How to distinguish gold-plated products from gold ones if they have the same 916 standard? How to make the right choice, based not on purely external merits, but on accurate knowledge of the cost of precious metals?
When buying jewelry, I look at the mark. Although artistic features are of primary importance to me, I don’t want to miscalculate the price when purchasing: it must correspond to the quality of the precious metal from which the ring, chain, spoons, and dishes are made.
The hallmark 916 can be found on silver and gold items, and abroad gold of this composition is defined as 22 carats.
There is a simple piece of worldly wisdom: objects made from high-quality material (along with other jewelry) can be sold if necessary. They will be an inheritance, useful in the house.
This also has a direct bearing on numismatics. My friends successfully sold silver coins minted in the USSR at a critical moment for the family. But if they knew what standard their asset was, the deal could have been more profitable.
916 standard what kind of metal is it: gold or gilded silver
916 standard can refer to both gold and silver. This is due to the fact that previously silver objects were often covered with gold, which is why they were considered gold. The metal corresponds to 22 carats or 88 spools.
The alloy was actively used even in pre-revolutionary times. Today masters practically do not use it.
The sample is not a modern alloy established by GOST.
It was used to make dishes, family jewelry, and other ritual items in the USSR, Spain, Portugal, Finland and other countries.
Composition and characteristics
916 silver was one of the purest alloys in the USSR, as it contained more than 91% pure noble metal. Due to the extreme plasticity of the metal, it cannot be used without impurities. To enhance strength, 8.4% copper is added to the composition. Sometimes the alloy is supplemented with nickel.
Relevance of jewelry
Currently, the jewelry business is very widespread throughout the world and in our country (zhazhda.biz). Every year the number of salons and stores selling jewelry made from precious stones increases. The most common and sought after metals are silver and gold. In Russia, silver is used to make chains, rings, rings, bracelets, watches, cutlery, and so on. They are not very strong metals by nature. Therefore, they are rarely used in their pure form. Most often, silver is used together with other metals in the form of alloys.
Substances that are added to the composition during the manufacture of this or that jewelry along with silver are called ligatures. Typically, non-ferrous metals such as copper, aluminum, and zinc are used. They give the product strength, corrosion resistance and good appearance. In addition, you need to understand what a silver sample is. It is like a passport of the product, that is, it indicates its quality. Let's take a closer look at what 916 sample is.
What does the mark on products look like?
Silver with hallmark 916
The first measurement system that Russia used at that time was the spool system. But it was replaced by metric with the advent of the new government of the USSR.
At first, precious items were branded with a hallmark consisting of numbers, and there was always an imprint of the worker’s head next to it.
Another variant of the mark on such products is a star with a hammer and sickle, which were then Soviet symbols. Next to the sample, a letter symbol was placed indicating the district in which the silver item was made.
How to distinguish from a fake at home
Determining whether or not the silver is in front of you is quite difficult, but there are a number of methods that will help you.
The first method is a magnet. Since silver is not magnetic, it should not react to a magnet. However, this method may fail if a metal exhibiting magnetic properties was used as the alloy.
Also, when purchasing, pay attention to the brand. For sample 916 it will be a star with the sample number. The mark itself looks like a barrel. Moreover, if the decoration contains two parts, then the mark must be on both.
Properties such as thermal conductivity will also help determine the authenticity of silver. If the product is immersed in hot water for a couple of seconds, it will immediately heat up. If this does not happen, you are not looking at silver.
Another popular method is chalk. If you run it over the product and the surface of the chalk begins to darken, then the product is genuine.
Sample cost relative to exchange price
The price of precious metals on the market changes quite often. Over the past ten years, 916 brand could be sold for 20-40 rubles per gram. On the stock exchange the price is set as per troy ounce. Recently, prices have been constantly changing, but the upward trend in cost continues, as can be seen from the graph:
916
silver – price per gram of silver:
| The price for 999 samples set by the Central Bank | Price of silver on the market | Buying scrap | Retail price of silver in jewelry |
| 61 ruble | 55 rubles | 50 rubles | 64 rubles |
Antique appraisal of old silver
When assessing, professionals take into account many factors, such as year of manufacture, weight, type of product, and preservation of appearance. So for an antique silver ring with the hallmark 916 weighing about 7 grams. the owner can earn at least 2 thousand rubles. Most often, antique items are not accepted by pawn shops or the sample is valued too cheaply.
