Is Your Silver Authentic? 5 Tests to Tell Original Silver Apart
Loving your Silver jewellery or Silverware is one thing; maintaining it is another.
Whatever the case, you pride yourself on your prized possessions.
But what if you find out that they’ve been fake all along?
No matter whether you purchase Sterling Silver from a trusted place or online, you’ll always doubt if it’s original.
After Gold and Platinum, SIlver is one of the most sought-after precious metals. Many of us are familiar with it’s basic characteristics, its shine, and its soothing properties.
Yet, what you think of as a precious piece can be a clever imitation. Some articles can be made to look like the original Silver, even if they’re not.
In that case, you’d need to check on your own and be assured of your investment. In this blog, we’ll walk you through some steps on how to tell the original Silver apart.
How to Tell if an Item is Made of Silver: The Challenges
Source: Gencraft
Silver or clickbait: as long as you rely on your senses of touch and sight, you’ll never know.
Gifting silver is also not uncommon. Many times, we may receive Silver gifts, and it may put us in doubt if the gift is actually Silver.
With Silver’s soaring demand and ever-rising prices, the market is flooded with decoys claiming to be Silver. Sometimes, you can also find jewellery such asSterling Silver Rings at flea markets, selling at unbelievable prices, only to leave you wondering if it’s original or not.
Many silver-like materials and imitations make it harder for unsuspecting customers to make the right choice, and sometimes you can also miss a good deal.
Sometimes, there’s also an ambiguity if the article you have is either Silver-plated or Sterling Silver itself. This is why understanding the methods for testing silver’s authenticity becomes crucial.
Testing Time: Is your Silver Real or Fake
Source: Gencraft
It’s always better to know for yourself whether the piece you are holding is real silver or a convincing fake.
Keep in mind that there are some tests that you can’t do unless you own the item, and you don’t want to risk ruining your Sterling Silver Earrings or other items if you intend to get more value out of them.
Here are some of the ways you can tell if an item is made from real silver.
1. The Magnetic Effect
Usually, Iron, Cobalt, Nickel or any metal for that matter, is attracted to magnets. Well, “any” metal but precious metals like Gold, Copper & Sterling Silver.
This may be a disadvantage if you lose your Silver Ring in a 9ft deep pool and get a magnet to retrieve it, but that isn’t the case.
Thus, the sign of your favouriteSterling Silver chainnot moving an inch with a strong magnet around it is the one you should hope for!
2. The Odor Test
Because sterling silver is odorless, you can smell the object in question. Is there a distinct odor? If you can smell sulphur or a strong metallic odor, it is not sterling silver.
The object may be silver-plated, but the aroma suggests that it is not totally made of sterling silver. This is an excellent test for those of us who have a keen sense of smell.
3. Polish Time
Regular polishing of silver is required. After checking for stamps and markings and using the magnet trick, pull out the soft white cloth you brought with you. Silver oxidizes and tarnishes as well.
As if polishing, rub the tarnished item. If there is no black residue on your fabric, it is not silver. The polishing of the silver object is an excellent sign of its genuineness. The presence of rust or a lack of oxidation suggests that the object is not made of silver.
4. Flaking
Some articles like Sterling Silver Necklaces & Pendantsmay be silver-plated, which implies they have a layer of genuine silver on top of them. Is there flaking that reveals a different metal underneath? Is it possible to scrape it with your fingernail and reveal another substance beneath it?
The item is silver-plated but not genuine silver. You can also dissolve some of the flakes in acid. If the acid is pure silver, its hue should remain constant. Of course, this is not a test that you can perform while shopping, so only perform this test on items that you own.
5. The Ice Test
To do this test, you will need to grab some ice. Then, prepare to place a cube of ice on top of the silver object. The reason behind doing this is that Silver has the highest thermal conductivity of any commonly used metal or alloy.
Even at room temperature, genuine silver products will melt the ice at an alarming rate. If it melts quickly, there’s no doubt it’s silver. It’s a simple, cunning little method that may tell you whether you’re dealing with genuine sterling silver or just a convincing deception.
Sterling Silver Vs Fake Silver: Identify the Real one with These Tips
Among many other properties of Silver, tarnishing remains a widely acknowledged one. In an effort to identify the beautiful Sterling Silver Necklaces, earrings or any other item that you’re holding, you wouldn’t want to sacrifice your piece to tarnishing. This is why, the methods mentioned above are safe to try and wouldn’t damage your Silver article while identifying it’s genuineness.
At Stonex Jewellers, our Sterling Silver Jewellery is made with 925 Hallmarked Silver and doesn’t tarnish easily. Whether you wear it for a tasteful Gala or an adventurous trip, our Silver shines bright every day!
Karsha has been a writer for over 10 years and has been writing for Stonex Jewellers for more than two years where she has gained insights on how to capture the essence of the jewellery industry. She comes from a versatile background, having written for fashion & lifestyle beats and covering the trends of the market. Graduated from the domain of Journalism & Mass Communication — she knows how to depict the cultural and emotional significance of who styles what & when.
