Categories: Instruction and information
Word count/read time: 1524 words; 6 minutes
As a warning from my experiences dealing with precious metals,
assume the (silver, gold) you are buying is fake.
Aside from the fire assay test or refining, no singular test is absolutely conclusive.
They are always used together.
Key Definitions and Explanations
Destructivity - 1-10 scale: 1 is non-destructive, 10 is annihilation
Difficulty - 1-10 scale: 1 is easy, 10 is prohibitive
Accessibility - 1-10 scale: 1 is accessible, 10 requires government clearance
Equipment Cost - Equipment or supplies necessary; in dollars
Service Cost - Cost to have a facility do it for you; in dollars
Effectiveness - 1-10 scale: 1 is unreliable, 10 is foolproof
Value - 1-10 scale: 1 is essentially useless, 10 is worth it
Explanation - Description of the test
NOTE: The above ratings assume that the given testing method is done properly!
Index of Testing Methods - Destructive
Hardness
Destructivity - 6
Difficulty - 3
Accessibility - 5
Equipment Cost - $900
Service Cost - $50
Effectiveness - 3
Value - 3
Explanation
Silver has a Mohs rating of 2.5 for dead-soft to maybe 3.5 to 4 for
work-hardened pieces. Lead has a rating of 1.5. The
fake silver alloys, aside from lead-based ones, will usually be harder. Dust has a rating of 6.5 to 7 which explains why
rubbing a silver or gold piece can leave fine scratches. Most of us don't have access to testing equipment like this but
a little common sense and some known samples can help rule out some fakes. Machines like this start around $1000.
PROS: Not many; it will rule out
some fakes but if you are banking on this test, you're gonna be poor
CONS: Testing equipment is somewhat expensive; will slightly damage piece during the testing since it leaves an
impression that can't readily be repaired; rudimentary and only useful as a last resort; does not detect the presence
of silver
Flame Method, v1
Destructivity - 6
Difficulty - 2
Accessibility - 2
Equipment Cost - $40
Service Cost - n/a
Effectiveness - 5
Value - 9
Explanation
This differs from the heat or cold test listed in Part 1. Primarily useful for lead-based
bars, it will destroy them. Lead has a much lower melting temperature than all precious metals. If a bar is lead-filled
or primarily composed of lead, it will melt away long before it should. It is necessary to have some control over the flame or
furnace temperature. Filled bars
can be dangerous since the core may turn liquid or gas before the outside melts,
potentially exploding. The color of the metal after heating can indicate the presence of some elements
as seen in the next test.
PROS: Inexpensive
CONS: Can damage the piece; does not detect the presence of silver
Flame Method, v2
Destructivity - 7
Difficulty - 2
Accessibility - 2
Equipment Cost - $40
Service Cost - n/a
Effectiveness - 6
Value - 9
Explanation
This differs from version 1 due to the amount of heat you will be applying to the piece.
Use it only after it passes version 1.
Pure silver will not tarnish or discolor when heated with an air-aspirated (neutral, propane is easiest) flame. As the presence
of non-silver metals increases, the piece will change colors (oxidize) as it gets hotter.
Heat it to red hot for this effect to be pronounced. Pure silver will have, at most, a white coating on it after
water quenching but lesser purities will have more coloring.
Videos of this type of testing will be uploaded soon.
PROS: Inexpensive
CONS: Can damage the piece but at the very least, it will anneal it; doesn't detect the presence
of silver
Acid Test, Drop Method
Destructivity - 4
Difficulty - 3
Accessibility - 2
Equipment Cost - $10
Service Cost - $15
Effectiveness - 7
Value - 9
Explanation
The acid test is the most popular and reliable home method but
99%+ of people incorrectly use it though 100% of them think they are right!
The acid always turns red the first time on a silverplated item.
Wipe it off and repeat six or seven times in the same spot, letting the acid sit for 15-30 seconds each iteration.
If it is still red, it is silver or the thickest plating known to man.
