Where Can I Buy Equipment To Test Silver

[StackerJack]

Hi Everyone, sorry for the newbie questions. Before I make any purchases, I would like to be able to test the silver on arrival, I did a search about what equipment I needed, I read a caliper would be helpful and also magnets, can anyone please point me in the right direction as to where I can buy them from. Thank you in advance if you take the time to answer. 

[HelpingHands]

Neodymium magnets are on eBay and there should be you tube videos that show you how to slide them down coins and bars at an angle.

Don't keep them in your pocket next to your phone or bank cards.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=neodymium%20magnets%20silver%20test&rt=nc&LH_PrefLoc=1&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

That said, if I buy recent coins from a well known dealer I am unlikely to test them.

[StackerJack]

Thank You Helping Hands.

[HelpingHands]

It looks like you get two sizes on this one.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-Coin-Neodymium-Rare-Earth-Testing-Magnet-8-10mm-x-1mm-Silver-Gold-testing-/221990996341?hash=item33afb1c975:g:4ooAAOSwd4tUFvKd

You may go out one day to find the postman is stuck to the letterbox.

[StackerJack]

Thank You Helping Hands. Lol. 

 

[4Nines7Hills]

I got my calipers and magnet from ebay 

 

A good way to test if  silver ( or any metal is real)  is to use the specific gravity test   which is quite simple if you have scales, a bowl of water, a little cotton thread  and if your maths his like mine a calculator 

[StackerJack]

4 Nines, Have you got a link for the calipers Thank You The later sounds like an experimental science test lol. 

[4Nines7Hills]

15 minutes ago, StackerJack said:

4 Nines, Have you got a link for the calipers Thank You The later sounds like an experimental science test lol. 

He doesnt appear to have anymore calipers sorry .

It may sound like an experiment but it quite easy and  IMO its a lot more accurate that the magnet 

 

 

[Pete]

Testing silver coins - size, weight and ( specific gravity if necessary ).

Bars and other stuff - more difficult but specific gravity would take care of odd shapes for sure.

Acid tests can stain damage the surface permanently and may only test the outside so if thick plated you could be fooled.

Ping test ( acoustic resonances ) coins also works if you can locate the relevant dominant frequencies on the web.

If in doubt don't buy it and get some genuine items first for comparison from reputable sources.

[Bumble]

If you are buying the most common 1 oz coins (e.g. eagles, maples, britannias, kangaroos, pandas, etc.) then you can perform the acoustic test using an app such as Bullion Test. This is available for Android phones and costs about $4. You just ping the coin and let the app listen to the ring, and it tells you whether it is genuine: it is one of the most sensitive tests going. It won't help with bars.

[StackemHigh]

Vernier calipers can be bought from screwfix or similar diy shops. 

[garthy]

11 hours ago, Bumble said:

If you are buying the most common 1 oz coins (e.g. eagles, maples, britannias, kangaroos, pandas, etc.) then you can perform the acoustic test using an app such as Bullion Test. This is available for Android phones and costs about $4. You just ping the coin and let the app listen to the ring, and it tells you whether it is genuine: it is one of the most sensitive tests going. It won't help with bars.

I did a video on that a little while back.

 

 

[StackerJack]

4Nines, Pete, Bumble, StackemHigh and Garthy, Thank You all, there is a lot of excellent advice here.

[mrwebb697]

Ive always done the "ping" test,(not on proofs by the way)if it rings like a church bell,then its good enough.

the old way hasn't let me down yet

 

[sovereignsteve]

Great vid @garthy thanks.

[garthy]

2 hours ago, sovereignsteve said:

Great vid @garthy thanks.

Cheers Steve, much appreciated.

[Cointreau]

On 23/01/2016 at 11:09, garthy said:

I did a video on that a little while back.

 

 

Garthy, That sounds like an authentic London accent to me.

[garthy]

7 hours ago, Cointreau said:

Garthy, That sounds like an authentic London accent to me.

It is Cointreau, grew up in Victoria but have since moved to Essex due to stupid house prices, the cheapest 2 bed flat there now will set you back 700,000, the only people that can afford it are the very rich or the very lazy, I missed it at first but it's good to be out, still work there though.