How To Tell If Silver is Real or Fake? Simple Home Tests to Test Silver Coins, Bars and Jewelry (Rings, Earrings, Necklaces, Chains, Bracelets, Cufflinks…)

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You need to know whether silver is real or fake before you start buying (supposed) silver objects.

You simply can’t afford to lose your money and get scammed. 

So go and read my article below as it’ll tell you how to test silver coins, bars and jewelry (rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, chains, pendants, broches, spoons…) from the comfort of your home.

How To Tell If Silver is Real or Fake? Simple Home Tests to Test Silver Coins, Bars and Jewelry (Rings, Earrings, Necklaces, Chains, Bracelets, Cufflinks...)
How To Tell If Silver is Real or Fake? Simple Home Tests to Test Silver Coins, Bars and Jewelry (Rings, Earrings, Necklaces, Chains, Bracelets, Cufflinks…)

Easy and Free Ways to Test Silver at Home and See if it’s Real or Fake


Here are some easy and free ways to test your silver at home to see if it’s real or fake.

Silver vs. Silver-Plated Test (Authentication Test)

Examining the silver item’s hallmarks is is one of the most popular and easiest methods of determining whether silver jewelry is real or fake.

Sterling silver items typically bear the mark “925,” indicating their 92.5% silver composition.

Fine silver is the purest form of this noble metal and is stamped with “999,” reflecting its near-total silver content.

Silver-plated items will either completely lack these hallmarks or they’ll carry different markings altogether, signaling their lesser value and authenticity.

Oftentimes, the differences between silver-plated, sterling silver and fake silver jewelry are very subtle and easy to miss or disregard.

For example, sterling silver exhibits a bright, metallic luster that develops a patina over time, and patina adds to its intrinsic appeal as it adds character and depth to silver-made objects.

Silver-plated and fake silver items usually tarnish unevenly and exhibit a lackluster appearance without the warm patina or detailed aging process of fine, genuine silver.

Silver vs silver plated test instructions
Silver vs silver-plated test instructions

How to Test Silver With an Eraser at Home?

How to Test Silver at Home With an Eraser (step-by-step):

  • Step #1– get both the eraser and the silver item you want to test;
  • Step #2– gently rub the eraser over a small area of your silver object.
  • Step #3– See if the eraser has a slight black mark developed from rubbing.

To test silver at home with an eraser gently rub the eraser over a small area of your silver object. Apply steady pressure and make several passes over the same spot.

Look at both the silver object and your eraser after rubbing. The eraser shows a slight black mark when rubbed over genuine silver and that’s a sign of real silver reacting with friction.

Don’t worry, you can’t damage your silver object with an eraser, no matter how hard you rub.

To correctly test silver with an eraser you need to avoid colored or abrasive erasers as they’ll leave misleading marks on your silver item.

Fake silver rubbed with an eraser shows notable damage and it’s an easy way for you to tell it’s not authentic.

Testing silver authenticity with an eraser (instructions)
Testing silver authenticity with an eraser (instructions)

How to Test Silver With a Lighter at Home to See if It’s Real or Fake?

How to Test Silver at Home With a Lighter (step-by-step):

  • Step #1– get the silver item you want to test;
  • Step #2– hold the silver object with a pair of metal tongs and apply the flame from a lighter for about 10 to 16 seconds.
  • Step #3– See if the silver item starts to darken.

To test silver with a lighter at home to see if it’s real or fake hold the silver object you’re testing with a pair of metal tongs and apply the flame from a lighter for about 10 to 16 seconds.

Real silver will conduct heat quickly and will turn darker in color from the brief flame exposure. Authentic-silver items will cool down rapidly after heating.

The point of testing silver-made objects with a lighter is to see how the material reacts when briefly exposed to heat.

On lighter flame exposure real silver will darken in color just a bit, but it won’t show significant marks nor suffer significant and permanent damage.

Silver-plated or fake silver items exposed to lighter flame start to peel off quickly and show other signs of superficial damage.

Be cautious when testing silver for fakeness with a lighter or any other type of flame or fire. Use safety measures to avoid burns or damage to your item and surroundings.

how to tell if silver is real with a lighter?
how to tell if silver is real with a lighter?

