how do I figure out what this is made of

[cjpoole]

Hey all, I found this the other day at an old fishing hole. I was wondering if anyone could tell me how to figure out what it's made of.



Sorry about the dirty hands...

 

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[AU_Solitude]

I'm no pro but looks like Sterling. Do a specific gravity test if you have a graduated cylinder and scale.

 

[cjpoole]

I don't have those, thank you though. I took it to a jeweler and he didn't really help. He said he thought it was silver plated. No test, just a glance. I don't think it's plated because there are scratches on it and the inside seems to be the same metal. I think it may be pewter. Is this a possibility?

 

[AU_Solitude]

It's possible, if you asked a jeweler they have a lot of experience and a glance is often all it takes. If there are no markings on it, chances are it may be a silver plated charm or pendent - or just pewter. (Quality jewelry will almost always have a mark of some sort with all higher end jewelry bearing a hallmark)

 

[cjpoole]

Thanks.

 

[wingmaster]

Usually the plated stuff will have bubbles under the silver at least if its been in the ground a while where the other metal under it is starting to corrode, I bet its sterling though as it looks to be off of a charm bracelet. Some of the older stuff isn't marked, I found a bracelet once that was pretty old and most of the charms were marked but a couple wasn't. Some of the links were plated and most of the plating was gone and the metal underneath was corroded pretty bad but the unmarked charms were bright and shiny like yours. HH

 

[wvplug]

Assuming you've determined it is not magnetic? I guess an acid test would be the first place to start.

 

[cjpoole]

You are correct. It is not magnetic. I think I'll take it to a different jeweler and see if they will do an acid test for me.

 

[wvplug]

Another possibility: It could be the purse of a doll. If so it could be aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

 

[cjpoole]

I hadn't even thought about that. The pond where I found it is on an old plantation. So that is a possibility.

 

[cudamark]

You can buy an acid kit on E-bay pretty inexpensively. That way you can test future finds.

 

[voodoo]

wvplug: love the statement at the bottom of your post I actually laughed out loud. good one.

 

[wvplug]

wvplug: love the statement at the bottom of your post I actually laughed out loud. good one.

Thanks! Unfortunately I was limited to 500 characters.