or nitric acid (applied to a small scratch) will cause a similar reaction, but it is not recommended to use such methods at home.
Reaction to vinegar and lapis pencil
High-quality silver does not change color when exposed to vinegar or pharmaceutical lapis pencil. A white coating or dark spots will appear on counterfeit material upon contact with these reagents.
Recommendation! Reactions with the possible appearance of dark spots and mechanical damage are recommended to be done in a small area that is not noticeable during use, since it is not always possible to get rid of traces.
Chemical test for silver determination
The silver test is carried out using a chemical kit that is sold in jewelry stores. Wearing protective gloves, proceed as follows:
- In an inconspicuous place, make a small but deep enough (to reach the substrate) scratch with a needle or metal file.
- If you do not want to damage the product, rub its side with a special touchstone (also from a jewelry store).
- Drop a chemical reagent from the bottle onto the scratched area or mark on the stone.
- Compare the resulting color with the results table.
Table 1. Color coding of metal after chemical test
Color after reagent | Metal |
Bright red | Highest standard silver |
Dark red | Sterling Silver |
Brown | 800 silver |
Green | Billon |
Blue | Nickel |
Yellow | Tin, lead |
Dark brown | Brass |
The material is determined already at the stage of mechanical damage to the top layer of the product. If a color different from the required metallic gray shade is detected under the silvered or regular coating, then the item is counterfeit.
How to distinguish silver from cupronickel
Cupronickel is an alloy of zinc, nickel and copper, which is sometimes indicated by the designation MNC on a silver spoon or coin.
The following methods will help you distinguish such decoration or cutlery:
- placing in water for 2–3 days (the surface will turn green or change to a different color);
- needle damage with a pinkish or green mark;
- the appearance of a copper smell after mechanical rubbing of the metal;
- darkening of the area treated with lapis pencil;
- exposure of the product to a solution of perchloric acid and water (1:2), followed by the appearance of a brown stain.
If you wear a chain, bracelet or ring made of cupronickel or an alloy with a high percentage of zinc, dark spots appear on the skin.
Details on how to clean cupronickel spoons, forks, and jewelry
How to distinguish silver and aluminum
An experienced user will distinguish silver from aluminum by the lack of metallic luster and hardness. The following tips are suitable for beginners:
- The answer to the question of whether silver is magnetic is negative, but aluminum will always be attracted to a magnet.
- By scratching or rubbing the top layer, you will see the dark brown mark characteristic of aluminum alloy.
- A real jewel is felt in the hand, having more weight, and also in seconds raises its temperature to the warmth of the palm.
Aluminum begins to lose its appearance after just a few days, darkening and deforming.
How to check the authenticity of a silver coin
It is convenient to check the quality of silver coins using ice, placing it on top of the product at room temperature. Due to the high heat conductivity of the metal, the frozen piece will begin to melt faster than on a regular surface.
Hydrostatic weighing will help you recognize silver coins, as well as check the authenticity of silver in jewelry. For this method you will need very accurate food or jewelry scales. Having also prepared a thread, a glass of water and a test product, follow the diagram:
- Weigh the product on a scale and write down the exact weight.
- Place a glass of water on the scale and reset the dial to zero.
- After making a thread loop and placing a coin or jewelry through the thread, carefully lower them into the water without touching the glass.
- Note your result.
- Divide the "dry" weight by the "wet" weight to determine the density.
If the material being tested is silver, then the resulting indicator will be higher than 10 (ideally 10.5).
! How to determine the authenticity of gold yourself.
The way to avoid counterfeiting is to buy jewelry and cutlery from certified points of sale. If, for example, you find a silver coin from Tsarist Russia in the attic, try to confirm the authenticity of the metal at home or contact a professional.
For more information, watch the video:
Larisa, March 2, 2019.
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How to check if silver is real at home. How to test silver for authenticity using iodine, vinegar, chalk, lapis pencil, sulfur ointment. How to test a silver sample. How to test a coin for silver
How to test silver at home - methods with iodine, sample, vinegar, chalk, lapis pencil, sulfur ointment. How to easily check the authenticity of silver.
Doubts about the quality of purchased items, an unexpected find, an inheritance in the form of old coins - the desire to test metal for silver can be due to a lot of different reasons. Next we will talk about whether it is possible to check the authenticity of silver at home, determine its fineness, various testing methods and where to go for an expert assessment.
Check if the silver is real by the presence of a hallmark
Silver items sold on the international market must be marked with a hallmark indicating the fineness of the metal, indicating the percentage of silver and impurities. So, sterling silver costs 925. This means that the alloy is 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent pure copper. Silver of 900 and 800 purity is called “coin” silver; in such alloys the impurity content reaches 10 and 20 percent, respectively.
Required:
- product to be tested;
- magnifying glass;
- means and accessories for cleaning silver (in cases where the product is significantly dirty).
Order of conduct:
- If necessary, clean the product from dirt.
- Find the brand. It should be located symmetrically with respect to the edges of the product. The numbers must be clear.
