How to tell the difference between silver and platinum jewelry

To the non-connoisseur, platinum, silver or bac sterling may seem very similar at first glance. However, with a little practice, you’ll notice the difference in a flash!

Table of Contents

Check out the jewelry

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Look for the identification mark on the jewelry. The confirmation mark will be etched into the metal surface. If the jewelry has a clasp, this mark is probably engraved on the back of the clasp. The jewelry may also include a small piece of metal with an engraved mark. Finally, look for the widest part of the jewelry.

If your jewelry doesn’t have any markings, it’s probably not a precious metal.

Edward Lewand

Gemologist & appraiser

Edward Lewand is a trained gemologist & appraiser with over 36 years of experience in the jewelry industry. He completed his gemological studies at GIA in 1979, New York and now specializes in real, antique and heritage jewelry consulting and certification. He is an appraiser with the American Association of Appraisers (AAA) and a senior appraiser with the American Association of Gem and Jewelers.

Edward Lewand
Gemologist & appraiser

Consider both the color and weight of the jewelry. If you have the opportunity to compare platinum and silver, it is easy to tell the two apart. Platinum has a much higher density than silver, so it will be heavier. Also, platinum isn’t really white – gray is more accurate.

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Find the silver jewelry identification mark. Some coins and jewelry are engraved with the number “999.” This mark indicates that the jewelry is made of pure silver ^{[1] X Source of Research} If the jewelry is engraved with the number “925” with the word “” S” is before or after it is sterling silver. Sterling silver is an alloy of 92.5% pure silver and another metal, usually copper. ^{[2] X Research Source}

For example, the “S925” mark engraved on the piece of jewelry indicates that it is sterling silver.
Pure silver jewelry is quite rare, as pure silver is soft and easily damaged. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

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Look for other markings that identify platinum jewelry. Platinum is a very rare and expensive metal, so all platinum jewelry is stamped with authenticity. Look for the words “Platinum” (platinum) “PLAT,” or “PT” before or after the numbers “950” or “999.” These numbers indicate the purity of platinum, where 999 is pure. ^{[4] X Federal Trade Commission Trusted Source Go to Source}

For example, a piece of real platinum jewelry might be marked with “PLAT999.”

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Check the magnet on the jewelry. Most precious metals are non-magnetic, so if you place a magnet near the piece of jewelry it won’t move. However, if your platinum jewelry reacts with the bar magnet, don’t panic. Pure platinum is a soft metal and is often mixed with another metal to form a harder product. Cobalt is a fairly hard metal and is commonly used in platinum alloys. Cobalt is mildly magnetic, so some platinum jewelry may react with the magnet. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Platinum/cobalt alloys are usually marked with PLAT, Pt950, or possibly Pt950/Co. ^{[6] X Research Source}
The most common metal used to harden sterling silver is copper – which is non-magnetic. If you have sterling silver jewelry engraved with the 925 mark but are attracted to the magnet, take it to a reputable jeweler to have it checked for authenticity.

Use an acid test kit

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Use an acid test kit to test hard-to-identify jewelry. If you can’t find any identification marks and aren’t sure of the origin of the jewelry, you can use an acid test kit to determine what metal it is. Purchase an acid test kit from an online retailer or at a jewelry store. The test kit includes a whetstone and several vials of acid.

Buy a test kit that can test both silver and platinum. The metal name is on the label of the acid vials.
If there are no gloves in the test kit, you should buy more. Acid will burn your skin if you let it get on your skin.

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Rub the jewelry into the stone. Place the black stone on a flat surface. Gently rub the jewelry against the stone in a back and forth motion to create a line. ^{[7] X Research Source} Rub 2 or 3 marks on the slab or each for an acid to be used. For example, if you want to test platinum, silver, and gold, you would draw 3 lines.

Choose an inconspicuous location of the jewelry to rub against the stone. The surface of the stone will scratch and damage part of the jewelry.
Spread a towel underneath the stone to protect the countertop.

