900 silver is a silver alloy containing 90% pure silver and 10% other metals (typically copper). This silver alloy is known as “coin silver” because it was used in U.S. coinage from 1792-1964. 900 silver is non-magnetic, hypoallergenic (unless allergic to copper/silver), and can be tested using an eraser which leaves black marks when rubbed … Read more
Osmium is hypoallergenic and is one of the least likely jewelry metals to cause allergic reactions. However, this only applies to osmium in solid state (osmium jewelry and osmium bullion). Osmium in powdered form oxidizes and forms osmium tetroxide, a highly toxic and corrosive substance which causes severe burns and irritation to the skin, eyes, … Read more
Scandinavian silver is a silver alloy that contains 83% pure silver and 17% copper. It’s known as “.830 silver” due to its silver content percentage. Scandinavian silver is commonly used for jewelry, tableware, serving pieces, and decorative items throughout Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. This silver alloy is non-magnetic and generally hypoallergenic, though some people … Read more
Silver Decoplata, also known as 720 silver, is a silver alloy that contains 72% pure silver and 28% copper. Its name derives from Spanish “de plata” meaning “of silver.” This silver alloy was primarily used for silver coinage in Mexico, Netherlands, and Egypt during the mid-20th century as a debasement measure to reduce silver content … Read more
Iridium doesn’t tarnish. It’s one of the most corrosion-resistant metals known to mankind and is resistant to tarnish, even at high temperatures. Iridium is unaffected by air, water, and most acids. It reacts with oxygen at high temperatures and forms iridium dioxide, but that’s not tarnish and corrosion as seen in other metals. Does Iridium … Read more
Iridium isn’t magnetic. It’s paramagnetic. This means iridium isn’t strongly attracted to magnets but is still slightly influenced by magnetic fields. Iridium is paramagnetic due to the presence of unpaired electrons in its 5d orbitals. These unpaired electrons give rise to a magnetic moment that’s weakly attracted to an external magnetic field, a characteristic of … Read more
Blue gold is a real but rare gold alloy made by combining yellow gold with either indium (46% gold, 54% indium) or gallium (58.5% gold, 41.5% gallium). This results in 11-karat or 14-karat gold with a distinctive blue hue. Unlike natural gold, blue gold doesn’t occur in nature and is created in laboratories. Blue gold … Read more
Counterfeit Sacagawea dollars frequently dupe collectors by mimicking rare mint errors and special varieties. Authentic Sacagawea dollar coins weigh precisely 8.1 grams and are made of manganese brass with a distinctive golden color. Key indicators of fakes include incorrect coloring (particularly copper tones), improper weight, and wrong edge lettering placement on coins minted between 2000-2008. … Read more
Testing ruthenium at home isn’t a reliable way to determine authenticity. The most accurate method is professional X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, which identifies the metal’s elemental composition and purity without causing damage. Household tests using water, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, lemon juice, baking soda, toothpaste, iodine, magnets, multimeters, fire, sound, or erasers can’t confirm whether … Read more
Is it Possible to be Allergic to Rhodium? Yes, it’s possible to be allergic to rhodium, though it’s very rare. Rhodium allergies are so rare that for the long time the prevalent thought in the scientific community was that they don’t exist. However, a recent study showed that there’re rare individuals who’re sensitive to … Read more