Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2006 3:24 am Posts: 4997 Location: McDonough GA
I purchased a lot of silver chains that were sold to me as sterling. They are indeed stamped 925. How can I go about verifying that they are silver and not plated brass or base metal? Is this something that can be done at a jeweler?
Simple way to test for sterling ... get out your specific gravity equipment and check the SG of you rchains .. if they are sterling the specific gravity will be 10.36
hope this helps
_________________ A Chinese proverb says "Gold is valuable, Jade is Priceless."
Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:44 pm Posts: 1079 Location: Washington State
A jeweler who is familiar with acid testing will probably have both nitric acid and Schwerters solution, (nitric with some potassium dichromate). Nitric is easier when testing for plated stuff as a drop on the piece will tell you immediately if it's been plated since it will fizz vigorously and may turn green as well. A word of caution, if you're concerned about the look of the pieces, make sure to do the testing in an inconspicuous spot, since either solution will discolor the piece. Schwerters is kind of neat in that it can indicate the metal content of various metals in the piece by the color the solution turns.
Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2006 3:24 am Posts: 4997 Location: McDonough GA
George: Thanks for that idea. Unfortunately, I'm not set up at the moment for SG. LOL you should see my office.
Michael: Excellent. I'm not concerned at all about the appearance of the sacrificial piece. I have well over 100 pieces and non of them were pricy so i can give one to the acid gods to validate the rest.
Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2012 4:06 pm Posts: 64 Location: Exeter, California
While I do not advise cutting into a piece as it is normally unnecessary with normal plated gods In some cases it is advisable. Schwerters solution is available pre mixed from most of the vendors whom sell gold testing solutions, for the nitric acid I would suggest using a 14 K test solution although 10 will probably work as well. For a non destructive surface test X ray fluorescence is probably the most accurate, however you need to be doing a lot of this type of analysis to afford the high buy-in price ($20,000 or so).
_________________ Wayne M Schenk BS (chemistry) KSU, GG Gemological Institute of America, Consulting Jeweler, Gold Smith, Gemologist, appraiser and part time Horologist
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
I know, Jason, you're not set up for Specific Gravity, but I've used it somewhat frequently over the years to help with identifying metals. Just in case, here is a good reference: http://www.hauserandmiller.com/reference/melting.html
Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2006 3:24 am Posts: 4997 Location: McDonough GA
Well, apparently no jewelers in my area are able to do the job for a fee that sounds reasonable. In fact, i only found one jeweler who could do an acid test and they wanted $25.00. Is that a reasonable price?
If anyone here is willing to do this for me I will pay you and you can keep the chain.
Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2007 10:23 am Posts: 923 Location: NYC
Jason wrote:
Well, apparently no jewelers in my area are able to do the job for a fee that sounds reasonable. In fact, i only found one jeweler who could do an acid test and they wanted $25.00. Is that a reasonable price?
If anyone here is willing to do this for me I will pay you and you can keep the chain.
Jason
25$????!!! if i was in NYC i would do it for your for free, buy Schwerters solution from amazon for 12$ and test it yourself,
Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:44 pm Posts: 1079 Location: Washington State
I agree with these guy's Jason, do it yourself. It's very easy, takes seconds and gives excellent assurance that you either have silver or not. Make sure to wear safety glasses and rubber gloves. Those solutions can wreck your eyes and give you some long term staining on your fingers if you aren't careful.
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