Is this Silver? Tips on Acid Testing.

[Bigcypresshunter]

There seems to be some confusion for those inexperienced with acid testing silver and other metals. This is understandable. You also need to be able to distinguish between amber and red. Basically if its not red, its not silver.

I found this link online and I wanted to share. Study it because it has a lot of useful information. I don't know if this is the proper forum but it seems this is where it will do the most good. Only silver will make a drop of acid turn red and for those that are color blind or have trouble distinguishing colors, red is the really deep tone, amber is a clear translucent-golden tone.

How to test platinum, palladium, steel, white gold

 

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[Tedyoh]

Yes, right, best bet is to get off shore and look for real treasure. Say GIB's big silver blob is truly solid silver, why would anyone melt that much at once? It had to have been ancient indian jewelry, why would they or anyone melt it?

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

Say GIB's big silver blob is truly solid silver, why would anyone melt that much at once? It had to have been ancient indian jewelry, why would they or anyone melt it?

Florida Indians attempted to melt Spanish gold and silver to rework it into something else. However its extremely rare to find this.

Members need to learn to test their fire nuggetts because there is way too much speculation. This is the reason for this thread.

 

[Nitric]

I guess I get it but go buy some Eagles....you KNOW what you are getting / have?

Yes, But what about testing flea market or garage sale treasure! Say you find a big box of necklaces or silver eagles and want to know if they are real?

 

[Tedyoh]

Yes, But what about testing flea market or garage sale treasure! Say you find a big box of necklaces or silver eagles and want to know if they are real?

Flea market Garage sale treasures......999 times out of 1,000.....guess what?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Flea market Garage sale treasures......999 times out of 1,000.....guess what?

Not true. I make a living off of Garage Sales, Flea Markets and Goodwill Stores. There are amazing treasures to be found if you know what to look for.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I guess I get it but go buy some Eagles....you KNOW what you are getting / have?

Because what we find with our MDs is all free. Thats the fun of it. You never know when you're gonna hit paydirt.

 

[Crispin]

Plus 9,999 times out of 10,000 its beach aluminum, and for argument say your little blob is silver, so what? Enjoy your $1.00 in silver for the $25 test kit?

You think that 25 bucks is bad? I spent 40 bucks on a test kit, 60 bucks on acid dropper bottles, and 90 bucks on a bottle of nitric acid. The stuff I am finding weighs a fraction of an ounce. I don't even think I could sell it if I wanted to.

Here is something crazier. I am an employed physician. When I get a morning off I get up at 5am, drive 1.5 hours to the beach, hunt for 3-4 hours, and then turn around and drive back. If I were to work that morning I could drive 15minutes to work and easily clear 1 grand.

Never sold anything I have found. I never intend to sell anything I find. Why do I do it?

 

[Crispin]

My point exactly. 9,999 times out of 10,000 they are beach aluminum but we have some beginners here that do not know this and think that they have found Spanish treasure or Native American artifacts. I am only trying to help these people.

We know that ancient Indians in Florida melted Spanish Reales but its extremely hard , if not impossible, to prove that melted silver blobs, with no visible markings, found in the shifting sands, are artifacts. So yes you are correct. All you basically have is a few bucks of scrap silver.

In order to help somebody...they have to want your help...

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

My point exactly. 9,999 times out of 10,000 they are beach aluminum but we have some beginners here that do not know this and think that they have found Spanish treasure or Native American artifacts. I am only trying to help these people.

We know that ancient Indians in Florida melted Spanish Reales but its extremely hard , if not impossible, to prove that melted silver blobs, with no visible markings, found in the shifting sands, are artifacts. So yes you are correct. All you basically have is a few bucks of scrap silver.

BigC, please do not start this up again, there is no need for it...

 

[G.I.B.]

Why do I do it?

Because you enjoy my stellar good looks and engaging personality.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

BigC, please do not start this up again, there is no need for it...

