Posted 7 years ago
lentilka11
(278 items)
Interesting stuff, I would like to ask experts who have knowledge about acid tests for help with these earrings.
They were part of a lot I purchased online ( you can see it on the 2nd photo). I thought the earrings might be deco and egyptian revival.
There is some yellow patina on them and they are from solid metal, they are heavy. Not magnetic. No markings. I would say the hooks are not the same metal, maybe a newer addition.
Now comes the interesting part: I thought they might be silver, so I acid -tested them, and for the fun tested them for 10k gold and platinum as well, together with other pieces. 10k gold and platinum acid dissolves the metal, but really slowly. Especially the acid for platinum. After maybe 3 minutes part of metal was still visible, it disappeared, but slowly, maybe after 5 minutes.
So what can the metal be, 8k gold ? (unfortunately I dont have 8k acid) Low content of platinum? Rhodium? Or some other metal content that does react so slowly with acids?
What do you think about earrings age?
Lovely antique earrings, esp love the gypsy style w. dangles
Thank you Newfld! Glad you like it!!
When an item is genuine gold or silver, the mark will stay on the touchstone. Non-precious metal marks will disappear or can simply be rubbed away. These chandelier type earrings resemble designs from India, in my opinion. I'm pretty sure they are just a base/pot metal. I also think there were probably stones in them once upon a time as I see what looks like a single red stone in one earring.
Thank you Efesgirl for your opinion!!
There is no stone in the earring, this is just some old dirt. There are no stones. Bad photo, my fault.
About the disappearing marks, it was interesting for me because I have read somewhere that when 10k acid dissolves something really slowly, this can mean that the metal is 8k. However, I am no expert with acid tests.
Thank you for the India origin hint! Interesting.