How to distinguish cupronickel from silver? This question is rather relevant. Often, having found an old thing, you think, to throw out it or to leave, it is of any value or just takes the place. Externally it is not so simple to distinguish cupronickel and silver, but if to follow several advice, this task will significantly become simpler.
Instruction
1. Look at test. If it is cupronickel, then you will see MNC abbreviation (alloy of copper, nickel and zinc). On silver there has to be a usual test, as on any precious metal, consisting of figures (for example, 925).
2. Take a product in water. Nothing will happen to silver, and here the surface of cupronickel will be oxidized in green color.
3. Rub a product surface a lyapisny pencil. If the surface remains without changes, then be sure - it is silver. On the surface of cupronickel the dark stain will appear.
4. Try to estimate product weight. Products from cupronickel will seem very easy in comparison with products from silver.
5. Pay attention to the price. If upon purchase offer you a silver product at low price, there is an occasion to think. Most likely, it is cupronickel.
6. Ask for the help own organs of smell. Smell a subject. Cupronickel, as a rule, has a copper smell. Better to feel a smell, the product can be rubbed. "Ring out" and listen to a sound which it makes.
7. Address experts: to jewelers, restorers on metal. Thanks to the experience, they for certain will be able to define what the thing is made of: whether silver it or only a fake under silver.
8. Use iodine. Silver in the sun, in that place where iodine was used, will darken. This method has minus. You should clean the appeared spot.
9. Smooth out a surface where you will make an experiment and drip chrompeak. The silver test is higher, the more intensively there will be red color.
10. Well also remember that cupronickel was very often used for production of ware. And if on a product there is no test, then most likely it also is the German silver thing which is perhaps covered with silver.
11. To distinguish cupronickel from silver very difficult and often it is impossible. If you want to be sure for 100%, address professionals better. Rely on the intuition: smell, listen, weigh, you look.