Question on 12-18 reading

[diggervance]

Hey Guys,

Found what looks to be a silver earring today. The reading came in at a 12-18 tone of a nickel at 5 to 6 inches. It hit at 12-18 and stuck there and never wavered. The marking seems to be worn off and it looks to be silver all the way through. I understand it might be white gold but would something that small ring in at a 18? weighs 1 gram Could silver ring in at that tone and those numbers?

Thanks for the help
Diggervance

 

[utmike]

Could be either. I've had oddball small silver hollow earrings ring that low. On the flipside, white gold could easily be in that range. A test kit is the only way I can think of to settle the question. Could prove a valuable learning experience. Let us know if you find out!

 

[ChicagoJohn]

Interesting! Try air test to see what id target said? Sometime little different in ground because of other metal like pull tabs. High trash park in Chicago that I found old coins is not accurate but pretty close enough because of junk item so close to coin.

 

[ironsight]

eTRACs sometime struggle with small hoop type earrings that are split open. Looking at the pic, it might be an electrically closed 'ring' only IF the clasp makes a good electrical contact forming essentially a ring. If the clasp, very likely, is not making a good electrical connection, the ID could be all over the map.

Could very well be white gold, maybe even silver. Are you sure its not made out of aluminum?
I have no idea what a 1 gram weight feels like in the hand. But if i were to bounce that thing in my hand i could tell instantly if were aluminum or precious metal.

You might try putting that earring under a magnifying glass or microscope even though the writing appears rubbed off. I've found rings which appeared to have no writing on the inner band but when put under a strong magnifying glass with a lot of light there it was a faint barely legible 'sterling', 925 etc.

 

[diggervance]

O.k. here are the results

The ring is silver.
I bench tested the ring last night and it rang in at 12-13 with the nickel tone.

Had it tested today and sure as heck its silver. This sure has been an eye opening experience.

Diggervance

 

[ajaj]

Yup, I found almost the identical earring earlier this year with my AT Pro; it rang in like a nickel. Got home and put it under the eTrac and, although the exact numbers elude me, I remember it rang in like a nickel also. It tested positive for silver. Agreed, it was a mind opening experience.

aj