Compared to gold testing, silver testing is very simple and straight forward. In this test, you will use a testing stone to test the surface silver content of an item. This test will give you a loose idea of whether or not the item you are testing is actually silver, but it will not be able to tell you if the silver content you tested is just a thick plating on the metal or the real thing. Be sure to wash the stone thoroughly with water after each use.

Tools Needed:

• A testing stone
• And silver testing acid

Step 1

Begin by rubbing or scratching the item you want to test directly onto the surface of the testing stone. Since you will need to press firmly to leave a thick and visible deposit that you can accurately test. The mark should be about 1 to 1 1/2 inches long.

Step 2

Place a drop or thin line of your silver testing acid on top of the scratch mark. As soon as the acid hits the testing stone and the mark, you will need to watch carefully to observe the reaction of the acid to the metal.

•  If the item has a silver content of 90 to 100%, the acid will turn a light creamy color. The lighter the cream color is, the higher the silver content.

•  If the item has a silver content between 77 and 90%, the acid will turn a gray color.

•  If the item has a silver content between 65 and 75%, then the acid will turn a light green color.

• And if the acid turns very strongly green immediately with profuse bubbles, the item is not solid silver.