Silver?

[Tector]

Hello, found this in my backyard. I thought it was somewhat interesting. It appears to be maybe the "clip" off a pen. Just seems like it could be silver, but no stamps on it to confirm. It's not magnetic_any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

 

[Rmeav8r]

It looks like it could be related to the Boy Scouts "Order of the Arrow." It was common in the 60's and 70's to see bracelets, tie clips and the like.

Scout

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Yea I guess, just spit on it till it stinks. We'll do anything to find silver thanks again

lol Thats one test I havent tried. I guess if your breath stinks, the test is flawed.

 

[DirtDigler]

You don't, by any chance, live near Roswell, NM, do ya?

 

[Red James Cash]

Probably german silver AKA nickle

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Wrap your item in a small piece of aluminum foil, then spit on it; wrap/fold up the foil, then within 10 seconds unfold it. As you are unfolding it, take a big sniff. If it has a bad odor like rotten eggs, your piece is sterling silver. If you're not sure of the smell, test a piece of jewelry or coin that you know is silver. It's a gross test, but it works. Breezie

LOL Breezie. I know you are not fooling with him because I have heard you say this before. I never paid much attention to it other than a little chuckle and never took it seriously but what the heck, I decided to try it. As I expected, I get no odor thats any different than the foil and silver dime I am using and my saliva appears to have no odor.


Do you really test silver this way? Does anyone else really test silver this way lol. Where did you first hear of this? It would seem to me there are more reliable methods. Looking forward to your response.

 

[Silver Searcher]

Wrap your item in a small piece of aluminum foil, then spit on it; wrap/fold up the foil, then within 10 seconds unfold it. As you are unfolding it, take a big sniff. If it has a bad odor like rotten eggs, your piece is sterling silver. If you're not sure of the smell, test a piece of jewelry or coin that you know is silver. It's a gross test, but it works. Breezie

LOL Breezie. I know you are not fooling with him because I have heard you say this before. I never paid much attention to it other than a little chuckle and never took it seriously but what the heck, I decided to try it. As I expected, I get no odor thats any different than the foil and silver dime I am using and my saliva appears to have no odor.


Do you really test silver this way? Does anyone else really test silver this way lol. Where did you first hear of this? It would seem to me there are more reliable methods. Looking forward to your response.

It only works on dug coins, that have the black patina

SS

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

It only works on dug coins, that have the black patina

SS

Ah thanks SS. I think you are correct. Im trying to research this online and not having much luck. Its repeated all over the metal detecting communuity but I havent found anything substantial yet. Im guessing that spit reacts to Silver Sulfide (black patina) So in this case the spit/foil test will not work.

But dont worry, I found a more reliable silver test. http://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=30024

I learned this method from an original Gold Rush 49'er that used this method for years and years to determine if an item was gold or silver or junk.


There are a few steps to this but it work 100% of the time most of the time as long as it is done properly.



1) Trap a female Raccoon that is in heat.

2) Smear item you wish to determine is silver in Bath and Body Works Vanilla Body Butter (Mango will work too!)

3) Give said item to the raccoon and chant "silver this? silver that! little bandit rat tat tat!"

4) Wait for the result. You will know with 100% certainty most of the time if the method has determined that the item is silver or not.


To determine if an item is Gold replace "silver" in the chant with "gold"

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

UPDATE: Have you tried the spit test Tector? Myself, I havent tried the foil/spit test on my blackened silver yet, but while waiting for a raccoon to spring my trap, I discovered a way online to clean silver. Apparently baking soda and aluminum causes a chemical reaction with silver. Maybe a similar reaction occurs with spit and foil. Heres the link with pics. http://www.itsfrugalbeinggreen.com/cleaning-silver-baking-soda-aluminum-foil/

 

[Kieth-Tx]

Too funny Bigcypresshunter!!!

 

[psgen]

It very well could be the pocket clip piece of a "arrow pen" The more expensive ones often have unique design features. Just a guess!

 

[Breezie]

LOL is everyone a comedian? Actually, the test is for Sterling Silver jewelry because of the copper content. I don't think it will work with coin silver. So, BCH, try it with sterling. I learned the technique from an old Native American Indian, but 'no' I don't use the test because I can generally look and feel a piece of jewelry and tell if it is sterling or not. Breezie

PS: The only raccoon I could find was on my birdfeeder, and I'm not sure if she's a she or he's a he? (BTW, this is an actual pic of my backyard, not one from Google.)

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Thanks Breezie. The spit/foil test is all over the treasure hunting sites. Everyone swears it works but it doesnt seem to work for me and I cant find anything scientific... and even Snopes has nothing. Im still searching.

 

[Silver Searcher]

LOL is everyone a comedian? Actually, the test is for Sterling Silver jewelry because of the copper content. I don't think it will work with coin silver. So, BCH, try it with sterling. I learned the technique from an old Native American Indian, but 'no' I don't use the test because I can generally look and feel a piece of jewelry and tell if it is sterling or not. Breezie

PS: The only raccoon I could find was on my birdfeeder, and I'm not sure if she's a she or he's a he? (BTW, this is an actual pic of my backyard, not one from Google.)

Like I said it only works on the coins with the black patina, it works perfect on hammered coins, but I will only use it on common types(no value) as it also scratches, coins will also turn black with common household bleach, I also use this method to high lite coins. Like BigC says there are better ways of testing, and also cleaning Silver.

SS

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I tried it on black silver but I guess I need to try it again. Ill get a good wad of spit this time.

 

[Breezie]

I tried it on black silver but I guess I need to try it again. Ill get a good wad of spit this time.

BCC, eat a lemon; that should pucker you up! Breezie

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Im still waiting to see how Tectors test went.

Well I covered a black piece of Sterling in spit. I mean I completely drenched it. There was so much it was dripping over the foil. (Pictures soon to be posted due to repeated requests). I wrapped it up in aluminum foil, squeezed it, and chanted "silver this? silver that! little bandit rat tat tat!" for effect, turned around 3 times while counting to 10. Well I think y'all know what happened.

Nothing happened. It smells a little like dirty silver covered in spit. I tried it with a copper penny and I think I got a slight odor....Yes it smells like dirty copper covered in spit! ....but I knew the penny was copper before I spat on it.


Is the spit foil test fact or fiction... or do I have weak spit?? Maybe this is one for the Myth Busters. I even checked Snopes again. Why is it, I can find nothing at all online outside of the treasure hunting forums? Urban Legend? Old Wives Tale? Is this another one of those modern internet rumors that just keeps getting passed around. If I found in online, it must be true right?

 

[testing123]

Let's stop spitting in foil and buy silver test kits on ebay! It's only a few bucks and doesn't require blowing your nose into foil that's been brushed with flakes from the Holy Grail!