How to Test Silver With Magnets at Home?

How to Test Silver at Home With Magnets (step-by-step):

  • Step #1– get both the magnet and the silver item you want to test;
  • Step #2– bring  the magnet extremely close to your silver object without touching it.
  • Step #3– See if the silver item responds to your magnet.

To test silver at home with magnets take a store-bought magnet and bring it extremely close to your silver object without touching it. Your object is made of sterling silver if it remains unresponsive to the magnet.

Testing silver with magnets is one of the quickest and most straightforward way to test the silver item’s authenticity. Pure sterling silver is non-magnetic, which means it can’t be magnetized no matter what.

Your item is made of fake silver if it attaches itself to your magnet. Your object will also be magnetized if it’s made mostly of some magnetic metal with a thin veneer of genuine silver covering it.

How to test silver with magnets (instructions)
How to test silver with magnets (instructions)

How to Test Silver With Ice at Home?

How to Test Silver at Home With Ice (step-by-step):

  • Step #1– get both the ice cube and the silver item you want to test;
  • Step #2– place the ice cube on the surface of the silver item;
  • Step #3– See if the ice cube immediately starts to melt.

To test silver with ice at home place the ice cube on the surface of the silver item. The ice will start melting almost immediately if your item is made of genuine silver.

You can test silver at home with ice cubes because silver has superior thermal conductivity—the highest of any other common alloy and metal.

The ice will melt slowly at room temperature if your silver object contains very little real silver in it (if it’s not real silver).

Testing silver authenticity with ice cubes
Testing silver authenticity with ice cubes
Silver is very thermoconductive
Silver is very thermoconductive- source

How to Test Silver With Bleach at Home?

How to Test Silver at Home With Bleach (step-by-step):

  • Step #1– get a bottle of bleach and the silver item you want to test;
  • Step #2– apply a small drop of bleach to a secluded area of the item;
  • Step #3– See if the silver item tarnishes.

To test silver at home with bleach apply a small drop of this chemical to a small and hidden area of the item. Genuine and sterling silver will tarnish almost immediately, while non-silver metals won’t.

Testing silver at home with bleach is easy, safe and effective. But you need to be cautious.

Don’t expose your skin or worse your eyes to bleach as it’s very dangerous. And only put a drop of bleach on the tested item so you don’t damage it too much if it turns out to be a valuable, real-silver object.

Because your silver is going to permanently tarnish when exposed to bleach, even from a single drop.

Testing silver authenticity with bleach
Testing silver authenticity with bleach

How to Test Silver With Sound at Home?

How to Test Silver at Home With Sound (step-by-step):

  • Step #1– get a bottle of nitric acid and the silver item you want to test;
  • Step #2– apply a small drop of nitric acid to an inconspicuous area of your silver item;
  • Step #3– See if your silver item changes color or not.

To test silver with sound gently tap your silver item with another metal object and listen to the sound it produces. Genuine silver will make a high-pitched, long-lasting ring.

Base-metal items will produce a dull, short sound indicating they’re not made of authentic silver.

Silver has a distinctive acoustic resonance. It produces a clear, prolonged ring when gently struck.

Testing silver authenticity with sound instructions
Testing silver authenticity with sound

Ping Test for Silver Coins & Bars

How to Test Silver With Nitric Acid at Home?

How to Test Silver at Home With Nitric Acid (step-by-step):

  • Step #1– get a bottle of nitric acid and the silver item you want to test;
  • Step #2– apply a small drop of nitric acid to an inconspicuous area of your silver item;
  • Step #3– See if your silver item changes color or not.

To test silver at home with nitric acid apply a small drop of nitric acid to an inconspicuous area of your silver item. Genuine silver will react when exposed to nitric acid and change color based on the silver’s purity.

Depending on the silver test kit, the reaction will turn a specific color, most commonly a hue or red or blue.

In contrast, non-silver metals hit with acid will cause the acid to turn green or another color.

Make sure you wear gloves at all times (nitric acid is corrosive) if you’re going to test with nitric acid. Ventilate the room thoroughly and protect your eyes as well.

