Any Help appreciated! Damaged silver doing silver acid test!!

I just did a silver acid test on a pin and bracelet and the acid left a mark!! Yikes!! I did not know this. If anyone knows a way to remove this mark let me know But I think it actually damaged the silver e.g. ate away at some of it. I can't believe this. I think I
just damaged this piece. I am glad I realized this before I ruined more pieces!! No more acid testing for me!!

 

Yep, acid testing leaves as mark as it dissolves some of the metal. Normal silver polish will remove the mark.

You will have to polish the back a bit now, but this is a normal consequence of testing with acid, nothing to worry about, you've not done any significant harm.

 

Thank you so much. I really felt bad. I did not know this and I let the drop of acid sit on for some time. All I have is connoisseurs dry disposable jewelry wipes. I hope the fact that these wipes didn't eliminate the mark doesn't mean anything. I will buy silver polish tomorrow.

 

I believe that's exactly why when you buy the kit, you also buy the 'stone' to put the acid onto, NOT the piece you are testing!!! Fortunately as @Ce BCA indicated, no damage done to this piece!! Lesson learned early!!

 

You should never put the drop directly on the piece.
There should be a scratch stone with your test kit.
Why did you do it this way?

 

Thank you for asking this.
Am I doing this wrong?
The company that sold me the acid test kit included directions which stated to test for silver put a small notch deep enough to cut through any plating and apply a drop or two of the acid solution. Wait 20 to 30 seconds. There was NO warning-- e.g. do not leave on too long will damage piece. The directions state the acid will turn different colors to indicate the grade of silver. For gold, the directions say to rub on stone and then apply acid to stone where mark is. I even wonder if vigorous rubbing on stone could damage the gold. Yikes.

 

You gently create a mark with your item on the stone.
Rub firmly, but gently, just enough to deposit the metal on the stone.
Then apply a small drop of the acid to the streak, and look for the result. The red color occurs for testing silver. The streak will dissolve when testing for gold.

Here are three threads where we discuss acid testing.
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/i...esting-gold-results-can-i-look-at-mine.58923/

https://www.antiquers.com/threads/question-about-acid-testing-gold.56480/

https://www.antiquers.com/threads/squeamish-about-scratching-gold-jewelry.55169/

 

Thank you. First, thank you for helping me not ruin jewelry. Those threads were very helpful. The main point--which is very helpful for me-- is to be very gentle when scraping stone so you don't damage piece.

In one thread they suggested leaving the acid on the mark for 15 minutes. Do you suggest doing that.

I think the directions assumed that the silver had a plating on it and one had to "file a small notch" through the plating. But it did say to apply acid on piece where filed--very disappointing.
Again thank you very much

 

I think 15 minutes is far too long. You should see red color developing within seconds when doing silver testing. Assuming your acid is fresh.
I think filing a notch is rather aggressive, and I have never done testing that way.
Perhaps that would be better used for serving pieces rather than jewelry.
If you read through the threads, you will see that you need to get a feel for acid testing. You may get results that are not clear cut. Sometimes silver purity might be 900 or 850. Then the test color will be more of a rust color, rather than red.
Keep trying, and good luck. And remember, acid can get old and may need replacing about once a year.

 

Ok not only did I mess up with the silver testing, but I also stained my hands yellow and brown from the acid a few days ago and they are still stained. Do you happen to know any way to get this off my hands. No more acid testing for me!!

 

The yellow stains will wear off soon, another few days.
The acid burns too, I guess you found that out the hard way!
Don't be discouraged! If you are into collecting jewelry like I am, acid testing is very helpful!

 

Thank you for taking the time to post such useful information for this thread. I really learned a lot--most importantly not to put acid directly on the silver pieces!! I wish I knew all this before I did the testing. Also, thanks for your words of encouragement: maybe instead of giving up -- I'll just take a "testing time-out."

 

Wear rubber gloves and have a bowl with baking soda and water solution nearby to neutralize the acid.

 

Thank you for this excellent advice. I hope you don't mind if I just ask--- I am not sure what I use the bowl of baking soda and water for? Do I put it on the jewelry to wipe off the acid? If I do this again, I will not imitate the experts on the Youtube videos who do Not wear gloves Thank you for your time.