So far, more than two million tons of the precious metal has been mined worldwide. It is a favorite precious metal and is used to make wonderful jewelry and ornaments. It is also available as bullion.
The issue with silver or any precious metal is knowing how real it actually is.
How to Determine Whether Silver Is Genuine or Fake
If you don’t know what you’re searching for, it’s easy to be duped into believing that imitation silver is real. You should never buy silver unless you are certain that it is genuine.
There are some simple basic things you can do to ensure that you are getting your money’s worth.
If you don’t know what you’re searching for, it’s easy to be duped into believing that imitation silver is real. You should never buy silver unless you are certain that it is genuine.
- Search for a Stamp
The first and most trustworthy item to look for is a stamp. In most nations, silver produced for commercial sale will bear at least one stamp indicating its authenticity and where it was manufactured.
Assume you’re purchasing a silver ring; you’ll see a marking on the inside of the band. It could be a word or two, or it could be the emblem of the goldsmith who crafted the ring.
The purity of silver is expressed in parts per thousand. If you happen to come across silver marked with “999,” it signifies you’ve found some silver that is 99% pure.
Don’t get too excited, most commercially available silver is approximately 92.5% or “925.”
- Is the metal magnetic or not?
If you detect a mark but are still unsatisfied, pull out the magnet and perform a quick and easy test to determine the genuineness of the silver. Nonmagnetic is the term used to describe pure silver.
While actual silver will have a minor magnetic reaction when held near a magnet, it should not be substantially drawn to it. Don’t rely exclusively on the magnet test because other metals can mimic the magnetic characteristics of precious metals.
- Is there a visible Patina?
Patina is another visual indicator that the metal you’re looking at is genuine silver. Patina is the term used to describe tarnish. When you buy silver bullion you should not expect to find it tarnished unless it is 959, the same quality that is used in making jeweler.
The primary issue with this valuable metal is that it might be difficult to tell if it is genuine.
If you don’t know what you’re searching for, it’s easy to be duped into believing that imitation silver is real. You should never buy silver unless you are certain that it is genuine.
It might be difficult to tell if silver is genuine simply by glancing at a piece of metal. You can be more confident when purchasing precious metals if you do your due diligence.
If you want to be assured that you’re buying genuine silver, contact some of the country’s best bullion dealers. Don’t waste time with new companies with little experience.
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