[Deteknix Quest] Cheap and free ways to determine if your finds are real Gold/Silver!

[Skippy SH13]

How to determine if your finds are real Gold/Silver - Updated!

EDIT: No longer maintaining this post.

 

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[pgfhgs]

I already get enough weird looks and now you want me to spit in foil and carry make-up. ...............

 

[cudamark]

I already get enough weird looks and now you want me to spit in foil and carry make-up. ...............

And smelling like rotten eggs isn't going to help my image either!

 

[flyadive]

Selsun blue for silver also does something ?

 

[T.C.]

Put an ice cube on the silver and watch it melt!! I tried the spit test and it didn't work...

 

[T.C.]

I ordered a tester kit from ebay....it's on the way!! It was only $13 and some change....free shipping I'll give the "ol' spit" test another try.

 

[Bquamb]

Bahahh Skippy, You stole my post - Guess ill have to say --- What he said. :P

 

[T.C.]

....finally took my piece into the jewelers....Pewter!!

 

[T.C.]

That's a bummer. I didn't think to include the pewter test (vs. Silver). I'll add it in above, but if you want to check for pewter, run it across a white piece of paper. It'll leave a grey streak.. Silver won't do that.

Sorry to hear, but there you go. And see! The spit test did work!

Just did the paper test.....didn't work

 

[T.C.]

As noted: "Not all pewter makes the mark (Pewter isn't a fixed alloy combination), but most do. It helps rule out those that are definitely pewter. "

Essentially, sir, your pewter is made without lead.

I still like the test, because of the "negative" aspect. Kind of like if a magnet sticks, it ain't silver... It doesn't mean if the magnet doesn't stick it IS Silver... it's just one good test.

In this case, if you can draw like you're playing with an Etch-a-Sketch, you don't have silver! I use this in the thrift stores to check things like cups, bowls, and candlesticks (and some decorations), because spitting on a product and wrapping it in aluminum foil is generally frowned upon!

Bummer that it didn't work out that it was a chunk of silver, but like most experiences in life, hopefully, it was a memorable bit of fun (Tragedy + Time = Humor). Hopefully, you can look back on this and get a good chuckle.

Sir?? C'mon Skippy, that's for 'ol farts!! Also, thanks for the schooling.....sir

 

[T.C.]

Forever young....that's the way to be.

 

[ChampFerguson/TN]

Sorry to be picky, but silver is diamagnetic, not dimagnetic.
You can often hold the silver item in your hand and feel the repulsion on the neo magnet if the magnet is strong enough.

 

[deteknix]

Hi Skippy SH13. Thanks for your attending the contest. We will sent out the XPointer Diver.

 

[BigWaveDave]

Congratulations Skippy...you had a great post...you deserve it!

 

[QMaze]

Thanks BigWaveDave! I get to join the winners of contests! Woot! Woot! Is there a special golden doored bathroom I get to use?

Have you had a chance to use your Detector, yet?

Congrats Skippy.

I don't think hes received anything yet from Deteknix, from what I read, I could be wrong.

 

[BigWaveDave]

Should be any day now...good thing too, my AT Pro is getting wore out this week!

 

[SeabeeRon]

You guys let us know when you get your machines!

 

[Truth]

I have never learned so much in my life!! Thank you all )


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LawrencetheMDer]

OK... so this one is too complicated for the main post, but if you're interested in how to measure the density of jewelry to determine if it's "legitimate" gold... here's the equations
First off, remember that: Density = mass/volume . In this case, we're going to measure volume as "displaced" volume (drop in a vial of liquid and measure the rise. To do this, obviously, you need some sort of measuring device, or graduated cylinder. Unlikely many of us have these laying around, BUT, you might have a small medicine cup that will do the trick!

After you calculate the mass/volume, a result close to 19 g/ml indicates either real gold, or at least is constructed of a material similar in density to gold.

An example:

Your gold item weighs 19 g and it displaces 1 milliliter of water. Using the formula of [mass (19 g)]/[volume displacement (1 ml)], your result would be 19 g/ml, which is very close to the density of gold.
Bear in mind that different gold purity will have a different g/ml ratio:
14K – 12.9 to 14.6 g/ml
18K yellow – 15.2 to 15.9 g/ml
18K white – 14.7 to 16.9 g/ml
22K – 17.7 to 17.8 g/ml

Hope this helps if you get in a bind and need to test density!

Skippy

I think I'll buy an acid tester.