Many metals double o approximating they are false of silver on the contrary, really, end not include any silver at all. In the marketplace, dishonest or uninformed humanity one's damndest to pawn off jewellery and other items as sterling, when the items are actually false of design metals and are polished to resemble silver or are electroplated with sterling silver (which Testament eventually wear off whether the lot is worn usually Sufficiently). Sterling silver is 92.5 percent silver and and 7.5 percent copper, and this is why U.S. edict mandates that sterling silver be stamped ".925" somewhere on the part. Owing to not Each follows laws, there are a meagre ways to declare whether what you accept is in truth sterling silver or not.
Instructions
1. See the collection of jewellery closely using a magnifying instrument (jeweller's loupe or other magnifying glass). Stare at the clasp. A small ".925" or "S.S." indicates that the abundance is sterling silver. (A ".999" tells that the target is of pleasant silver--more silver content that sterling, and ".900" way it is mythical of coin silver--less silver content that sterling.) Unscrupulous dealers may attach a sterling clasp to a cheap design metal chain and essay to convince buyers that the full chain is sterling. Cast carefully to inspect that the clasp and chain both come out to be the equivalent colour and keep the alike measure of tarnish. Also, most good sterling chains will have soldered links.
2. Look carefully at the pendant. It, too, should be marked with a tiny ".925" or "S.S." if it is made of sterling silver. This mark is usually on the bail of the pendant. If you see the letters "S.P.," they mean "silverplate" which is NOT sterling silver. When a base metal item is put into a solution containing silver and an electric current is run through the solution, a thin coating of silver adheres to the item, and it is called "silverplate."
3. If there is no ".925" or "S.S." on the piece, you may test it with nitric acid. In an inconspicuous place on the item, lightly scratch or scuff a small spot and apply a tiny drop of nitric acid to the spot. Sterling silver will not stick to a magnet, but just because the piece does not stick does not mean that it is sterling silver. Therefore, use this only as a secondary test.5. Local jewelers and pawn shops can test items for you, too. You can also purchase testing kits from jeweler, lapidary or rockhound supply stores. When testing items you suspect may be silverplated, use a small file to chop through any plating or lacquer in a discreet area on the item. If you see a gold color, you can assume it is brass that has been silverplated.
4. Another test is to use a magnet. Silverplated brass, nickel silver or low quality silver alloys will turn green when a drop of nitric acid is applied because of the high copper content. Sterling will turn a creamy color. If it turns black, it is coin silver.
