How to Test Silver Bars
In simpler terms, an individual test silver bar is an easy and simple way to test coins and silver bars for fakes or counterfeiters. With an accurate way to weed out the genuine silver from fraudulent ones, it is more important than ever for the savvy precious metals investor. But what exactly is a test bar?
Test bars are a
collection of twenty-eight individual test strips. These strips, each
containing silver content, have been applied to various coins and bars. The goal
of such testing is to establish whether or not the bar or coin is really
silver. Each strip has been numbered one through twenty-eight, with each number
assigned to a particular bar or coin. When the test results come back
indicating the presence of silver, then the test is considered a successful
one.
It is important to
understand that the results of these tests are not always conclusive. Depending
on the quality of the samples and the quality of the laboratory that is
conducting the test, some of these results may not prove to be accurate.
However, this does not stop testing labs from offering this service because of
its importance and the potential that can be realized if a test is successful.
When choosing the type
of test to use for testing a silver bar, it is best to know as much as possible
about the material itself. There are many different grades of silver, each
graded by purity. The most commonly used grade of silver in the marketplace is
ninety-two. As the highest grade, ninety-two also contains ninety percent pure
silver.
A bar or coin can be
contaminated with lead or silver if it has not been properly cleaned. Silver
can easily be deposited in the surface area of a coin and silver is a strong
oxidizing agent that will produce spots and stains. If a coin has not been
properly cleaned, it will not stand up to the tests that it will be subjected
to. This will cause the test results to be negative. On the other hand, if a
coin has been cleaned well, then it will perform better.
Silver has a tendency
to attract moisture. This is why it is so often found in the inside surfaces of
coins. When the coin or the metal has not been properly cleaned, the moistness
will leave fingerprints, dents, or streaks. which can prove to be a problem
when trying to assess the purity of a coin. Once these fingerprints and streaks
show up in the test results, they can also be quite difficult to remove with
standard cleaning methods.
Silver is not a very
valuable metal because it will tarnish over time and is susceptible to corrosion.
It is susceptible to damage when it is exposed to oxygen. It is also vulnerable
to attack by the rays of the sun.
When choosing to buy a
test kit, it is best to make sure it includes cleaning equipment and cleaners
that can clean the samples thoroughly. After testing, it is always a good idea
to store the test strip to ensure a repeat performance on any future tests.
In order to test silver bars, it is important to have
a way to store them. These products will have to be stored in a cool, dry environment.
A safe place will be in a cabinet where the humidity level is controlled and it
is unlikely that the silver will become wet. It will also help to have a paper
towel to blot the test strip or spot before transferring it to another box.
Most of the testing
kits for silver bullion will contain special cleaning agents that are designed
to remove the stains from the coin. Many of the cleaning solutions have a
solution that includes acetone that is used to loosen the surface contaminants
such as fingerprints.
Silver is not an
extremely dense metal and it can be easily distorted. by the heat when the
temperature is too high. In order to test the integrity of the silver, a
special tool called a probe must be used that is able to measure the thickness
of the metal and is able to show if there is a buildup of the silver deposits
underneath.
As mentioned, the best
tests for silver bars will include cleaning equipment and cleaners that will
remove any debris that is left behind after the test. This can prove to be
helpful in the event the silver has been contaminated.
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