Testing silver authenticity with nitric acid (instructions)
Testing silver authenticity with nitric acid (instructions)

How to Test Silver with Vinegar at Home?

How to Test Silver at Home With Vinegar (step-by-step):

  • Step #1– get a bottle of vinegar and the silver item you want to test;
  • Step #2– put your silver item in a vinegar-filled container and wait 48h;
  • Step #3– See if a black residue forms on the surface of the silver item.

To test silver with vinegar at home put your silver item in a vinegar-filled container and wait 48h. A black residue will form on the surface of the silver item if your silver object is genuine.

Silver interacts with vinegar by starting to oxidize much more rapidly and visibly so you can use vinegar to see if your silver ring, bracelet, chain, necklace, bar, coin or anything else is fake or real.

Testing silver with vinegar works, but it’s slow and other methods I covered here are much faster.

Testing silver authenticity with vinegar (instructions)
Testing silver authenticity with vinegar (instructions)

What is the Best and Easiest Free Way to Test and See if Silver is Real or Fake?


There’s no one best and easiest free way to test and see whether silver is real or fake.

All of the silver-testing methods I talked about in this article work, but none of them is foolproof. And none of them is as good as taking your silver items, coins, bars, rounds or jewelry to a professional appraiser.

I suggest you combine several of these silver testing methods for best and most consistent results.

Testing your silver necklace (necklace is just an example, it can be earrings, rings, chains, pendants, broches, coins, bars or anything else) with all of these methods will give you a definitive answer without paying a dime for it.

Where to Buy True Silver Bullion (Coins and Bars)?


It’s imperative you purchase from a legitimate silver dealer if you want to buy genuine silver bullion.

And some of the best US companies that sell genuine silver bullion are Augusta Precious Metals, Birch Gold Group and JM Bullion.

These precious metals dealers companies sell silver real coins and bars and each of these businesses has thousand of positive reviews on popular consumer watchdog sites.

These positive reviews come mostly from verified buyers too.

Augusta Precious Metals sell real silver bullion
Augusta Precious Metals sell actual silver bullion

You can read my Augusta Precious Metals review and my Augusta Precious Metals discount guides here.

Birch Gold Group sell genuine silver coins and bars
Birch Gold Group sell actual silver coins and bars

You can read my Birch Gold Group review here.

Augusta Precious Metals and Birch Gold Group are above all gold IRA companies. This means they specialize in helping people convert parts of their retirement funds into IRA accounts. This includes opening a silver IRA account.

But, they also sell physical silver bullion to interested investors.

However, Augusta and Birch Gold have minimum order requirements while with JM Bullion you can buy individual silver pieces or a low (or high) number of them.

JM Bullion sell genuine silver coins and bars
JM Bullion sell genuine silver coins and bars

Read my JM Bullion review here.

How To Tell If Silver is Real or Fake? Home Tests to Test Silver Coins, Bars and Jewelry (FAQ)


How To Tell If Silver is Real or Fake? Home Tests to Test Silver Coins, Bars and Jewelry (FAQ)
How To Tell If Silver is Real or Fake? Home Tests to Test Silver Coins, Bars and Jewelry (FAQ)

What is the Quickest Test For Identifying Fake Silver?

Testing silver with magnets is the quickest test for identifying fake silver. Testing silver with an eraser, sound, ice cubes and flame from a lighter is also really fast.

You’ll know with 99% certainty whether your silver ring, chain, necklace or even cutlery is made of sterling silver, is silver-plated or completely made of fake silver if you combine all five tests. Each test literally takes <1m.

Testing silver with vinegar is the slowest method because it takes 48h to get the results.

Is it Possible to Test Silver Authenticity With Water?

It’s not possible to test silver authenticity with water as pure silver does not react with water in any way. You can perform a simple gold float test if you have gold you want to test a gold item for purity and fakeness.

Is it Possible to Test Silver with Alcohol?

It’s not possible to test silver with alcohol because alcohol has no effect on pure sterling silver. Alcohol can’t damage or rust real authentic silver objects in any way.

Alcohol can turn fake silver object white and it’s a clear sign your silver object is fake and lacks the required purity.