Im done. I dont care anymore.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

In order to help somebody...they have to want your help...

No problem. I sometimes get involved with the identification process that I get carried away trying to make the correct iD because thats the way it was always done here. Silver testing I know but Platinum I dont. I thought sharing my knowledge of silver testing would help the apparent confusion. I hope that you discover the source of your Platinum pieces. Waves will pick up thin pieces of metal and toss them on the beach. I had never heard about finding Platinum this way before but thats what we are here to learn and maybe I learned something. Im done.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

BigC, please do not start this up again, there is no need for it...

I just want to add TH that members are going to continue to post melted blobs of metal of unknown origin. There is nothing I can do to stop that.

I think the information I discovered and posted about the test kits should be helpful to anyone trying to test silver. And that cant be all bad. Delete the thread if you wish.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I just want to add TH that members are going to continue to post melted blobs of metal of unknown origin. There is nothing I can do to stop that.

I think the information I discovered and posted about the test kits should be helpful to anyone trying to test silver. And that cant be all bad. Delete the thread if you wish.

This part is what I'm referring to and was not needed in your post. ( "but we have some beginners here that do not know this and think that they have found Spanish treasure or Native American artifacts.")

My point exactly. 9,999 times out of 10,000 they are beach aluminum but we have some beginners here that do not know this and think that they have found Spanish treasure or Native American artifacts. I am only trying to help these people.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

This part is what I'm referring to and was not needed in your post. ( "but we have some beginners here that do not know this and think that they have found Spanish treasure or Native American artifacts.")

I was responding to Tedyoh's question:

"...lately this has been a hot topic, what in the world are you guys finding that warrants this type of testing?"

But I know what you mean TH and I will stop. But why is referring to a new member or someone relatively new to the hobby as a beginner a problem? I didnt mention any names and Im not referring to one person. There are many beginners that have been posting fire nuggets here since the site began thinking that they found treasure. How is that my fault? And its OK for me to be called names and threatened online for insisting on the correct ID because someone doesnt want to hear my opinion? (which very well may be the truth)

I realize you are trying to prevent bickering. I understand this. But why am I the bad guy for trying to make the correct ID? In the past it was always important to get the correct ID here and the consensus is usually correct in the end.

 

[G.I.B.]

I just want to add TH that members are going to continue to post melted blobs of metal of unknown origin. There is nothing I can do to stop that.

Why is it necessary to stop someone from posting their find of an unknown metallic blob?

People have questions, they get excited, they would like some positive interaction, particularly during the learning curve. People want to become part of the community and interact with others, in a positive light, and why not start with a blob?

Not get run off because they are excited about a fire nugget.

I get really excited over an early '63 pull tab. Makes KG jealous of my swinging tree acrobatics...

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Why is it necessary to stop someone from posting their find of an unknown metallic blob?

People have questions, they get excited, they would like some positive interaction, particularly during the learning curve. People want to become part of the community and interact with others, in a positive light, and why not start with a blob?

Not get run off because they are excited about a fire nugget.

I get really excited over an early '63 pull tab. Makes KG jealous of my swinging tree acrobatics...

Its not necessary to stop anyone from posting fire nuggets or unknown metallic blobs. You are misunderstanding me. I agree with everything you say and I think I have always agreed with what you say GIB. I have been doing my best to help with the identification process but I am getting signs that my help is not wanted. I have even been threatened. Why blame me? Don't shoot the messenger.

I am trying to say that its not my fault if members keep posting unknown metallic blobs and this creates controversy. You can post pull tabs if you want and I will keep insisting they are aluminum 99.9 percent of the time. It is what it is. Making a correct ID does not equate to running somebody off.

ADDED: I say 99.9% of the time because you can never say never. Its not impossible that someone found a silver or gold pull tab but that still doesnt proove it to be an ancient artifact. Do you understand what Im trying to say?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I dont want to post about this subject anymore but I will answer any questions. TH doesnt want this bickering started up again. And TH is the boss.