prescious metal test

[macjillifer]

is there a simple test on gold or silver,without hallmarks to prove that it is genuine,any tips welcome,thank you.

[Tim Baxter]

Yes

Archemides' priciple and the relative density of different materials.

You need a something to find your item's volume (a graduated syringe would do) and then accurate (perhaps chemist or school lab) scales to measure its weight.

Now you now its volume and weight.  24 Carat or pure Gold has a density of 19.31 grammes per millilitre.  Devide its weight by the volume and you will have its density.

The impurities used in gold to harden or colour it are usually silver or copper.  These have a density of around half that of gold so it easy to tell the difference.

For further details on this goto: http://www.iun.edu/~cpanhd/C101webnotes/matter-and-energ y/density.html

[Ralph]

Only 1 star for Tim? Not only is he bang on correct but it also what Archimedes did to discover the whole density thing (or at least describe it correctly). Have a read of "The Golden Crown" at:
http://tinyurl.com/8yl3v

[wellhungjock]

Just take it to a jewelers say you want to sell it they will test it they will tell you if it�s real or not then say you have changed your mind

***Rating

[Tim Baxter]

Cheers Ralph

Who gives out these stars anyway?