Anyone recommend a silver testing kit?

[Earthmetal]

I don't own a chemical based silver testing kit. I'd like to rectify that. Apparently some are rubbish though.

[James32]

@stefffana will be able to help

[stefffana]

To test the silver, I am using two type of acids for 100% accuracy.

1. Potassium dichromate diluted with acid nitric and distilled water. Easy to use, very accurate. Apply a tiny drop on a non easy visible silver surface. The colour will be blood red for pure silver, gradually going from red to brown for lower purities. If it is no silver, will be instantly green, blue, yellow, depending of what base metals are. Very good and cheap on Ebay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293881710525?hash=item446cb707bd:g:h6oAAOSwg4JhBw3q&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4GgFBlp0BFRBpWM8HVDX%2FlVS5U5dOHt8mxTAGVYmKKbEKm7%2FsFX%2B6d%2BhDHRDREzzuLUlgO%2BVIl7iI8LwlnJQ6N2frKSZeJSO9MfsKnPaS4pFlIOfwU%2F%2B8GD4JLAuqWc%2Fd8KdRZsCcClJdL%2BnbYe1eU%2Bab%2BT2V6xmiX03SGFAKFd06nlFBJliodyzRp4%2BII4P4b4%2B8HLZgHqYhU1F7S970DNQ%2Fp16Zl2MBEqV5hknfPqsPkPh36w%2F5EesFTU8ZVdSWMUrOcMZBl2MhCtoMNFb3FS4GcIaRE1qNeoCd056gYUh|tkp%3ABFBM1t7PpKZj.

 

2. When I still have doubts, (i.e. I suspect being thicker quality silver plated /coated items, I use nitric acid for 9ct gold. One tiny drop will show instantly a white/creamy stain. I wait 2-3 minutes. If it is not solid silver, will penetrate the silver coat and will start boiling yellow/green/blue the base metals.

[Earthmetal]

2 minutes ago, stefffana said:

To test the silver, I am using two type of acids for 100% accuracy.

1. Potassium dichromate diluted with acid nitric and distilled water. Easy to use, very accurate. Apply a tiny drop on a non easy visible silver surface. The colour will be blood red for pure silver, gradually going from red to brown for lower purities. If it is no silver, will be instantly green, blue, yellow, depending of what base metals are. Very good and cheap on Ebay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293881710525?hash=item446cb707bd:g:h6oAAOSwg4JhBw3q&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4GgFBlp0BFRBpWM8HVDX%2FlVS5U5dOHt8mxTAGVYmKKbEKm7%2FsFX%2B6d%2BhDHRDREzzuLUlgO%2BVIl7iI8LwlnJQ6N2frKSZeJSO9MfsKnPaS4pFlIOfwU%2F%2B8GD4JLAuqWc%2Fd8KdRZsCcClJdL%2BnbYe1eU%2Bab%2BT2V6xmiX03SGFAKFd06nlFBJliodyzRp4%2BII4P4b4%2B8HLZgHqYhU1F7S970DNQ%2Fp16Zl2MBEqV5hknfPqsPkPh36w%2F5EesFTU8ZVdSWMUrOcMZBl2MhCtoMNFb3FS4GcIaRE1qNeoCd056gYUh|tkp%3ABFBM1t7PpKZj.

 

2. When I still have doubts, (i.e. I suspect being thicker quality silver plated /coated items, I use nitric acid for 9ct gold. One tiny drop will show instantly a white/creamy stain. I wait 2-3 minutes. If it is not solid silver, will penetrate the silver coat and will start boiling yellow/green/blue the base metals.

Thanks very much, so I don't need one of those kits with five different bottles and a black stone?

[stefffana]

Just now, Earthmetal said:

Thanks very much, so I don't need one of those kits with five different bottles and a black stone?

Nope.

Those kits are for testing carat gold.

In those bottles are acids with different dilution for 9ct, 14ct, 18ct, 22ct, 24ct.

The black stone is for scratching the gold item to remain a golden line. On that line a drop of acid will dissolve or not, depending of purity.

[Earthmetal]

Great info thanks, I did see a vid of someone using a black stone to scratch silver against to test if plated.

I'll get a bottle ordered.

[stefffana]

Just now, Earthmetal said:

Great info thanks, I did see a vid of someone using a black stone to scratch silver against to test if plated.

I'll get a bottle ordered.

It was doing wrong in that video. The black stone is only for gold items.😊

If you have doubts about an item (rubbed, odd or not matching hallmarks), use a small file in a hidden area and apply acid. Will show you instantly the truth.

[stefffana]

54 minutes ago, Earthmetal said:

Great info thanks, I did see a vid of someone using a black stone to scratch silver against to test if plated.

I'll get a bottle ordered.

The correct procedure to test silver is on this video, where Mr.. Sreetips is testing a silver coin. Watch from min #5 to min #6 to see a bloody stain.😊