Silver What is it?

[IronSpike]

My friend found this unusual piece of silver (It weighs 2.2 oz).

Looks like silver to me The test kit is in route.

IMO a very unusual piece. Could it have been spills from silver smiting? Maybe looted silver melted down for easier carry/transport?

Then again I have a good imagination and can see all sorts of design in the piece

What's your thought?

 

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[IronSpike]

Does silver slag have this color? Or is slag a reference to spills from melting?

 

[searcher]

Looks like aluminum to me.

We used to melt soda cans in camp fires and get things that look like this.

Silver does not stay shiny since the industrial age.

Searcher

H.H.

 

[IronSpike]

It's silver. Will post pics of the testing once the test kit arrives.

 

[searcher]

That's awesome if it is silver!

Eager to hear about the test results.

Searcher
H.H.

 

[IronSpike]

It's not aluminum. How many cans would it take to make 2.2 oz?

Silver will come out of the ground just as shinny as when it was dropped. Salt water will tarnish it black.

Anyway, the test kit should arrive soon and as mentioned will post pics of the testing.

 

[searcher]

What makes you so certain that it is silver?

Silver tarnishes in or out of the ground. Unless it was buried before the early 1800s.

I'm still thinking aluminium(as the English would say).

Searcher
H.H.

 

[IronSpike]

It's non magnetic. It's weight for the size 2.2 oz (look at the dime for reference). No tarnish on the piece. Aluminum is much lighter and doesn't have a shinny look once it's been in the ground (more grayish/white). Well even the sound test makes a nice clingy sound.

Silver does tarnish in or out of the ground. High silver content items like silver coins/jewelry comes out of the ground just as shinny as they were when dropped say 100 years ago.

Guess only one more test is needed (will be posted ASAP). Maybe we should have waited posting until after that test as more interested in knowing what it is rather than whether it's silver

Don't get me wrong it's good to be sceptical and ask questions

 

[searcher]

I was curious so I weighed some cans.
6 aluminum cans are 2.25 ounces.

This includes the pull tabs for all who were wondering.

I do hope this is silver, but I'm a pessimist at heart.

Searcher
H.H.

 

[IronSpike]

It's my friend's find. Guess I'm the one that need the crossed fingers that it's indeed silver (otherwise I may have to eat crow)

Holding the piece in hand makes you think lead due to weight, but you quickly change to silver based look and density.

 

[Silver Searcher]

Pour some demestos on (bleach) just on a small part, should turn black if it's Silver

 

[Monty]

What they said, slag. Monty

 

[savant365]

What ever it is it sure is shiney. Do you know where your friend found it? It looks like it has been melted, it could very easily have been a ring or a necklace that was in a fire. If it WAS a piece of jewelry I guess it could also be white gold or platinum. Can't wait to see what the test says it is.

HH Charlie

 

[IronSpike]

Pour some demestos on (bleach) just on a small part, should turn black if it's Silver

Thanks for the tip

What they said, slag. Monty

What exactly is slag?

What ever it is it sure is shiney. Do you know where your friend found it? It looks like it has been melted, it could very easily have been a ring or a necklace that was in a fire. If it WAS a piece of jewelry I guess it could also be white gold or platinum. Can't wait to see what the test says it is.

HH Charlie

He found it in the woods right next to his home. It had the red NC clay on it when he first showed it to me, but no tarnish at all.

Yesterday ordered the gold/silver test kit from Tnet sponsor Kellyco. Hopefully it will arrive tomorrow. If not we'll try some bleach.

 

[IronSpike]

slag is the molten metal that spills and doesn't make it into the mold.

Thanks texastee2007

 

[NGE]

I always was told that slag are the impurities that float to the top while smelting, and had to either be scooped off or poured off. What you are describing is an "OOPS" I poured too much in the mold . When I used to melt all different kinds of lead scrap, I would have to remove the impurities that floated to the top and I always called it " SLAG " .......NGE

 

[searcher]

Slag
Quote--"By-product formed in smelting, welding, and other metallurgical and combustion processes from impurities in the metals or ores being treated. Slag consists mostly of mixed oxides of elements such as silicon, sulfur, phosphorus, and aluminum; ash; and products formed in their reactions with furnace linings and fluxing substances such as limestone. Slag floats on the surface of the molten metal, protecting it from oxidation by the atmosphere and keeping it clean."

 

[IronSpike]

The piece doesn't look impure. Test kit was shipped yesterday from FL. We did pour a little Clorox on it and it did turn black (cool tip).

The 'spilloops' appear to have been formed on the ground (it's not a completely flat bottom).

Pics of the test will be posted (suspect high silver grade).

 

[IronSpike]

It was found in wooded area close to road between two properties. He was searching the area as he had been told by oldtimers that there used be a blacksmith shop long ago. No signs of burnt area/fire where it was found. Several other objects like jar lids, old Ford T car part etc.

 

[savant365]

Well if there was a blacksmith shop there I'll bet there was a fire at some point in time