whats the simplest cheapest way to find out if a coin or bracelet is real palladium as oppossed to plated or another metal?
Hmm, well for starters find the purity of the bracelet... next see how much palladium weighs per unit(gram, ounce) see if it the weight matches...
with all due respect if the bracelet was stamped I wouldn't ask this question. Is there another way to test palladium vs plated or another metal for a bracelet based on something like a ring test for silver or a solution one can buy or something of that nature.
Yes, of course, I forgot the nature of the question, my apologies.... That is the only way I know of, I done a search but came up with nothing.Closest thing I found was this...seems a little dangerous though. http://www.goldnscrap.com/index.php...presence&catid=25:scrap-gold-9k-24k&Itemid=20
Palladium ( .950) has the same appearance ( to a non jeweler) and specific gravity as 14k white gold, so amateur determination relies on using a loope carefully, looking for indications ( stampings) as to Pt., Plat., etc. If the bracelet doesn't have any letters ( such as previous or 14k, etc.) it would have to be taken to a jeweler for correct determination. There are some electronic testers that usually use differences in heat conduction of metals and gemstones that a shop may have. Palladium has not been used as a solid jeweler metal too long ( and mainly rings), and in old jewelry was a fill metal that was often plated. Unless you find indications it is a pure metal, Sp. Gr. or weight willtell you nothing for certain. Jim
thanks, I will try the solution zach24 gave me in a few days. if I am unable to gather all my required materials and perform the procedure I will just take it to a jeweler.
weigh it, then get a graduated cylinder. Put 20 ml of water in it. Put bracelet in and note the new number of ml. Say the bracelet weighs 8.37g and raises ml to 23.1. volume of object = 23.1 - 20.0 = 3.1 ml density = mass/volume = 8.37 / 3.1 * 1000 (for conversions) = 2700 g/L Specific gravity is defined as the ratio of the density of a given solid or liquid substance to the density of water at a specific temperature and pressure, typically at 4°C (39°F) and 1 atm (760.00 mmHg) , making it a dimensionless quantity so Specific gravity = 2700 / 1000 = 2.7 specific gravity for palladium is 12.02, so the bracelet would not be palladium in this case.
The stannous chloride method would require dissolving some of the jewelry piece in acid first, and if plated, it would turn a positive also. This would not be what you want as it would be damaged.
thanks for the heads up. I will take my bracelet to a jewelers shop in a few days. Thanks again for the help
Sorry for bumping this old thread But it might be useful. SnCl2 test detect metal ions+ in solution as mentioned above. A quick and easy test for palladium metal could be done with tincture of iodine (the same one bought at the drug-store) Drop one drop on the tested metal surface. If it turns very dark black after 10-15 minutes, it is palladium 950-100. This test will not tell you if it is plated or not though. To eliminate this option, you will need to file the metal somewhat and then apply the tinctue drop.
