Identifying silver besides the acids?

Jewelry Discussion
1

Does anyone have any tricks for identifying silver besides the
acids?

2

I was just shown a trick using the 18k acid rather than the formula
used for sterling. The acid streak turns pale blue on a sterling rub.

3

Would not rely on that as the reaction you are seeing is the copper
in the sterling not silver.

James Binnion
James Binnion Metal Arts

4

Oddly enough I can tell by the smell after I rub it vigorously with
my thumb. Really.

Have fun and make lots of jewelry.
Jo Haemer
timothywgreen.com

5 
 Oddly enough I can tell by the smell after I rub it vigorously
with my thumb. Really.

Me too - it has a particularly strong smell (to me). But some people
can’t detect it.

Regards, Gary Wooding

6 
 Me too - it has a particularly strong smell (to me). But some people
 can't detect it.

My sense of smell is very acute, so I’ll give this a try.

Have you tried plated silver items?

Regards Charles A.

7

I’m not (completely) crazy then. Maybe it’s the copper in the
sterling? But fine silver has its own very faint smell too. Or at
least it does to me.

I would not, however, EVER attempt to identify a metal based on
scent alone.