- The absence of a mark cannot be one hundred percent evidence that the product is not silver. Perhaps it was not certified or was produced in countries where stamping is not mandatory.
Required:
- product to be tested;
- magnet.
Check procedure:
- Try to magnetize the product.
- Evaluate the result. Silver is classified as diamagnetic and does not attach to household magnets.
How to check whether silver is real or not using ice/boiling water
Silver has the highest thermal conductivity of all metals. This is what the next test is based on. This method is not very suitable for checking jewelry, but it can be used to check a coin or bar for silver.
Required:
- product to be tested;
- ice/glass of boiling water.
Check procedure:
- Place a piece of ice on a coin or bar.
- Evaluate the result. If the product is made of silver, then the ice will melt quickly.
- When using boiling water, a product placed in a glass of liquid will instantly heat up.
The method is not very reliable; it can be used as an auxiliary method by people with an ear for music.
Required:
- product to be tested;
- hard, smooth surface/metal object;
- silver standard product - optional.
Check procedure:
- Throw the product being tested onto a hard, flat, smooth surface or tap the product with a metal object.
- Do the same with the reference product.
- Compare the sounds made when the product is tapped or collided with a surface. In the absence of a standard, it is easy to evaluate the nature of the sound: real silver should produce ringing sounds.
How to test silver at home with bleach
You will need:
- product to be tested;
- oxygen bleach;
- water (if using powdered bleach).
Check procedure:
- Add water to oxygen bleach in powder form and mix.
- Place the product in the resulting solution/liquid bleach.
- Evaluate the result. The darkening of the item will indicate that it is silver or silver-plated.
How to test silver with sulfur ointment
Required:
- product to be tested;
- Sulfuric ointment;
- sandpaper;
- cotton swab;
- clean cloth.
Check procedure:
- Without making much effort, sand a small area of the product with sandpaper. It is recommended to check in inconspicuous places.
- Using a cotton swab, apply sulfur ointment to the sanded area.
- Wait five minutes.
- Use a cloth to remove the ointment from the product.
- Evaluate the result. When the silver comes into contact with sulfur, a dark blue stain should appear.
How to test silver with iodine
It is important to remember that removing stains left by iodine from silver is quite problematic.
Required:
- product to be tested;
- iodine;
- cotton swab.
Check procedure:
- Place a small spot on an inconspicuous area of the product with a cotton swab dipped in iodine solution.
- Evaluate the result. For silver and silver-plated items, the test area will darken.
How to test silver with chalk
Required:
- product to be checked. This test is one of the simplest and most convenient ways to check silverware for authenticity;
- chalk.
Check procedure:
- Rub the object with chalk.
- If the chalk has darkened in places where it interacts with the item, then the item or its coating is silver.
How to test silver at home? The video published below clearly describes 5 methods, including using chalk.
How to test silver with a lapis pencil
Required:
- product to be tested;
- lapis pencil;
- water.
Check procedure:
- Moisten the surface of the item being tested with water.
- Draw over the product with a lapis pencil.
- After a few minutes, evaluate the result. The noble metal will darken at the point of contact with lapis.
How to test silver with vinegar
Required:
- product to be tested;
- acetic acid;
- needle file
Check procedure:
- Scratch an inconspicuous area of the product with a needle file.
- Apply acetic acid to the damage. What other acid can be used to test silver? Nitrogen, according to the same principle.
- The appearance of green foam indicates that the product is a fake.
How to test silver with a reagent (drop method)
Required:
- product to be tested;
- Chrompik reagent;
- pipette;
- gloves;
- needle file/sandpaper;
- napkin;
- degreaser.
Check procedure:
- Wear gloves.
- Degrease the product.
- Use a thin file or sandpaper to treat a small area of the item in an inconspicuous place. This is required so as not to confuse a silver-plated item with a silver one.
- Apply a drop of Chrompic to the treated surface.
- After 15–20 seconds, remove the reagent from the surface of the product with a napkin.
- Check whether the silver is of high quality by the reaction of the reagent. The brown-brown color of the test zone is characteristic of 600 sterling silver. The dark red color indicates 925 silver. Silver that does not contain impurities becomes bright red due to reaction with chromium peak.
How to check the quality of silver with a touchstone (grinding method)
Required:
- product being tested;
- touchstone. In order to reliably test a silver sample, you will need assay needles;
- assay reagents for silver;
- gloves.
Check procedure:
- Wear gloves.
- Pass the test item across the touchstone so that a stripe several centimeters long remains.
- If you have assay needles, run them over the stone in the same way.
- Drop the reagent onto the strips.
- Compare the results of the reaction of the strip left by the item being tested with the stripes from assay needles.
How to check technical silver
Technical silver is used to make various instruments and devices. Unlike jewelry silver, such silver is often used in its pure form.
The methods described above are also suitable for testing technical silver.
Where to check silver
It is recommended to contact jewelry workshops for an expert assessment. If there are none within your reach, you can resort to the services of an appraiser at a pawnshop.
Conclusion
You can try to check whether the silver is real at home. But traditional methods do not guarantee one hundred percent results, so it is recommended to consult a specialist.
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