I have a question about silver.

[trump]

I have a lot of charms that I have found over the years and I thought they were silver but I put a magnet to them today and there is a very slight attraction to the magnet, So how do I know what is silver and what is not. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[steve in so la]

A number of metals are not attracted to a magnet. But to really know you need to test them with an acid. I use 'Silver Black'. It's a small bottle of liquid that you put on the item and it turns it black. After drying try to wash it off. If not able to it's silver. It's sold in many jewelry stores.
If the charm has a slight attraction then it probably has a base metal inside. Steve in so az

 

[Joe G]

Just out of curiosity, what's the contents on the bottle say? I take it it's an acid / oxidizer?

 

[steve in so la]

Viola !!


<center><img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d704b3127cce9eeec24c03b000000025118AcuGbZs0asw">

 

[Mike from MI "Iron Brigade"]

He's the man! I also have a test kit!