posted on September 29, 2008 12:52:55 AM new
I can't think of anything else you need unless it's instructions for the silver testing. Everything else is pretty easy to follow.
May sure to compare whatever you are testing to a known piece until you get the hang of it.
Also antique good jewelry sometimes requires more testing as they plating was much thicker than it is today. You may want to scratch it on the stone twice using the same testing spot.
On sterling if you don't want to drop the acid on the piece (it will ruin the piece if it's not sterling) you can scratch it the stone and test it with the 10 or 18 Kt solution. If it's sterling it will turn a blue color before it disappears (best done in sunlight). A friend showed me that years ago and it seems to work.
posted on September 29, 2008 06:16:28 AM new
Ladyjewels - thanks a lot! I recently bought several lots of old jewelry - I'm sure it's mostly costume, but there are a few pieces that look like they might be real gold.
