What is Silver:
a precious shiny grayish-white metal, the chemical element of atomic number 47 on the periodic table.
Fine Silver is 999.9 part out of a thousand pure silver, and it is also much softer and more resistant to tarnish than sterling silver.
101-Silver/Sterling Silver
What is sterling Silver:
Sterling silver is 925 parts out of a thousand pure silver and 75 parts copper.
How to test if the metal is silver:
There are several ways to check for silver.
1. The silver may be stamped with 925 900 800 all which indicates the percentage of fine silver. 925 is 92.5% silver, 900 is 90% silver and 800 is 80% silver.
2. Use a strong magnet to check if there is attraction. If the magnet sticks to it then it is metal and not silver. However keep in mind that there are other metals that are made to look like silver and do not stick to magnet. So do not only depend on magnet test but use it with another test.
3. Silver is an excellent conductor of heat. Therefore you can place an Ice cube on a silver plate or coin, and see how fast the ice will melt. You will notice the ice melting immediately as if it has been placed on something hot. Try the same test a metal spoon and you will notice it will take longer. However, this test is easier on silver coins or bars than on jewelry.
4. Rub a clean, white polishing cloth over a silver piece. Real silver and silver plate will turn the cloth black. silver often does tarnish. It can gain a dirty dark grey/brown patina.
These are some methods for testing and there are other method using chemicals as well.
a precious shiny grayish-white metal, the chemical element of atomic number 47 on the periodic table.
Fine Silver is 999.9 part out of a thousand pure silver, and it is also much softer and more resistant to tarnish than sterling silver.
101-Silver/Sterling Silver
What is sterling Silver:
Sterling silver is 925 parts out of a thousand pure silver and 75 parts copper.
How to test if the metal is silver:
There are several ways to check for silver.
1. The silver may be stamped with 925 900 800 all which indicates the percentage of fine silver. 925 is 92.5% silver, 900 is 90% silver and 800 is 80% silver.
2. Use a strong magnet to check if there is attraction. If the magnet sticks to it then it is metal and not silver. However keep in mind that there are other metals that are made to look like silver and do not stick to magnet. So do not only depend on magnet test but use it with another test.
3. Silver is an excellent conductor of heat. Therefore you can place an Ice cube on a silver plate or coin, and see how fast the ice will melt. You will notice the ice melting immediately as if it has been placed on something hot. Try the same test a metal spoon and you will notice it will take longer. However, this test is easier on silver coins or bars than on jewelry.
4. Rub a clean, white polishing cloth over a silver piece. Real silver and silver plate will turn the cloth black. silver often does tarnish. It can gain a dirty dark grey/brown patina.
These are some methods for testing and there are other method using chemicals as well.
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