Cheap/free ways to determine if you have real gold or silver

[Skippy SH13]

EDIT: No longer maintaining post.

 

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[T.C.]

Hey Skippy....I tried the "spit" test and it didn't work. Probably because I was drinking coffee. My wife "googled" it and found another test. Place an ice cube directly on the unknown piece and if it instantly starts to melt, it's silver. It worked!! Ice cube instantly started to melt!! Here's some pics of the piece....it weighs 2.55 ounces.

 

[flgliderpilot]

Can you bend it? It looks like lead to me. I found pieces of this several times around utility poles and finally realized it's probably solder, either from underground cables, or plumbing, or something, not really sure of the source, but I find it in what looks like puddles which have cooled.

 

[T.C.]

In reply to both posts: It does not bend like lead. Received my test kit just now. Scratched the piece on the stone and applied acid....it's .500 silver. Also, it is not magnetic. I thought it was slag at first too. I guess just a low grade silver!! The acid turned green (.500). Thanks for the help fellars!!

 

[flgliderpilot]

Nice!

 

[Red James Cash]

For non 24k gold just put bleach on it,bleach will dull the shine.wash it of quickly though bleach will attack the other metals in the piece your testing.

 

[BosnMate]

In reply to both posts: It does not bend like lead. Received my test kit just now. Scratched the piece on the stone and applied acid....it's .500 silver. Also, it is not magnetic. I thought it was slag at first too. I guess just a low grade silver!! The acid turned green (.500). Thanks for the help fellars!!

Probably silver soldier. I have some 50 and 60 percent silver solder out in my shop right now.

 

[T.C.]

Silver solder is bendable by hand isn't it?? This stuff is heavy and you can't bend it by hand.

Probably silver soldier. I have some 50 and 60 percent silver solder out in my shop right now.

 

[Baja]

Great info!

 

[jerseyben]

FYI: To anyone who thinks that green = 50% silver, this is false.

Green means not silver.

 

[T.C.]

I'm just quoting what the paper insert with the kit said??

FYI: To anyone who thinks that green = 50% silver, this is false.

Green means not silver.

 

[jerseyben]

Also, you need to acid test the item itself, vs a scratch test.

File into the item on a flat section. Place a drop of the acid on the filed part. Watch it under good lighting with a magnifier. Be sure to wait up to 1 minute for a reaction. Look for bubbling and turning green. If this happens = not silver (or extremely low silver content).

 

[T.C.]

I'll give it a try and get back to ya!!

 

[pepperj]

I've been always led to believe that red is what to look for, green seems just mean or = to brass/copper base.