:usaflag:Unmarked Jewelry Finds!!:detecting:

[Cupajo]

Once in a while I recover a ring etc. with no Hallmark or other identifying marks to allow me to determine what kind of metal they are made of.

If they pass the "magnet test" and the "file test" I know they may be a more precious metal.

I know about acid testing for gold, but how does one test for silver or platinum?

After all these years I should know this, but in asking around I have found I am not alone in my ignorance!

Help!!??

CJ

 

[John(Tx)]

n/t

 

[seeker41]

Once in a while I recover a ring etc. with no Hallmark or other identifying marks to allow me to determine what kind of metal they are made of.

If they pass the "magnet test" and the "file test" I know they may be a more precious metal.

I know about acid testing for gold, but how does one test for silver or platinum?

After all these years I should know this, but in asking around I have found I am not alone in my ignorance!

Help!!??

CJ

here ya go..................http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6Ykg2DA0dQ

 

[gold-digger]

n/t

 

[scubadetector]

n/t

 

[Cupajo]

Many thanks Seeker!!

 

[don digs gold]

We spit on a silver coin inside aluminum foil and slightly rub. If the black tarnish starts to come off and you smell sulfur and the foil heats slightly - you got silver...

 

[Cupajo]

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All right Friends, here is another question;

What is the best way to determine if an un-marked, white metal ring is gold, silver, platinum or stainless steel??

With my recently acquired set of test acids I struck a line on the small black stone and used 18K acid (No reaction!) Platinum Acid (Line disappeared!) 22K acid (Line disappeared!)

The line was still shiny under the 18K acid!

I them used platinum acid to clean the stone (Which it did nicely!)

This has me wondering if I may have an un-marked18K ring or is it possibly stainless steel?

It weighs in at 7.5Grams, but as my ordered measuring rod hasn't arrived yet I don't know what size it is. (It fits snuggly on my little finger thus I consider it a medium sized man's wedding band!)

Help!?

 

[scubadetector]

My boss who runs a pawn shop did an acid test on a necklace and it tested gold. I looked at it and with the loop I found where it was marked stainless steel. He lost 125.00 on that transaction!! Stainless scratches on the stone by pressing hard on it. Gold which is a lot softer is easier to mark the stone with. Hope this helps

 

[Cupajo]

The ring marks easily enough, but when I compared it with 18K and 14K rings I detected that the unmarked ring "feels" harder with less "drag" on the stone.

The gold rings feel "softer"!

Thanks for tour reply SD!