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 dealers, you need to know how to check silver for authenticity in accessible ways.
Visual inspection
Of course, a 100% guarantee that you have real metal is provided by spectral analysis in the laboratory. But such a test is expensive. In addition, not every city conducts them. Therefore, it is worth learning about how to check silver at home.
To get started, look at the product. A sure sign that this is real metal is the hallmark of the State Assay Office. On the products of the Soviet era there is a print of a sickle with a hammer. At modern works of jewelers there is a print in the form of a woman's head in a kokoshnik. The print itself should be clear, rectangular in shape with rounded lower and upper sides.
Take a closer look at the metal sample. In Russia, such values are accepted - 800, 830, 875, 925, 960. The letter S (silver) is present on foreign products. If you find SP (silver plated) on metal, then you have a silver-plated object in front of you. On antiques there is a stamp with the number 84. This standard was used in Russia until the 27th of the last century. Such an impression says that before you is silver of the 875th test.
If there is no mark on the item, carefully inspect it. Do not purchase products that have abrasions of a different color. Do not forget to check the quality of workmanship and processing of items. All links of the chain or bracelet must be solid and well sealed.
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"
A similar method of testing silver does not provide a 100% guarantee. Indeed, some businessmen have learned to create special perfumes with the smell of noble metal. In addition, to smell silver, you need a good sense of smell.
Checking the product for “sound” is a little easier. When struck against another metal, silver emits a ringing sound similar to crystal. Therefore, throw a coin or ring on the tray, and if the item "sings", then you have a piece of jewelry, not a fake.
Silver is a rather soft metal, and it is often checked "for a tooth." If you feel that the material is too strong and cannot be bitten, this is a fake made of cupronickel or steel.
Heat
From school chemistry lessons, we remember that silver is a metal with high thermal conductivity. And if you take a ring or a spoon in your hands, then the products should quickly heat up by hand. To speed up the test, dip the product in hot water. It will become warm in a few seconds. Did the metal stay cool? Before you is a fake.
In addition, you can check the silver tray or coin in this way: put a piece of ice on the item. If it unnaturally quickly melts, then this is a noble metal.
Chlorine
If you purchased a product whose authenticity you are in doubt, then check it at home. One of the most affordable and effective ways to check silver is to drop a bleaching agent on an item, such as White. After 5-10 minutes, the noble metal will turn black. But other materials are unlikely to show a similar reaction. To remove traces, wipe the subject with ammonia.
Sulfuric ointment
This method of testing silver at home is risky but effective. If you do not have sulfuric ointment, then you can purchase it at the nearest pharmacy. Moreover, this drug is sold without a prescription.
To check the silver product, smear the area with ointment and leave for 10-15 minutes. If the metal is genuine, then it will turn black from contact with the drug. To restore its original purity and shine, boil the product in water with the addition of soda and pieces of foil. In a pinch, carefully clean the stain with a nail file.
Iodine
This method of how to check silver should be used only in extreme cases. After all, traces of iodine are difficult to remove from a noble metal. For a test, drop a little reagent on the product. If after a while a dark spot has formed at the place of contact, then do not worry, this is real metal. Moreover, the blacker the mark, the higher the fineness of silver.
If, on contact with iodine, a white coating appears on the product, then you are 100% fake.
Removing traces of a reagent from an item will be difficult. The product should be boiled in water with soda. If this does not help, then clean the stain with a nail file or sandpaper, and then polish the surface.
a piece of chalk
This method of how to verify the authenticity of silver at home is no less effective than treatment with iodine or sulfuric ointment. But at the same time, chalk does not harm the metal. And after the test, there is no trace left on the products.
To check, swipe a piece of rock on the metal. If the chalk from contact with the product has darkened, then you can not be afraid. Before you is silver.
Magnet
Another effective way to check silver for authenticity at home is to bring a magnet to the product. Noble metal does not react to such a "neighborhood." But if there is an admixture of iron in the product, then the magnet will be attracted to it.
Sharp object
A similar method will help distinguish a 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 you have silver. A reddish strip will appear on the surface of the fake item.
How to test silver with nitric acid
A similar verification method is effective. But getting nitric acid is not easy. If you managed to get this reagent, then test in this way:
- Choose an inconspicuous spot on the subject and lightly scratch it with a needle or knife.
- Put a little acid on the scratch.
- Wait 5-10 seconds for the metal to react with acid.
Pure high-quality silver from contact with the reagent will turn black. If the spot is green, then you have silver plated brass or cupronickel.
Check metal for density
For such a test, you will need accurate scales and a glass of clean water. How to check:
- Weigh the item and record this value.
- Place a glass of water on the scales and zero them.
- Hang the item on a string and carefully lower it into water. Make sure that the product does not touch the bottom or walls of the glass. Record the result of the “water” weighing.
- Divide the first result into the second.
If the metal is genuine, then the resulting number is 10 or higher. A similar method of testing silver is not suitable for products with inserted minerals or voids.
Numismatic guides
Counterfeiting coins is a profitable business, because the price for one rare copy reaches serious amounts. Therefore, numismatists should be careful. If you purchase a coin from a private collector, then before buying, be sure to check the weight in the directory. Even a slight deviation should alert. Most likely, they sell you a coin from another material, and not silver at all.