Sauciere

[silverstork]

Hey, i had this sauciere tested and it came out silver, but there isnt any mark to be found!! Maybe someone on the board could tell me something about a possible date or country. I really dont have much of a clue.

Thanks!

[Qrt.S]

Kindly recall in your mind the following "rule: "No marks, not silver!" However, there are exceptions but they are usually found in museums. Nonetheless, you are not the first one to fall into this silver test trap- The test you mention is probably the acid test. You should never trust the acid test for the following reason:

Let's assume that the object to be tested is an electroplated object or a silver plated object in general. That means that there is a thin 100% silver layer on it, but we don't know that yet. The the testing person makes a light scratch for the acid test. What will happen is that the test shows red i.e. high purity silver!!!! Of course it does because the layer is silver! but the base metal something else. In order to get a somehow reliable result, the scratch must be deep enough and reach the base metal. In most cases that scratch would demolish the object.

The base metal can be copper, brass/bronze, German silver, alpaca, whatever. If it is copper or brass the color will reveal the truth but if it e,g, German silver, the situation is more difficult but the acid test will show brown and that's it: Not silver!. Summa summarum: The acid test is unreliable, the marks (or missing marks) are! Your object is most likely plated.

[silverstork]

Dear Qrt.S,

Thanks for your reply. That is indeed a good basic rule, i totally agree. However, i must say that the piece 'feels and looks silver' , i know that isnt a guarantee for anything but most plated pieces that ive seen have been easy to spot. Indeed the acid test isnt foolproof, what would be your suggestion for me to find out if it really is silver or not?

[Qrt.S]

I'm afraid that feeling is one thing reality is another. As you mentioned yourself: Even if the object feels like silver, it does not proof anything but the missing marks give a strong indication of not silver.
Remember when the ancient Greek Archimedes took a bath and water flow out of the tube over the rim? At that spot he realized what has happen and created a mathematical formula. My English is not good enough to explain this formula but it is based on the overflowing water when you sink you object in it...Maybe somebody else can explain it better, sorry :-((((

The mentioned procedure will give you a 100% answer. Now you just have to find the formula.

Happy hunting ;-)

[dognose]

Hi Both,

I agree with Qrt.S, the Specific Gravity method is the only sure way.

Here's a post that that explains the method: viewtopic.php?f=34&t=11330&p=25002

If you use the 'search' facility you will find others.

Trev.

[silverly]

Along with the scientific method that has been suggested, testing with an xrf spectrometer might also be an option. However, finding a business or someone that has one and would do the testing might be an overwhelming challenge. From the look of it and lack of a mark, I lean toward silverplate. Good luck.

[oel]

Cheer up Silverstork easy does it.

This will probably not the last time and I say it again; go to an Assay office!
Assay offices have all the equipment and on request, if tested object meets legal standards, will punch a hallmark which could be very convenient for future reference and/or transactions. The cost will around 27 euro’s. I advice ‘Waarborg Gouda’ and acid test can be reliable if done in combination with following methods:
- potentiometric titration for silver;
- (micro) cupellation for gold;
- X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRF) for compositions of precious metal alloys. For more information see;

http://www.hallmarking.com/hallmarking/assaying"
For rates see;
http://www.hallmarking.com/download
Or check;
http://www.theiaao.com/members/"

Regards,

Oel

[silverstork]

Everybody, and especially Oel thanks a lot :-) i will go find out more about assayer's office's.

Greetings!