The gold acid test proliferated in the second half of the 19th century during the time when California Gold Rush was the talk of the day. Gold prospectors, as well as gold dealers had to be able to differentiate gold apart from base metals then.

Theoretically, gold acid test is any form of a chemical qualitative test that makes use of a strong acid like nitric acid, hydrochloric acid and potassium dichromate in order to distinguish gold from base metals. It is because unlike other metals, gold doesn’t react to most acids (except to a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid called “aqua regia”).

Using the gold acid test in determining a gold piece’s purity or Karat can be done in any of the following ways: Acid testing kits, Touchstone testing and Electronic gold test.

Acid Testing Kit

An Acid testing kit contains a color reference chart and bottles of different acid formulas that react in various ways depending on the gold properties they come into contact with. By placing a drop on the item using the formula corresponding to the lowest karat first, then observing its chemical reaction, and comparing it against the color reference chart, the purity and the karat of the gold are determined.

Touchstone Testing

For touchstone testing, the gold sample and a known-gold item are rubbed against the stone leaving gold samples behind. Using drops of acids designed for different karats, the purity and the karat are identified.

Electronic Gold Test

Employing the use of an electronic box, gold is tested by putting a test solution or acid unto the test plate then submerging the gold item into the testing solution. The result is then analyzed by the gold reference test plate.

Given those gold acid test practices, deciding which method to perform is simply a matter of choice. Also, always exercise caution when dealing with acids as they are extremely corrosive and toxic.

The Silver Acid Test is done by using a silver acid test kit. These test kits are readily available in the market. Try your local jewelry shops or try searching for it online, we’re sure you’ll find a reputable source easily.

The composition of a silver acid test kit is mostly nitric acid. As such, you must prepare yourself for the possible result especially when it turns out that your item isn’t really silver, as this could badly damage your item.

How to test your silver piece using the Silver Acid Test

First and foremost, you have to make a scratch on an inconspicuous spot of your jewelry using a file or a needle (you may also want to purchase it together with the silver acid test kit). Then, using the dropper found in your silver acid test kit, place a drop of the acid on the scratch you created. Within a few seconds, you’ll be able to observe the changes on the area you tested. The color that appears will indicate the silver content of your item. More often than not, the silver acid test kit comes with a color chart which could aid in your interpretation. Be informed though, that the color that results from the test is not a definite guide, as different silver acid test solutions could have different chemical reactions which in turn could lead to different outcomes in terms of color.

Tips in relation to the Silver Acid Test

• Even without the drop of acid, you might be able to tell whether the ‘silver’ piece you are testing is made of pure silver. A slight scratch or nick can already reveal what lies underneath. If it’s not silver, then you have the right to doubt.
• If your item turns out to be solid silver, you can easily buff back the filing spot you have created to its original state.
• The chemical reaction from the silver acid test usually shows in just about 30 seconds.
• Make sure that your silver acid test kit is fresh; there would be no chemical reaction at all whether if your item is truly silver or not if you’re using a stale silver acid test kit.
• As with other chemicals, make sure to observe proper precautions as the silver acid test kit contains chemicals which are harmful to your body.

Kennedy silver half dollars are one of the most popular coins to collect ever since its inception. Bearing the late president John F. Kennedy’s left side image on its obverse side, this fifty cent coin was first released in 1964. Noticeably, this was less than a year after Kennedy was assassinated and is probably the reason why many people wanted to collect and keep the commemorative coin. Through the years, the Kennedy silver half dollars never circulated very well as most people chose to hoard these half dollar coins.

Originally, the Kennedy silver half dollars have a 90% silver composition and is 30.60 mm in diameter. Later on, due to increase in silver prices and decrease in the silver stock of the Treasury, this was reduced to 40% and later settled into copper just like the other coins. Kennedy silver half dollars used to weigh 12.50 grams when they were still composed of 90% silver. Meanwhile, the copper-nickel version of the half dollar weighs 11.34 grams. With a closer look on Kennedy’s image, one can see a very detailed rendering of his hairlines. On the reverse side of the coin, the Kennedy silver half dollar has the modified presidential seal on it. However, for the special bicentennial edition, the reverse side of the coin has a design of the Independence Hall.