Is it Possible to Test Silver with Alcohol?
Is it Possible to Test Silver with Alcohol? Source

Is it Possible to Test Silver with Makeup?

It isn’t possible to test silver with makeup. Makeup has no effect on sterling silver.

Is it Possible to Test Silver with Lemon Juice?

It isn’t possible to test silver with Lemon juice. Lemon juice is weakly acidic and has no effect on sterling silver.

Is it Possible to Test Silver with Baking Soda?

Yes, it’s possible to test silver with baking soda.
Make a paste with baking soda and water. Apply it to your silver item’s surface and gently rub.

If the silver is sterling, it will shine after cleaning.

Is it Possible to Test Silver with Toothpaste?

Yes, it’s possible to test silver with toothpaste. However, I don’t recommend this method.

Toothpaste is abrasive and can permanently scratch and damage your silver item. It’s because authentic silver is softer than toothpaste.

Is it Possible to Test Silver By Measuring it’s Density?

Yes, it is possible to test silver by measuring its density. Silver density is around 10.49 g/cm³ and it’s a unique property that can be used to verify its authenticity. Your item is made of genuine silver if the measured density closely matches the known density of silver.

To test silver with density, you need to measure the weight (mass) of the object and its volume, then divide the weight by the volume to calculate the density.

This testing method requires precise measurements of both weight and volume to achieve accurate results.

Is it Possible to Test Silver with Ceramic Tiles?

No, it’s not possible to test silver just with ceramic tiles. You can scratch your silver item with a ceramic tile, but you then need to pour a drop of acid on the scratched area to see if the silver reacts and how.

This will tell you whether your silver item is real or not.

Is it Possible to Test Silver with Multimeter?

Yes, you can test silver with a multimeter, but only to a limited extent. A multimeter measures the electrical conductivity of a material. Silver has very high conductivity and you can use this property to get an indication of whether a piece is likely to be real silver or not.

How to Spot Fake Silver Coins and Bars?

The best way to spot fake silver coins and bars is to use a combination of free methods I described here and see how your silver coin or bar reacts.

The most foolproof way to test your silver bars and coins is to take them to a professional appraiser who’ll be able to tell you for sure how much silver your coins and bars have. But that costs money.

And the best way to ensure your silver bullion is legit is to buy it from a reputable US dealer. Legitimate gold investment companies like Augusta Precious Metals and Birch Gold Group sell only genuine platinum, palladium, gold and silver bullion.

How to Tell if Something is Silver Without Markings?

Silver objects without markings and hallmarks need to be tested for fakeness. Use one of the silver testing methods I described above.

I also advise you to test silver items that have hallmarks (markings) on them. Because counterfed silver can be hallmarked too to increase their value.

Pseudo hallmarks that go on silver-plated objects can fool an untrained eye as well.

Watch Out For Fake Silver Hallmarks! | How To Identify Pseudo Hallmarks/Silverplate Marks

Can Fake Silver Have a 925 Stamp?

Yes, fake silver can have a 925 stamp. Forgers typically go through extra effort to add in a 925 stamp.

It’s because they know the better they imitate real silver, the more people they’ll dupe with their counterfeit products.

Be vigilant when buying silver. Always buy from reputable companies and make sure you test your silver at home just to make sure and have peace of mind.

What Color Does Silver Turn When it’s Fake?

Fake silver takes on a greenish tinge, while genuine silver displays a creamy color.

Necklace made of fake silver is starting to change color. This necklace is obviously made of something else.
Necklace made of fake silver is starting to change color. This necklace is obviously made of something else.- Source

How To Tell If Silver is Real or Fake? Home Tests to Test Silver Coins, Bars and Jewelry (Conclusion…)


You must know whether silver is real or fake before you start buying.

You can’t afford to lose your money and get scammed. 

I hope my guide above has helped you and if you have any questions, send them in the comment section below.

References:

Nikola Roza

Nikola Roza is a blogger behind Nikola Roza- SEO for the Poor and Determined. He writes for bloggers who don't have huge marketing budget but still want to succeed. Nikola is passionate about precious metals IRAs and how to invest in gold and silver for a safer financial future. Learn about Nikola here.

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