For this purpose a cold saturated solution of potassium bichromate in pure nitric acid of 1.2 specific gravity is employed. After the article to be tested has been treated with spirit of wine for the removal of any varnish coating which might be present, a drop of the above test liquor is applied by means of a glass rod and the resultant spot rubbed off with a little water.

A testing solution of potassium bichromate, 1 ounce, pure nitric acid, 6 ounces, and water, 2 ounces, gives the following results on surfaces of the metals named:

Metal.

Color in one minute.

Color of mark left.

Pure silver

Bright blood-red

Grayish white

.925 silver

Dark red

Dark brown

.800 silver

Chocolate

Dark brown

.500 silver

Green

Dark brown

German silver

Dark blue

Light gray Scarcely any

Nickel

Turquoise blue

Copper

Very dark blue

Cleaned copper

Brass

Dark brown

Light brown

Lead

Nut brown

Leaden

Tin

Reddish brown

Dark

Zinc

Light chocolate

Steel gray

Aluminum

Yellow

No stain

Platinum

Vandyke brown

No stain

Iron

Various

Black

9-carat gold

Unchanged

No stain

The second column in the table shows such change of color as the liquid—not the metal—undergoes during its action for the period of 1 minute. The test liquid being then washed off with cold water, the third column shows the nature of the stain that is left.

In the case of faintly silvered goods, such as buttons, this test fails, since the slight quantity of resulting silver chromate does not become visible or dissolves in the nitric acid present. But even such a thin coat of silver can be recognized with the above test liquor, if the bichromate solution is used, diluted with the equal volume of water, or if a small drop of water is first put on the article and afterwards a little drop of the undiluted solution is applied by means of a capillary tube. In this manner a distinct red spot was obtained in the case of very slight silvering.

A simpler method is as follows: Rub the piece to be tested on the touchstone and moisten the mark with nitric acid, whereupon it disappears. Add a little hydrochloric acid with a glass rod. If a white turbidness (silver chloride) appears which does not vanish upon addition of water, or, in case of faint silvering or an alloy poor in silver, a weak opalescence, the presence of silver is, certain. Even alloys containing very little silver give this reaction quite distinctly.

Pink Color on Silver

To produce a beautiful pink color upon silver, dip the clean article for a few seconds into a hot and strong solution of cupric chloride, swill it in water and then dry it or dip it into spirit of wine and ignite the spirit.