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Carcano
11-27-08, 03:51 PM
One of my nieces brought home a necklace she bought at a garage sale a few days ago. She paid all of five dollars for it, but as soon as I picked it up I noticed it was quite heavy.

Hmm, I said, maybe this is real silver...which would make it worth 40-50 bucks just for the melt value.

Wowee, she shouted...or maybe its platinum!

Dont push your luck kiddo. :cool:

So I got a magnet, and sure enough its not magnetic. Most junk jewelry is magnetic.

I'm still not sure though. It could be sterling silver, but then it would usually have a 925 stamp on it somewhere...indicating 92.5% silver alloy with copper or zinc.

Or it could be plated??? I just dont know.

Is there anyway to identify real silver without destroying the piece?

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/274/p1050623tc7.jpg
S.A.M.
11-27-08, 03:56 PM
Usually there is an engraving which identifies the silver
joepistole
11-27-08, 03:59 PM
I suppose you could give it the old mustard test.
http://www.helium.com/items/176936-how-to-test-for-pure-silver
Carcano
11-27-08, 04:14 PM
I suppose you could give it the old mustard test.
http://www.helium.com/items/176936-how-to-test-for-pure-silver
Oh, thats good...make it tarnish.

However, if its silver alloyed with zinc, it will be resistant to tarnishing.

All I've established is that it contains no iron or nickel...both of which are magnetic.
cosmictraveler
11-27-08, 05:50 PM
Why not just take it to a jewler and let them examine it for you. That way you'll see how they test so you can do it next time. ;)
one_raven
11-27-08, 05:54 PM
Tell your neice she has good taste.
Carcano
11-27-08, 07:18 PM
Why not just take it to a jewler and let them examine it for you. That way you'll see how they test so you can do it next time. ;)
I think jewelers use some kind of acid test.

Or maybe they measure the volume against mass...using the water displacement method discovered by Archimedes.
Carcano
11-27-08, 07:19 PM
Tell your niece she has good taste.
Yes, it looks better than the pic.
Carcano
11-27-08, 07:22 PM
Usually there is an engraving which identifies the silver
I'm not sure every country has rules about stamping silver.