How to test your jewelry's purity

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. 

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

silver test kit

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