Silver is a chemical element with an atomic number 47 and the symbol Ag.
It is a white and lustrous metal that has thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, and reflectivity. When you adorn silver on your neck, hands, or ankle it adds to your beauty.
Silver is also light and durable.
That makes it an ideal choice for jewelry.
However, how do you tell whether the sterling silver earrings in your jewelry box are fake?
In this article, we provide you with four ways to determine whether you are buying counterfeit silver.
- Magnet:
Did you know that you can use magnets to test the authenticity of sterling silver? To do this, place magnets next to the sterling silver jewelry that you have purchased.
If it is genuine, it will not stick to the surface of it.
However, if the sterling silver jewelry is fake, it will move and stick on it. Silver is a non-ferrous material. Therefore, it is non-magnetic.
Consequently, it is not supposed to stick to magnets.
- Ice Test:
You can use ice to identify genuine sterling silver. Since the metal has thermal conductivity, placing ice on it will prompt it to melt.
The method is a good way of testing the authenticity of precious metals.
Silver items that have flat surfaces such as bars and coins can easily be identified.
The science behind this is that heat melts ice, and silver is the best conductor of heat.
Therefore, the silver will conduct the warmth and transfer it to the ice. Consequently, it will melt faster.
- Acid Test:
Acid is a corrosive material. Therefore, experts recommend that you should use it to test the metal.
If you have the time to do experiments, then this is the best process for you.
The method entails purchasing nitric acid and using it to test the authenticity of your sterling silver jewelry.
The trick to this is pouring the nitric acid on the silver-plated jewelry. If the color of the silver changes to green, the silver is fake.
If it is genuine, pouring nitric acid on it will turn it into a cream color.
- Price:
Silver tends to be very expensive, and the average price of an ounce is $22.41 at outlets like Silpada.
Therefore, the cost should be an easy method to tell if you are buying fake silver. If someone sells you sterling silver jewelry at a low rate, then it is probably not genuine.
However, you can double-check it by evaluating the authenticity of the silver piece.
For credible results, carry out any of the four tests listed above in this article. Selling or buying fake silver can be detrimental to you as you may be liable to jail time.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, phony silver is a counterfeit good.
Therefore, purchasing it may result in civil or criminal penalties. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Stay vigilant and conduct the above tests to avoid being duped into purchasing fake sterling silver jewelry or purchase your silver from Silpada.