How to test silver at home using ice

Here’s a really simple way to test if your silver is real or fake — using ice!

What you will need

1. A piece of silver you want to test.
2. A fake silver piece – a similar-sized item, that is not silver – made of a different metal, like stainless steel, for comparison.
3. Ice cubes or small ice blocks.
4. A flat surface, like a plate or tray, to keep things tidy.
5. A cloth for cleanup.

Precautions

• Handle the ice carefully to avoid dropping it and slipping on it.
• Do this test on a surface that won’t get damaged by moisture.

The Ice Test for Silver

• Place your silver item and the comparison metal item on a flat surface. Make sure they are both clean and dry.
• Next, put an ice cube on each item. Observe how the ice behaves on both surfaces.
• Look at the difference. On the real silver, the ice melts rapidly, while on the other metal, it takes its time.

If the ice on your silver item melts faster than on the other metal, congratulations — you’ve got real silver!

If not, your silver may be fake or plated.

Don’t forget to wipe and dry your silver with a soft cloth, when done, so that the moisture doesn’t damage it.

Why does this ice test for silver work?

Silver is an excellent conductor of heat. When ice comes in contact with real silver, it melts faster because the silver quickly transfers heat from its surroundings to the ice. Other metals are not as efficient, so the ice melts slower.

Conclusion

Whether you want to test silver coins, silver jewelry or any other silver item, this ice test is a quick way of checking if it is real.

This is not fool-proof though, so if you want to be absolutely sure, get a professional jeweler to test your silver.