Do you own inherited jewelry or jewelry you found that you aren't sure is genuine or not?
Acid test kits are an accurate way to determine your jewelry's precious metal purity.
-
Prepare Your Workspace:
- Lay down a clean, non-reactive surface (like a glass or plastic tray) to work on.
- Put on your protective gloves to safeguard your skin from the testing solutions.
-
Clean Your Jewelry:
- Ensure that the piece of jewelry you're testing is clean and free from any dirt or oil, as this can affect the test's accuracy.
-
Rub the Jewelry on the Testing Stone:
- Gently rub the jewelry against the testing stone to leave a noticeable streak of metal. This streak is what you'll apply the testing solution to. Try to make a thick and visible mark for best results.
-
Apply the Testing Solution:
- Shake the testing solution well before use.
- Carefully apply one drop of the testing solution onto the metal streak on the stone.
- Observe the reaction carefully and note any color changes.
-
Interpret the Results:
- Gold: If the streak dissolves or changes color significantly, it may indicate a lower purity than the testing solution's karat rating. If the streak does not change, the gold matches or exceeds the purity of the test solution.
- Silver: A bright red color indicates pure silver, while a dark red color suggests sterling silver (92.5% purity), brown suggest .800 silver, and green suggest .500 silver. Other colors or no reaction can indicate lower purity or different metal.