A favorite among coin collectors, there were special Kennedy silver half dollars that were struck by the Mint just to cater to the people fond of the coin. Truly, the Kennedy silver half dollar proved itself as a collector item must have.

Having been around since 1902, the Engelhard Corporation enjoys a distinctly excellent reputation when it comes to precious metals products like silver, gold, platinum, etc. Charles Engelhard Sr. founded the company which was later continued on by his son, Charles Engelhard Jr. Its logo of a capital letter E on a globe is a well-known logo among silver collectors, buyers and sellers as well as investors. The same logo or the name Engelhard can be found as marks on the Engelhard silver bullion bars.

Every single Engelhard silver bullion bar is serial numbered, ensuring that every piece is unique on its own.

The weight of the bar can also be found on the bar itself marked in troy ounces. There are commercial and art bars among the various types of Engelhard silver bullion bars. Some of the 1-oz Engelhard silver bullion bars also have other obverse logos like the maple leaf and the Statue of Liberty aside from the usual E and globe logo. The Engelhard silver bullion can be found in 1, 10 and 100-oz sizes. Approximately, the poured Engelhard 100-oz bar is 6.86 in weight and 6-1/4″ X 3-1/8″ X 1″ in dimension.

The Engelhard silver bullion bars are extremely valuable as they are considered rare. In addition, silver and gold are inflation evaders. Some of us feel protected against inflation when owning these precious possessions. Though the Engelhard Corp. manufactured .999 silver (also called three nines silver) in the 1970s amidst great demand, the 1980s demand for silver bars decreased. Because of this, the last time Engelhard released the Engelhard silver bullion bars was in the late 1980s.

Of the different karat (purity) of gold, the purest form is known as the 24-karat or 24k. This means that the gold purity is 99.9%. The next level of purity is 22k, meaning only 2 parts are alloy which has been added to be able to shape the gold. But even with parts of certain alloy, this type of gold is still a bit soft. The alloys or metals that are used to combine with gold are much lower in value so as not to affect the price of the gold in the jewelry. The lowest purity of gold that can be made into jewelries is 8k, particularly used in children’s jewelries.

In the United Kingdom as well as in the United States, it is required by law to put a hallmark in all gold jewelries that is being sold in the market. A hallmark is simply the different karat (purity) of gold that’s in particular jewelry for the customer’s information. There are however types of jewelries which are too small to put or inscribe a hallmark.

For those who are not very familiar with Gorham Sterling Silver or who are curious about these valuable pieces, here’s some information to get you started. Gorham silver is a well-known American flatware producer. The company goes from way back in 1831 when it was founded by Jabez Gorham and continued to flourish under the founder’s son John Gorham. Among the famous pieces of Gorham Sterling Silver is the set Mary Todd Lincoln bought which was used as silverware and flatware in the White House during the mid-1800s. Another popular Gorham sterling silver is the Century Vase that contained more than 2,000 ounces of sterling silver made in 1875. Of course, discussion about Gorham sterling silver should include the Chantilly pattern, designed by famous Gorham designer William Codman in 1895.

Perhaps aside from the beautiful and elegant designs, what makes Gorham Sterling Silver products even more fascinating are the marks and date codes of the Gorham pieces. Collectors and enthusiasts alike look for the Gorham sterling silver and examine their dates. Gorham Sterling Silver pieces are marked based on the year they are manufactured. The earlier pieces contain marks of the name of the founder and his partner (Gorham and Webster), founder and son (Gorham and son), and another partner (Gorham and Thurber). Later on, symbols similar but do not bear the same meanings as English silver were used like anchor, lion and the letter G. Starting in the 1940s, geometric shapes (square for 1940s, pentagon for ‘50s and so on) were also used to determine the decade the silver were produced.

Sterling silver is particularly valuable as it contains 925/1000 silver. If you own a Gorham sterling silver, you surely are fortunate to have high quality and rare pieces in your possession.