How can you tell if something is silver?

[Hill Billy]

I have a homesite on my farm that burned to the ground 40 years ago.I have found all sorts of metals that have been melted from the fire and i want to know if they are silver.Some pieces feel light and some feel heavy.The ones that feel heavy I have scratched with a knife and some shiny metal is revealed. I know lead will look shiny with a knive cut but so will silver.Any help with my question?
Thanks HB

 

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[Rob66]

Silver has that special look to it a coin collector can tell right off the bat.... but in this saturation its hard to tell due to the fire. Have any pictures? Try to clean it as best as possible.

RD

 

[lFoundlInlOhiol]

I have a homesite on my farm that burned to the ground 40 years ago.I have found all sorts of metals that have been melted from the fire and i want to know if they are silver.Some pieces feel light and some feel heavy.The ones that feel heavy I have scratched with a knife and some shiny metal is revealed. I know lead will look shiny with a knive cut but so will silver.Any help with my question?
Thanks HB

Taste it ummmmm..

 

[Sandman]

You can apply a drop of Nitric acid to the scratch or a drop of Dichromate Solution to the scratch and if it bubbles red up a bright red color you have silver. No other white metal reacts this way. Don't get any of the acids on your hands and don't breathe the fumes.........

 

[DFX-SE Gregg]

Ok a little light humor especially after seeing the name you use.....

This test is called the hillbilly test.....

1. Take item to be tested and grip between fingers.

2. open mouth wide....

3. Bite down hard on object being tested...

4. If chocolate squirts out it is not real silver.... .....it your teeth crack or fall out yeah...you found silver!

 

[Hill Billy]

I'm on my way to the dentist to stop the bleeding.4 teeth fell out.Why did I listen to you? Hill Billy

 

[BuckleBoy]

HAHAHA! Chemical test is probably the most surefire way. Good luck, HB, and keep in touch.

Will

 

[DFX-SE Gregg]

I'm on my way to the dentist to stop the bleeding.4 teeth fell out.Why did I listen to you? Hill Billy

Hey buddie glad to see you have a sense of humor! Unless it is stamped...I am clueless!

 

[Rob66]

You can apply a drop of Nitric acid to the scratch or a drop of Dichromate Solution to the scratch and if it bubbles red up a bright red color you have silver. No other white metal reacts this way. Don't get any of the acids on your hands and don't breathe the fumes.........

learn something new everyday.

 

[lFoundlInlOhiol]

Ok a little light humor especially after seeing the name you use.....

This test is called the hillbilly test.....

1. Take item to be tested and grip between fingers.

2. open mouth wide....

3. Bite down hard on object being tested...

4. If chocolate squirts out it is not real silver.... .....it your teeth crack or fall out yeah...you found silver!

And you might be a ''Redneck''

 

[teverly]

Send it to one of us and we will let you know!!!!

 

[rwsnc]

I agree with getting it tested. I found part of a bar that I really hoped was pure silver. It was heavy, oxidized on the outside and shiny silver looking when scraped with a knife. Turned out to be a partial bar of lead.

 

[Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp]

HIO: Sorry for being so late but try this for a simple and relatively accurate test.


Don Jose de La Mancha

 

[hollowpointred]

read this thread. there are two methods for testing silver that i know of. one involves nitric acid and the other is a specific gravity test. this thread explains both.
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,31475.0.html

 

[UnEarthed72]

You can apply a drop of Nitric acid to the scratch or a drop of Dichromate Solution to the scratch and if it bubbles red up a bright red color you have silver. No other white metal reacts this way. Don't get any of the acids on your hands and don't breathe the fumes.........

learn something new everyday.

tell me about it......Can anyone obtain these chemicals readily?,where can you buy them?