posted on November 21, 2006 05:24:04 AM
Does anyone know if there is a way to test a piece of unmarked jewelry to see if it is sterling? I would stake my reputation on it being 925 but its not marked.
posted on November 21, 2006 06:25:37 AM
There are testing kits sold on Ebay and other places. I did find this link. Helpful but doesn't offer household items to be used to test. Only nitric acid. I don't know where you get that.
http://www.rings-things.com/SSQ.HTM
I don't know how accurate the test is below. It looks like a reliable purchased silver test containing nitric acid may be the best.
The SILVER Test.
How can you tell if an item that you have found is silver or not? Here's an easy way.
The only thing you need is a piece of tin foil (silver cooking foil). Get the item that you think is silver and place it on the tin foil. Now, SPIT on the item, this will not harm the item at all.
cover the item tightly with the foil after you have spat on it. Leave it for 5-10 seconds, then open the foil. Bring it up to your nose and smell it as you open it. If it smells like rotten eggs then it's silver.
You will notice straight away as the smell is unmistakable and strong.
Try this with something that you know is silver so that you can see it works.
There is no comparitive test for gold.
Gold does not corrode or rust or rot.
Any gold item, even one lost thousands of years ago, will still look like gold after it has been dug up.
]
[ edited by paloma91 on Nov 21, 2006 06:46 AM ]
posted on November 21, 2006 07:06:39 AM
Paloma, Thanks with nonitric acid on hand I tried the "spit"... my daughter looked at me like she better start saving harder for Moms retirement
I don't know if it proves it for the Judicial system but it sure did smell like rotten eggs. I am grateful for your help..
posted on November 21, 2006 08:10:37 AM
paloma - What if someone has a bad case of halitosis, wouldn't it smell like rotten eggs anyway? Maybe try a breath mint before testing? I can only imagine people spitting all over their silver to try the test.
posted on November 21, 2006 11:13:10 AMmy daughter looked at me like she better start saving harder for Moms retirement
lol I almost spit my soda on that one...to funny
