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Thread: testing silver/gold

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Coventry, West Midlands
    Posts
    21

    Default testing silver/gold

    Hi

    I know there are kits available, but is there a cheaper alternative for testing silver/gold? How effective are magnets for testing silver?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    cotswolds
    Posts
    3,383

    Default

    A magnet will only tell you if there's a ferrous metal present - as is often the case with plated items, especially from the Far East. It can be misleading though, as sterling or gold clasps (for example) may contain a steel spring, which will be attracted to the magnet.

    You can also file a small piece away to see if something is plated copper (in which case you'll see a coppery glint).

    However, the only real way to be sure is an acid testing kit. Even then, it takes a bit of practice to be able to see the colours correctly.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Coventry, West Midlands
    Posts
    21

    Default

    thanks


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