How to identify silverware in Qing dynasty

Look at the color first. The higher the purity of silver products, the whiter the silver, and the surface of jewelry looks even and shiny with good color. If it contains lead, the jewelry will appear bluish gray; If it contains copper, the surface of jewelry will be rough and the color will not be moist.

Second, weigh the weight. The density of silver is slightly higher than that of ordinary metals. Generally speaking, "aluminum is light, silver is heavy, and copper is not heavy", and it can be preliminarily judged whether it is silver by weighing.

Third, check the hardness. The hardness of silver is lower than that of copper, but higher than that of lead and tin, so it can be tested by marking jewelry in an inconspicuous place with a pin. If the needle slips, it is difficult to leave traces on the surface, which can be judged as copper jewelry; If it is made of lead and tin, the trace is obvious; If the jewelry has traces but is not obvious, it can be preliminarily judged as silver jewelry.

Fourth, listen to the rhyme. Sterling silver jewelry hit the floor, which was inelastic and made a crisp and pleasant sound. The lighter the color, the quieter the sound. If it is copper, its pitch is sharp and its rhyme is short and short. If it is made of lead and tin, the sound of falling to the ground is dull and short.

Five, nitric acid point test method. File a small gap on the silverware with a knife, apply nitric acid to the gap and observe its change. The silver content is above 95%, and the color is unchanged; Silverware containing 80% to 95% silver turns black; Silverware containing 50% to 75% silver turns green, and the deeper the green, the lower the content. Its formula is: "seven green, eight black, nine five white."

Sixth, the nitrate method. Use a black stone as a touchstone. Polish the inconspicuous part of the silverware on the touchstone, then add nitric acid to the silver tank on the stone, and then put 2-3 small grains of salt. If silverware is chemically formed into white emulsion, the more white emulsion, the higher the content. If it is green, the silver content is low, and the deeper the green, the lower the content. Those who have no white milk at all are fakes.