By purchasing a silver ring for women on the internet or having received an inheritance from your family, how do you recognize if it's quality money? That's what we're going to look at in this article. We'll look at what a punchthe colorYou can also use the magnet test or a chemical test, as well as other at-home methods.
Pure money doesn't exist
If you're looking for a pure silver jewelryThere's no such thing. Silver is always mixed with other metals, most often copper, as it is too soft and therefore almost impossible to work. The alloying of the second metal makes the silver stronger and contributes to its durability. There are, however, jewels with the designation "solid silver"(or Sterling Silver), but to merit this appellation, the jewel must be at least 92.5% silver purewhich we note 925/1000. Most jewelry is made from the following materialssilver 925but how do you recognize them?
Check the hallmark on your silver ring
In France, to certify the metal content of a piece of jewelry, jewelers can affix a hallmark called a "hallmark".guarantee stamp". These hallmarks are mandatory for jewelry weighing 30 grams or more. There are several of them, but to know if it's solid silver, you need to spot a minerva head accompanied by the number 1 and surrounded by an octagonal frame. If the number 2 appears, it's a silver 800 (80%).
Visit fine silver rings women do not bear these hallmarks, as they weigh less than 30 grams. In this case, look for the inscription 925 or 800But this is no guarantee of quality, as there are many counterfeits of plain silver rings. So how do you know if your jewel is solid silver ?
Color is also an indicator
Silver rings are usually opaque and stainless steel. They do not deteriorate in contact with water, but blacken over time, unlike silver- or other metal-plated jewelry. If your ladies' rings turn green, they're not silver. What's more, silver-plated rings lose their shine over time, and the metal underneath cannot be polished. On the other hand, if your silver is tarnished and polished, it can be returned to its original silver color.
Some jewelers add a layer of rhodium (platinum family) to sterling silver to maintain its lustre over the long term.
Test your jewel with a magnet
The magnetic test to find out if your thin ring is in Sterling silver is very simple. Silver is not magnetic, so if your jewel is attracted to the magnet, it's not silver, let alone Sterling silver.
When you want to buy a silver ring at a market or even in a store, take one with you. You'll know right away whether the jewelry you like is made of silver or another metal.
Perform a chemical test
There's an acid chemical test kit you can make at home. Use a metal file to make a small, clean scratch on the jewelry in question and pour a drop of acid over it. Certain shades indicate the authenticity of your jewelry. The color is supposed to remain the same, since silver resists the reaction.
Other ways to recognize a silver ring
Other tests can certify whether your jewelry are in silver or made of metal:
- Bleach: on a hidden part of your body jewelryIf the area becomes dull or black, it's silver.
- Water with coarse salt: Add coarse salt to a glass of water and immerse your jewel in it, leaving it overnight. If it changes color, it's not silver.
- The jeweller: Whether you have a hallmark or not, going to a jeweller is the most reliable solution, as they will be able to tell you whether your ring is silver or not.