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Apply acid on different metal lines. Select a vial of acid from the test kit and carefully place a small drop of acid on one of the marks on the rock. Remember not to mix acids to avoid affecting the results.

Most test kits have specialized acids for testing silver. However, you can also use 18 karat gold acid to determine pure silver or sterling silver. ^{[8] X Research Sources}
Always wear gloves when handling acids.

Edward Lewand

Gemologist & appraiser

Edward Lewand is a trained gemologist & appraiser with over 36 years of experience in the jewelry industry. He completed his gemological studies at GIA in 1979, New York and now specializes in real, antique and heritage jewelry consulting and certification. He is an appraiser with the American Association of Appraisers (AAA) and a senior appraiser with the American Association of Gem and Jewelers.

Edward Lewand
Gemologist & appraiser

Pro tip: When you want to try platinum, rub your jewelry on the stone, then pour nitric hydrochloric acid on it. If the drawn line is still intact, the jewelry is platinum. If the line is dissolved, it’s not platinum.

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Observe the reaction of the lines with the acid. The reaction can take place in 1 second to 1 minute. If the line is dissolved then the jewelry is not the metal you want to try. ^{[9] X Research Source} For example, if you drop platinum test acid on the line and the line dissolves, the jewelry is not platinum, and if the line remains intact, it is pure platinum.

If you use 18 karat gold acid to test silver, the line will turn milky white. ^{[10] X Research Source} This indicates that your jewelry is pure silver or sterling silver.
If you are still in doubt, try again just to be sure. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Use the test solution directly on silver

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Use silver test solution on large and hard jewelry. Avoid using acid on finely crafted jewelry. Acid will corrode whatever comes in contact with it. If you purchased an acid test kit, use the silver test solution it contains. If not, you can buy silver test solution online or at a jeweler.

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Try jewelry. Pour a little silver test solution onto the metal surface. Choose a hidden spot of the jewelry to try on. For example, if you want to try a wide bracelet, you can drop a few drops of acid on the inside of the bracelet. If you want to try a large and flat necklace, you can put acid on the back of a piece of chain.

Wear gloves to protect the skin of your hands and spread a towel to protect the worktop.
Do not drop acid on clasps or other important parts of the jewelry. Acids can damage small parts of jewelry.

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Observe the reaction. The acid will initially turn dark brown or clear, then change to another color. The new color that appears will indicate the purity of the metal. For example, if the acid turns dark red or bright red, the metal is at least 99% pure silver.

If the solution turns white, the metal has 92.5% silver content, i.e. sterling silver. ^{[12] X Research Source}
If the acid turns an almost green color, the metal you’re testing is copper or another less valuable metal.

Try on hydrogen peroxide jewelry

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Soak the jewelry in hydrogen peroxide. First, pour hydrogen peroxide into a bowl or beaker, then drop the jewelry into the bowl. The jewelry must be submerged in hydrogen peroxide. If not, you have to add more hydrogen peroxide.

You can buy hydrogen peroxide at drugstores.

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Observe the reaction. Platinum is a strong catalyst for hydrogen peroxide. ^{[13] X Research Source} If the jewelry is platinum, hydrogen peroxide will begin to bubble almost immediately. ^{[14] X Research Source} Silver is a weaker catalyst. If you don’t see bubbles right away, wait about 1 minute to see if small bubbles form around the jewelry. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Hydrogen peroxide does not corrode or damage jewelry.

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Wash jewelry thoroughly. Rinse jewelry under cold running water to remove hydrogen peroxide. Remember to close the sink to prevent jewelry from entering the drain. Wait for jewelry to dry completely before wearing.

Advice

If you are still unsure of the authenticity of your jewelry, have it checked by a reputable jeweler.

Warning

Keep acids and acid test kits out of the reach of small children. Acid can burn the skin and cause death if swallowed.

Steps