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Author | Topic: A new paradigm in testing silver |
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() June and I saw this eBay listing describing how they tested for silver..... It was too outrageous & funny to post anywhere but here:
quote: What do you think of this method of testing silver? IP: Logged |
Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Having some extra time, I dipped a silver and a silverplated fork in some warm water. Both were approximately the same size. There was only a slight difference in temperature between the two forks after three or four minutes. And here is another method for testing silver, if you don't care to use warm water... IP: Logged |
wev Moderator Posts: 4121 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I knew a dealer, now retired, who swore he could smell the difference. i never dared test him -- he was known to throw things at people! [This message has been edited by wev (edited 06-30-2001).] IP: Logged |
June Martin Forum Master Posts: 1326 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() We have heard a fair number of folks claim they can smell the difference between sterling and silverplate. Maybe we should sponsor a "Smell Off!" IP: Logged |
Brent Posts: 1507 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() This isn't silver related, but it is equally dumb. On "Collectible Treasures", the HGTV program, they had a "expert" telling the host how to distinguish between old majolica and new majolica. Among other things, she said to note the weight of the piece. Older pieces tend to be heavier, because of the lead in the glaze! I assure you, lead in a pot glaze adds nothing to the weight. The thickness of the body and the type of clay determine the weight. Anyway, so much for expert opinions! IP: Logged |
Fitzhugh Posts: 136 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Sure, you can smell the difference! The odor of the base metal in plated wares has a distinctly different odor compared to solid silver. There's also a taste difference. Yes, when in doubt, I've been known to touch a piece with the tip of my tongue. Strange, perhaps, but generally accurate. IP: Logged |
clark collins Posts: 7 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() This is neat, as an avid metal deceting nut I have always said that I could smell the real gold ...also one should try smelling a real silver quarter from a clad one .....you gotta love this ..I'm in total agreement with the SNIFFERS...lol IP: Logged |
ringboxlady Posts: 95 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I have to agree with the "Sniffers" as well, This is a trick my Meme taught me. There is a distinct differnce when comparing sterling to silver plate. I also helps to be a little "smell" sensitive which she was and I still am. It's another vote for the sniffers. IP: Logged |
Louise Posts: 22 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Hi Everyone, The sniffers defiantley have the advantage. You can really tell the difference in the smell when polishing a piece. I use Hagerty's spray polish, when I polish a piece of silver plate the smell is 3-4 times stronger than sterling. I guess all of the sniffers have fine tuned our noses. IP: Logged |
John McGlynn unregistered |
![]() ![]() ![]() Re: The heat test - it works! Don't pooh-pooh the heat method of telling whether something is sterling or not! Done correctly, this works and is non-destructive to the silver. The original posting did not tell how to do this correctly. BOIL some water. Let it cool a moment. SIMULTANEOUSLY partially submerge (1) the object of unknown silver content (2) a similar object (if the unknown is a teaspoon, use a teaspoon, a fork, use a fork, etc.)known to be sterling. Set a timer for 45 seconds. At 45 seconds, feel the unsubmerged ends. You can compare the feeling of heat you get between the sterling and your unknown. Sterling heats up fast - it's a good conductor - plate and stainless, much less fast! Try it! It works! pljohn@aol.com IP: Logged |
Anuh Posts: 190 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() quote: I swear Sterling FEELS different. But I can also smell the tarnish on silver and often find sterling goodies in the bottom of a pan of stainless. Of course, I also find any silverplated pieces there. The smell of tarnish is quite distinctive. ------------------ IP: Logged |
Marc Posts: 414 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Hi there everybody, I cannot wait till a silver expert on the "Road Show", sniffs a piece of silver or tastes it on camera. Will it then become the "in" thing to do? As well known, those of us who have been in the business forever, find that a hard burr on the end of a dremmel tool will go right through silver much faster then it will through silver plate. The real test is 9 or 10 drops of a nitric acid and Potassium Iodide solution placed around the hole and allowed to remain for 1 minute. If the solution turns brite red, the piece is usually silver. The reality of it is that this is how some folks used to (and still do) test silver, so when you find that Asa Blanchard beaker with a dime sized silver patch inside and out, you will know what happened. Thanks. IP: Logged |
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