Posted 4 months ago
Stillwater
(80 items)
Found a new belt buckle to wear! Its an early one, 1920's-30's. I love how primitive and TARNISHED it is, exactly the kind of thing I look for. Only paid $35 for it too... What a steal!
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Hi Stillwater, I know this doesn't belong here, and I am sorry to bother you, But I had a question about testing the silver with the acid. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions then you could delete this? THanks!
No problem, what's up?
Well, I got the silver tester, I guess it is by JSP. It is a very very red color. I tested a few things and I am getting different colors. I tested the candelabra in two different places, and I get a blood red reaction. Like right away. Some of the other things I have tested vary, but they included blue, green, white and black.
What colors should I be looking for? Do I really need to scratch the surface? I think the candelabra is sterling, it is the only really really red reaction I got!
I actually updated the posting with the color of the test. Can you take a look and tell me what you think? All three places turned this same blood red color, this was done on the inside of the base.
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/80062-old-candelabra-help-needed
How long do you leave it on there? Let it sit for like half a minute, if it turns red, then blue and bubbly, its plated. Its kind of dark, I can't really tell. What you really should do is take a file or a knife and go down a good ways on an edge somewhere. If this kind of thing was sterling, it would be marked. A lot of jewelry is unmarked, but flatware, holloware, candlesticks, things like that ALWAYS are.
Blue is a copper indicator, green is supposed to be lower purity silver, never read what black is but its no good, I have some fake coins that turn jet black. Basically, if it turns blood red or dark red, its good. Any other color is a no-go.
Hey stillwater, thanks for getting back to me. As far as the candlestick goes, I took a knife and scratched down real deep on the back of the base. I put the drop on and it turned deep dark red within 30 seconds.
There could be a mark somewhere on this base, I am STILL polishing away the tarnish. They only thing I know is that it turned Blood red 4 times. all with scratching deep.
And its marked "chrome plated century?" No sterling anywhere?
No sterling mark. It says
"CENTURY
Chromium Plated"
No sterling mark yet!! Lol, There are other markings on the bottom side of the base. I cannot make out what they say because of the heavy tarnish. I have been polishing for weeks and cannot get the black tarnish off. Tonight I will take a toothbrush or soft brush to the underside and post some really good pictures for you. I don't want to waste anyone'e time. Thanks for your help Stillwater.
No problem!
Not sure if you saw the final pictures of it....Just in case you're interested
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/81241-candelabra-endgame-photos