How can you tell if an item is silver?

[GoneDiggin_?]

Afternoon all,

How can you tell is something is silver if it does not have a marking? I found a studded earring today, it is quite heavy, but it does not have any markings. I read that a magnet will not stick to silver. I tried it... did not stick. Can I rely on this method? I do not have any chemicals for testing. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

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[WhiteTornado]

Magnet test was a good start. Short of doing a chemical test on your own, next best thing is take it to a reputable jeweler.

 

[Skippy SH13]

Spit/Foil Test for Silver

Best Cheap test I know of is the spit and foil test. This is not a joke, and so you know what you're looking for, take a known piece of silver (like a coin), and a clad coin (or any other metal), and try it yourself, so you know what smells you're looking for.

Take the item you think is silver, and get a small piece of foil (enough to cover what you're testing, I usually just rip a 4" section off the role). Lay the item on the foil and spit on it (just saliva, no gobs!). Wrap the foil around the item a bit, and rub the aluminum on the item to make sure the spit/foil is contacting the metal. Let it sit for 15-20 seconds. Open it back and up and smell it. If it's silver, it will stink to high heaven, when you sniff the metal. Sulfur, bad, nasty smell. It's gross, and distinctive. Non-silver items won't have the reaction. Once done, rinse off the item, obviously.

I've done this in the field, too, as foil is pretty readily available in the form of gum wrappers! It's an easy test, though I recommend you do it with a known silver item FIRST, so you know what smell you're looking for.

Cheers,

Skippy.

 

[bigfoot1]

if you are into treasure hunting your gonna want a metals test kit of your own...they are cheap on amazon.the big kit with everything including scale and electronic diamond tester is about 50 bucks.as low as about 15 bucks...must have.It could be white gold as well.

 

[GoneDiggin_?]

Just a beginner - 4 months. I know the stones are probably cz - but the metal.... took it to a few places at the mall. Think they were focusing on the stones.... the metal did not turn in silver cleaner except for the post of the stud. As Bigfoot1 said - big bucks on equipment is not gonna solve that.. I am relaxed, enjoying myself and happy with my finds! Today I found dog licenses - an ID tag, rabies tag and license. I was just at that park the other day. Called the numbers on the one tag.... guess they don't care about their fur babies. I wanted to return them... no response.... I tried