Silver Testing Methods
From the simple magnet test to advanced specific gravity measurements, learn every method for verifying silver authenticity. Protect your investment with knowledge.
| Test | Cost | Time | Skill | Reliability | Destructive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnet | $5-10 | 10 sec | Easy | Fair | No |
| Ice | Free | 30 sec | Easy | Fair | No |
| Ping | Free | 10 sec | Medium | Good | No |
| Weight/Size | $35-80 | 2 min | Medium | Good | No |
| Specific Gravity | $50+ | 5 min | Advanced | Excellent | No |
| Acid | $15-25 | 2 min | Medium | Excellent | Yes |
Complete Testing Guide
Magnet Test
Silver is non-magnetic. If a magnet sticks, the item is fake (likely steel). Real silver may show slight diamagnetic repulsion.
Equipment Needed:
Strong neodymium magnet ($5-10)
Detects:
Steel, iron, nickel-plated fakes
How To:
- 1.Obtain a strong neodymium magnet
- 2.Hold it near (not touching) the silver
- 3.If it sticks firmly, the item is fake
- 4.Real silver may push away slightly or slide slowly when tilted
Pass
No attraction (or slight repulsion)
Fail
Strong magnetic attraction
Limitations
Does NOT detect copper, lead, or tungsten fakes
Ice Test
Silver has the highest thermal conductivity of any metal. Ice melts rapidly on real silver.
Equipment Needed:
Ice cube
Detects:
Low-conductivity fakes like lead or tungsten
How To:
- 1.Place silver on a flat, room temperature surface
- 2.Put a small ice cube on top
- 3.Observe melting speed
- 4.Real silver melts ice almost instantly
Pass
Ice melts very rapidly (seconds)
Fail
Ice melts slowly (minutes)
Limitations
Copper cores also melt ice quickly; less reliable for thin coins
Ping Test (Ring Test)
Real silver produces a distinctive, sustained high-pitched ring when struck. Fakes sound dull or thud.
Equipment Needed:
Another coin or phone app (~$0)
Detects:
Most fakes including copper and lead cores
How To:
- 1.Balance coin on fingertip or pencil eraser
- 2.Tap gently with another coin
- 3.Listen for a clear, ringing tone that lasts 1-2 seconds
- 4.Use Bullion Test app to measure frequency (~6,145 Hz for 1 oz silver coin)
Pass
High-pitched, sustained ring (1-2 seconds)
Fail
Dull thud or short, flat tone
Limitations
Requires practice; bars don't ring as well as coins
Weight & Dimension Test
Real coins have precise specifications. Any deviation suggests a fake or counterfeit.
Equipment Needed:
Precision scale ($20-50) & calipers ($15-30)
Detects:
Most counterfeits (weight/size are hard to fake together)
How To:
- 1.Weigh coin on precision scale (0.01g accuracy)
- 2.Measure diameter and thickness with calipers
- 3.Compare to published specifications
- 4.Deviation over 0.5% is suspicious
Pass
Weight/dimensions within 0.5% of specification
Fail
Any significant deviation from specs
Limitations
Sophisticated fakes may match specs; requires reference data
Specific Gravity Test
Measures density using water displacement. Silver has specific gravity of 10.49. Very difficult to fake.
Equipment Needed:
Precision scale, water, calculator
Detects:
Nearly all fakes including tungsten (SG 19.3) and lead (SG 11.3)
How To:
- 1.Weigh coin in air (W-air)
- 2.Suspend coin in water, weigh again (W-water)
- 3.Calculate: SG = W-air / (W-air - W-water)
- 4.Result should be ~10.49 for pure silver
Pass
Specific gravity of 10.3-10.6 for .999 silver
Fail
SG outside expected range
Limitations
Requires precision; alloys will have different SG; math involved
Acid Test
Chemical reaction produces specific colors with different metals. Definitive test for silver purity.
Equipment Needed:
Silver acid test kit ($15-25)
Detects:
Distinguishes silver from base metals and verifies purity
How To:
- 1.File a small, inconspicuous spot on the item
- 2.Apply a drop of silver testing acid
- 3.Observe the color change
- 4.Compare to included color chart
Pass
Creamy white/light gray color indicates silver
Fail
Green (copper), blue (nickel), brown (brass), no reaction (stainless steel)
Limitations
Permanent mark required; can damage collectible value
Recommended Testing Sequence
Follow this order for efficient and thorough verification.
Visual Inspection
Look for obvious signs: wrong color, mushy details, visible seams, incorrect markings.
Action: If suspicious, continue testing. If obviously fake, reject.
Magnet Test
Quick test to eliminate obvious steel fakes.
Action: Magnetic = Fake. Non-magnetic = Continue testing.
Weight & Dimensions
Verify the coin matches published specifications.
Action: Off-spec = Likely fake. On-spec = Continue testing.
Ping Test
Listen for the characteristic silver ring.
Action: Dull thud = Likely fake. Clear ring = Likely real.
Specific Gravity (Optional)
Definitive test for serious verification.
Action: Correct SG = Authentic. Wrong SG = Fake.
Acid Test (Last Resort)
Only if other tests are inconclusive and you're willing to mark the piece.
Action: Correct color = Authentic. Wrong color = Fake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most reliable silver test?
The specific gravity test and acid test are the most reliable, both achieving near-100% accuracy. Specific gravity is non-destructive and measures the coin's density, which is very difficult to fake. The acid test is destructive (requires scratching) but provides definitive purity verification. For best results, combine multiple tests.
How does the silver magnet test work?
Silver is not magnetic - it's actually slightly diamagnetic (repels magnets weakly). If a magnet sticks to your silver, the item contains magnetic metals like steel or iron, indicating a fake. However, passing the magnet test doesn't guarantee authenticity since fakes can use non-magnetic metals like copper, lead, or tungsten.
What is the ping test for silver?
The ping test exploits silver's unique acoustic properties. When struck, real silver produces a distinctive, high-pitched ring that sustains for 1-2 seconds. Fakes typically produce a dull thud or short, flat tone. You can use phone apps like Bullion Test to measure the exact frequency - genuine 1 oz silver coins ring at approximately 6,145 Hz.
How accurate is the silver acid test?
The silver acid test is highly accurate for verifying silver content and purity. Different purities produce different color reactions: .999 fine silver shows creamy white, while lower purities show darker shades. The test can also identify base metals - copper shows green, nickel shows blue. The downside is it requires scratching the item, which can affect collector value.
Can tungsten pass silver tests?
Tungsten is difficult to detect because it's non-magnetic and can be weighted to match silver. However, tungsten fails the specific gravity test (19.3 vs 10.49), the ping test (different acoustic properties), and the acid test (no reaction). The ice test may also reveal tungsten since it conducts heat differently than silver. Sophisticated testing is required for tungsten detection.
Skip the Testing - Buy Guaranteed Silver
When you purchase through Augusta Precious Metals, every piece is professionally verified and guaranteed authentic. All silver meets IRA purity requirements with full documentation.