Silver, as one of the most important things, has a long history and cultural background. With the progress of society and the development of the economy, the use of silver has become more and more extensive. However, there are also many counterfeit and shoddy silver products on the market, which brings great trouble to consumers. Therefore, it is very necessary to master some simple methods of silver identification.
1. Observation.
Observation is one of the simplest and most commonly used methods of identifying silver. Real silver usually has a soft silvery-white appearance, while counterfeit silver products tend to be darker or yellowish in color. In addition, real silver often has some fine lines or frosted on the surface, while counterfeit silver products often have a smooth or overly rough surface.
2. Hardness test method.
The hardness of silver is relatively low and can be tested with a few simple tools or objects. For example, silver can be gently bitten with your teeth, and if there are deep tooth marks, it is likely to be real silver. Alternatively, you can use your fingernails to gently scrape the surface of the silver, as real silver usually scratches some small marks.
3. Magnetic test method.
Silver is less magnetic and can be identified by magnets. Place the magnet near the silver, if you can attract the magnet, it is likely to be counterfeit silver. Because many alloy materials are highly magnetic, real silver is not affected by magnets.
Fourth, the fire method.
The fire method is also a commonly used method of identifying silver. If the silver is heated in a high-temperature flame, if there is no change in color, or if it is only slightly darkened, it is likely to be real silver. If the color change is very noticeable, it is likely to be counterfeit silver. Because many alloying materials undergo oxidation reactions at high temperatures, the color changes.
5. Sound test method.
The sound test method is used to identify the sound produced by striking silverware. If you gently tap silver on a table top or other hard surface, if the sound is crisp and pleasant, it is likely to be real silver. If the sound is muffled or murmurful, it is likely to be counterfeit silver. Because the density of silver is high, the sound is unique when struck.
In short, mastering these simple methods of silver identification can help us more accurately distinguish the authenticity of silver products when buying them. At the same time, it also reminds us to choose formal purchase channels and reputable brands to avoid buying counterfeit and shoddy products.