The test site can be polished almost as good as new. Regarding silverplated turning red, a simple analogy
is testing particle board for the presence of wood. Burning a small piece will absolutely smell
like wood but it is not a correct assumption to say it is solid wood because it is particle board, not
solid wood. Ergo, the presence of silver means nothing more than the presence of silver and is no
guarantee the entire item is silver.
Videos of this type of testing will be uploaded soon.
PROS: Simple to use and accurate when done correctly; inexpensive; readily available; the most common test
CONS: Acid must be fresh; potential damage to the piece; a multitude
of idiots will think a pile of rusty nails is silver
Acid Test, Scratch/Gouge Method
Destructivity - 7
Difficulty - 4
Accessibility - 2
Equipment Cost - $10
Service Cost - $15
Effectiveness - 7
Value - 9
Explanation
The gouge method tests some shavings from the piece.
There is no going back. The scratch test, while not as
damaging as the gouge method, requires rubbing the piece against a test stone to which
the acid is added. Silverplating will give a positive test if the underlying base metal isn't reached.
If the scratch spot is carefully chosen, it
can be hidden with a little polishing or TLC. Even more people do not know how to do
this method than the acid drop method but still, 100% of them think they are right.
Videos of this type of testing will be uploaded soon.
PROS: Simple to use and accurate when done correctly; inexpensive; readily available; the most common test
CONS: Acid must be fresh; potential damage to the piece; a multitude
of idiots will think a pile of rusty nails is silver, the 99% cited above
Dissection - Cut into Pieces or Drilling
Destructivity - 9
Difficulty - 5
Accessibility - 3
Equipment Cost - $15
Service Cost - $20
Effectiveness - 5
Value - 8
Explanation
The last resort would be to drill or cut the piece for a visual inspection. Take a sample from the middle of the
piece and use an acid test or one of the other testing methods. Use them all if necessary.
PROS: There are no secrets when it is sliced like a pizza
CONS: Piece will be destroyed; cutting dust and remnants, unless care is taken, will go to waste which is
money down the toilet;
can be time-consuming without mechanized equipment; does not detect the presence of silver since it
only affirms that the piece is solid and (maybe) homogenous
Fire Assay
Destructivity - 10
Difficulty - 8
Accessibility - 7
Equipment Cost - $2500
Service Cost - $40+
Effectiveness - 10
Value - 9
Explanation
The last LAST resort would be a fire assay. The piece is melted down
and a series of special tests are performed on it. It requires an exceptionally accurate scale, a decent furnace
where temperature can be controlled, and the means to make and pour ingots.
Special one-time use crucibles designed for this purpose are sometimes used depending on the metal being assayed.
PROS: 100% accuracy and 100% fool-proof; low cost; readily available service
CONS: Piece will be destroyed
Refining
Destructivity - 10
Difficulty - 8
Accessibility - 8
Equipment Cost - $3000
Service Cost - $100+
Effectiveness - 10
Value - 8
Explanation
The other last LAST resort would be refining. You will get pure silver in the end.
PROS: 100% accuracy and 100% fool-proof; readily available service
CONS: Piece will be destroyed; refineries may not give accurate returns when they are
paying out
Other Chemical Analysis
Destructivity - up to 10
Difficulty - 9
Accessibility - 8
Equipment Cost - varies
Service Cost - expensive
Effectiveness - up to 10
Value - up to 10
Explanation
Titration and its kinfolk come to mind.
Sending the ingot or sample through a refining process would also qualify.
Aside from refining, which is the goal
of acquiring most precious metals, they are useful but
not feasible for our needs.
PROS: Highly accurate
CONS: Highly advanced; requires a sample from the piece in question, much more than
would be used in a scratch or drop acid
test; considerable knowledge and familiarity with laboratory equipment and procedures required; expensive
Ultimately you have to answer to yourself unless you scam someone who complains, in which case
it might be the authorities asking the questions. It is impossible to fool all the tests all the time.
It's a matter of how far you will to go to prove what you have or believe the skills of the counterfeiter.
A summary of all testing methods will be presented in the next blog entry.
Posted by M: August 18, 2014
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