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silver can be tested by putting a small drop of nitric acid on the item.If the spot being tested turns a ugly green color,it is not silver (or at least not sterling). if the test spot turns a creamy color, it is silver. Testing solution (acid) may be obtained from jewelry supply companies.

Sterling Silver or Silver Plated: 3 Simple Tests!

1. Silver Markings or "Hallmarks"

Surely, the simplest way to determine the grade of your silver is to look for silver markings left by the manufacturer. One of the most common markings is the imprint of the numbers ".925" (900 and 800 are also common). This indicates that your piece is 92.5% pure silver. Silver is often blended with 7.5% copper alloy. This gives the silver more strength than 100% pure, or /fine /silver.

2. The Magnet Test

This is another fairly common way to test the purity of your silver -- although I do not recommend using this method alone. Silver is a nonferrous material, meaning that it is not magnetic. For this test, the best tool to use is a rare-earth magnet which is also stronger than most magnets and won't lose strength over time.

3. The Acid Test

This is an effective test, however if you are dealing with a piece that you think may be particularly valuable, you may want to try other methods of testing you silver first, as this may damage your silver slightly.

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8y ago

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