Looking for fakes

I think silver is way overpriced and I may be putting my money towards a different investment. This different investment may be the next craze to hit the market. What I am talking about is called German Silver. If you think this is the most silly topic you've ever discussed I guess you haven't been browsing around here much because there have been conversations (not from me but different users who I could name but won't) that make this look like we're in a meeting with a room full of wealthy oil and banking investors.

I too am scratching my head at those who have bought these bars for over the spot price for an oz of silver. I just want to own one to own one, I think they're neat and like I said, they're affordable.

 

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I apologize I did not mean to call you a troll. I know you are a highly respected user. I guess we have different views. I should have respected your opinion more. Please forgive me.

 

One scam I heard from a local shop owner worked this way, a couple of young men came into the shop with a gold coin they wished to sell, the hired help did the test and made the standard offer, the young man demurred and pocketed the coin, his friend started to talk to him to change his mind, the guy reluctantly agreed to sell, pulled the coin back out, took the money and they left, the coin was switched though, the original coin went with them.

 

Kind of impressive in a scum bag hope they get caught type of way.

 

I heard about something similar a while back, but had forgotten. Thanks for the reminder.

I've also heard that there are some chemicals that will react with nitric acid: base metal dipped into those will give a false read. So, it is a good idea to dunk silver in filtered water before doing the acid test.

 

Yes - a gold dealer here in the UK got caught with a switch like this a few years back - on a whole bag of scrap gold. Lost several thousand pounds.

Also on the testing of fake silver - a lot of pieces over here are being sold with quite a thick silver plate. Be sure to file before testing as otherwise they will test positive.

Look out for Nevada Silver too - another name for a Nickel Alloy.