Differentiating between silver and solder

Jewelry Discussion
1

I found a good sized coil behind my bench and don’t know if it is
sterling or silver solder?

How do I tell the difference?

Thanks!
Mary Blanchard

2

Break off a piece. Hit it with your torch. If it just turns black
and does not melt, it is probably sterling.

Alma

3

Hi, Roll a small piece flat. put it next to a similar sized and
shaped piece of silver and another of silver solder. With one flame,
heat all three and watch the reactions. Should you still not be
certain, take a small piece of solder and put it onto the mystery
metal. if they both melt, it’s solder, if the solder flows over the
mystery metal, it’s silver… good luck!

4

Cut equal short lengths of known silver wire and the unknown wire.
Place both wires close together on a solder block and hit with a
torch. If the unknown is solder it will melt before the known silver
wire. If both melt at the same time the unknown is silver.

Let us know what you find out.
Lee Epperson

5 
I found a good sized coil behind my bench and don't know if it is
sterling or silver solder? How do I tell the difference?

Cut off a small piece and place it on a soldering block with a small
piece of known Sterling. Flux them both, heat them together, and
watch to see if they melt at the same time.

Regards, Gary Wooding

6

I would put a short piece of it on your soldering block next to a
piece the same size that is a known sample (sterling &/or solder)
and heat them with a torch, watch their response to heat. Solder
should melt much sooner, probably turn black sooner.

If it is fine silver, it will stay shiny longer, melt later.

Noel

7

Thanks to all who responded. The ‘unknown’ was wire solder.

Mary Blanchard