How I Test For Silver Ag .925 - This May Help You

Why bother scratching it on the stone if you are just going to cut into it? Why not do the magnet test first?

jerseyben,

That's exactly what I said in the post. I explained that I would start with the magnet but for the post I started with the scratch test. I just wanted to show the different techniques. If I started with the magnet, the article would have been over before it started.

Yeah, that'll work fine but I personally like to break apart old discarded computers to extract the integrated rare earth magnets.

This method might save you $ 10 but could also waste your time if you are not familiar with the process.

fyi,
mdpmedia

mds: Understood about the magnet and thank you for the reply.

I still do not understand why you would do a scratch test for sterling if you are just going to cut into it?

Hello,

Here is a dilemma that I sometimes encounter.

Let's assume a seller has an ancient (late 1800s) large ½ gallon nine inch tall ‘supposed' sterling silver coffee server container with a matching 18' diameter ‘supposed' sterling silver serving tray.

The seller indicates that these two items came from his grandmother when she moved from Poland over a 100 years ago. However, neither piece has any written or stamped designation of sterling silver content.

The 14k acid tests have been performed in a couple of places by drilling down 2 - 3 mm in depth and the results indicated .925 (sterling silver); the creamy white after effect appeared without the appearance of the plating indicators of green and/or black colors.

I have also heard from others that sometimes even after obtaining positive test results from both acid testing and magnet tests, a larger ‘supposed' sterling silver serving tray or coffee pot would only contain less than 20% silver after melting it down via an assay procedure etc.

It appears that in the above scenario only the two areas that the buyer checked were sterling but the majority of the pieces were silver plated.

What additional reasonably economical tests or procedures besides what has already been described in the above paragraphs can a buyer perform before purchasing an item to ensure he/she does not get taken to the cleaners?

Keep in mind that the seller wishes to avoid having unsightly cuts or acid stains from the testing done by the buyer on these items so the items can still be sold as undamaged and antique silver plated pieces if the tests do not indicate sterling silver etc.

I am aware of X-ray fluorescence for determining silver content but the cost and availability of these machines are respectively astronomical and scarce.

Any help resolving this problem would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
mdpmedia

Hello,

The following URL visually addressing the differences between .925 and .800 Ag and the related testing methods should be of interest to the viewers of this thread:

https://goccf.com/t/136926

The devil is in the details of realizing slight color variations...

fyi,
mdpmedia

I invited our local pawn shop owner to one of our coin club meetings and he demonstrated the testing techniques used in person. He also talked about the pawn business and it was a really informative presentation.