How Can I Test a Jewelry Box to See if It Is Real Silver?

There are a few tests to determine if a jewelry box is real silver.

Manufacturers make jewelry boxes in a variety of materials including silver, a precious metal. However, there are different kinds of silver. Sterling silver is 92.5 percent pure, and fine silver is more than 99 percent pure. While you can often identify sterling silver by hallmarks such as “925” or “”ster,” not all silver has recognizable identification. This means the jewelry box could still be silver. Using a few at-home tests, you can learn if the jewelry box is real silver.

Things You'll Need

• Magnet
• Silver acid test kit
• Needle

Instructions

Magnet Test

1. Place the jewelry box on a flat surface.

2. Touch the magnet to the sides of the box. If there is a magnetic attraction between the two objects, the box is not silver.

3. Hold the magnet a few inches away from the box. Wait for a sense of pulling on the part of the magnet. If nothing happens, the jewelry box could be silver. Silver is not magnetic, but use this only as a secondary test -- just because the magnet is not attracted to the silver does not mean conclusively that the piece is real silver.

Silver Acid Test

1. Make a small nick or scratch on the jewelry box using a needle. Place the scratch on an inconspicuous area. The bottom of the box is a good choice.

2. Place one drop of the acid included in the silver acid test kit on the scratch. Wait for the acid to change to a color. Many test kits use nitric acid. Read the test kit directions on how to properly use the kit.

3. Compare the color of the acid with the color-coded chart that will be included with the test kit. By reading the chart, you will have a general idea of the silver content of the jewelry box.

References

• The Sterling Silver Guide: Silver Acid Tests for Sterling
• Canada Gold Buyers: Sterling Silver Hallmarks