How to Tell If Something Is Pure Silver

Silver is a valuable metal coveted by many.

Silver is a naturally occurring precious metal that has been commonly used throughout history in jewelry, as currency and for many other uses. Though not as valuable as gold or platinum, it is still highly-valued by collectors and common people alike. Considering that the value of silver tends to rise and fall, it is important to determine how pure a piece of silver is when trying to determine its value. An ideal way to test the pureness of silver is by using a silver acid test kit.

Things You'll Need

• Silver acid test kit

Instructions

1. Buy a silver acid test kit through a specialty store or through an online merchant. These kits usually include a color chart to help with interpreation and a bottle of nitric acid.

2. Scratch the surface of the silver object being tested with a sharp object such as a needle.

3. Place a drop of nitric acid on the scratch and wait for a color change. Use your color chart in order to interpret the results. Usually, a cloudy cream color reveals a high percentage of pure silver, between 90% and 100%. If the result is grayish or greenish, the silver is impure.

Tips & Warnings

• Perform the silver acid test in a well-ventilated area.

• The silver acid test will damage the silver object.

References

• Wizard Coin Supply: Silver Test Acid
• Canada Gold Buyers: Testing Precious Metals

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish