Silver is enticing in every form it’s created in. The concern that often kills the excitement is whether the purchased silver is sterling silver or some fake silver. Today, we’ll be discussing the identification of the fake Silver and the ways for halting the purchase of fake Silver.
Warning Signs
Today, we all love purchasing light weight jewellery and we often are more impressed by silver pieces than the laid variety in the market calling for our attention. If you’re someone who loves to collect the silver jewellery pieces, then this section belongs to you solely.
If you already own a lot of silver jewellery, these 5 warning signs can help you identify the original from the fake stuff.
- If your jewelry doesn’t scream being silver, then it’s absolutely fake. With this statement, we mean to say that there are various rules that go hand in hand with mis – representation or mis – marking of the metals, precious in existence. Therefore, some sellers avoid selling their jewelry in the name of Silver or Sterling for that matter. As a sign, always look out for tags of Silver or Sterling for the symbol of solid real quality purchase.
- If your silver jewellery gives you a rash on wearing or turns green, then it’s absolutely fake. This point will only stand true to the audience who are aware of the fact that they aren’t allergic to pure Silver and wearing fake jewellery makes them ill. If the wearer is aware of this fact about themselves, then as soon as the artificial silver touches them, they’ll experience rashes or green discoloration. If the colour of your jewellery changes and some kind of irritation happens, your jewellery is entitled to be fake in real terms.
- If you bought your silver jewellery, from any seller without certification of hallmark or eligibility of selling, then there are greater chances you received a fake Silver item. Sometimes, if you’re roaming around in the park or somewhere through streets, some local vendors can get hold of you and your trust by narrating a distressing story. In many cases, the jewellery turns out artificial and fake.
- If you bought your silver for less than Rs 3000, then there are high chances of it being fake or mixed with too much tin. Sometimes, companies do lay out heavy discounts for promotional purposes, still if you come across someone giving you pure silver pendants, necklaces, rings, earrings or even a glass for Rs. 2000 and less, then with surety decline the offer. There are about 99% of you receiving the fake silver jewellery.
- If your silver pendants or necklaces shout to be ‘Made in China or Taiwan’ for any reason, drop that piece right there. It is because they produce massive inexpensive jewellery for exporting it to various countries. This can be misleading at times, as the silver piece you just grabbed shows a famous artist name can be true to some extent.
Therefore, before buying your silver jewellery the next time when you visit the store look for two things; one being the tag of Sterling or Silver, and the other being the name of the artist in person. Also, the above mentioned warning signs are as a precaution and not as a complete judgement for you. Your judgement and instincts should be the priority before anything. Keep these signs in your head but use your sense for a final decision.
Identification Tests
Let’s check on some tests you can use to identify if your Silver is fake or not.
1. Weight Test
Silver is quite denser as a metal. To know whether your silver is sterling or lead plated, weigh the diameter and thickness of your item. If it weighs less then it might have lighter alloys than sterling. Lead plated silver weighs more than usual. Pure Silver is beautiful, shinier, and much favoured than silver plated objects.
2. Magnet Test
The next best way to check whether your purchased Silver is fake or real. Grab some magnets you have around to check on the authenticity of your store-bought silver items. Silver is paramagnetic in nature and shows weak reactions near a magnet. Opt for a strong rare magnet used for neodymium for a satisfying result. If your silver item gets stuck to the magnet, then it is absolutely a fake piece.
On testing silver bars, perform the sliding test with magnets with angling the bar at 45 degree and slide the magnet slowly. Sometimes this can seem inaccurate, but silver acts as an electromagnet, generating electric currents and causing a braking effect on the magnet.
3. Ring Test
It is an easy test which can be performed by anyone at any place. This common test is favoured by maximum in the crowd. When you rub pure silver items together they tend to make a strong ringing sound. Therefore, to check the purity, drop the item like a coin on the surface and check the sound. If the sound is dull, then the object is mixed with other metals.
Conclude it as…
Identification of fake Silver is crucial not just for monetary concerns but also for health reasons. Many people are allergic to artificial silver and a minor touch to such an object can lead to itchiness, dryness and even rashes all over. Also, if we think in monetary terms fake silver gift items cost more than the usual price. As a precaution, always look out for hallmarks while purchasing pure silver gift items.