Samples of red gold, their interpretation
The fineness of a metal indicates the percentage of its pure part: the higher the fineness, the more gold it contains.
900 gold has not been used for a long time, even as an investment, since the material weighs little without impurities.
The best option for making gold jewelry from red raw materials is considered to be 585 standard, which contains 58.5% pure raw material per 1 kg of finished alloy.
A notable fact is that the karat system does not have the 947 standard. The remaining options always have analogue calculus.
How to properly store and wear silver
Products made from any precious metal require special care and proper storage. Only proper care will help maintain the attractive appearance of your silverware. The metal must be periodically wiped with a flannel or suede cloth.
It is important to avoid using abrasive substances for cleaning, which can not only destroy the material, but also leave scratches on the surface.
Vintage 916 brand jewelry should be worn with extreme caution. It is best to limit the contact of rare items with water, moisture and sweat. Dark fabric bags that can be hermetically sealed or special boxes are most suitable for storage. It is important to keep only items of the same grade together.
Application of this alloy
If silver of low grades is used mainly for the manufacture of cutlery, dishes, and household items, then grade 916 is a material not only for jugs or enamel cups, but also for jewelry.
Silverware has always been considered a wonderful wedding gift. Small objects made of this metal, which have bactericidal properties, are given as gifts for the birth or christening of a child. As a rule, this is a dessert, tea, or coffee spoon. There are vintage pieces on the market that are wonderful in design.
TOP 5 ways to clean antique silver
Proper use of silver cleaners will preserve its appearance for a long time. Precious antique items are stored for decades and inevitably become covered with plaque and rust, which only spoil the impression. To restore antique items to their former luxurious appearance, you can use special modern products or turn to a specialist for help. But you can also use methods designed for home cleaning. The best methods are:
- Dentifrice. Suitable for cleaning small jewelry without stones. You need to stock up on tooth powder, a soft brush and a small amount of water. Place the powder in a small container, add a few drops of warm water to it, mix well to form a paste. Use a brush to collect the resulting paste and rub the product well. After thoroughly working the surface, leave for 5-10 minutes and then simply rinse under running water. Once cleaning is complete, it is important to rub the silver with a cotton cloth.
- Lemon acid. You need to pour water (1 l) into a container, add citric acid (1 tbsp). This is where the precious metal goes. Depending on the contamination, you need to leave the items in the solution for 5 to 20 minutes. If necessary, you can scrub the surface with a soft bristle brush. After cleaning, place the products in a soda solution for a few minutes, this will help interrupt the reaction. The silver is then washed, dried and rubbed until shiny.
- Ammonia. Used for cleaning small items with varying degrees of darkening. You will need a tall container (bottle) with a wide neck. It is enough to add a few tablespoons of ammonia per liter of liquid. Close the bottle and shake to mix the solution well. Now antique jewelry is placed there for 15 minutes. After this time, you need to drain the solution and rinse the items several times.
- Soda plus foil. For half a liter of water you need to take 2 tbsp. soda, boil. Place several small pieces of foil and silver into the container and leave for 10-15 minutes. Afterwards, the precious metal is washed and wiped dry.
- Salt solution. It is not able to clean heavy soiling, but it will easily remove light deposits and restore the original shine to jewelry. You need to boil half a liter of liquid, add 1 tbsp. l. salt and soda. Immerse the silver in the solution for 15-20 minutes, then rinse under running water.
Recommendations for care, cleaning and storage
Caring for any silver product must be thorough. There are modern sprays and aerosols with a special composition. They can also clean it in a workshop. At home, dark plaque can be easily removed in this way:
- wash in warm soapy water;
- clean with a soft cloth with a mixture of ammonia and chalk;
- rinse with warm water and wipe dry.
Once upon a time it was suggested to rub silver with tooth powder. There are two more ways to refresh your silver items:
- rinse in warm water with baking soda (50 g per 1 liter of water);
- rinse in warm soapy water with ammonia (1 tablespoon per 1 liter of water).
But there is nothing better than the old method of gently rubbing silver surfaces with a piece of wool or suede. You will have to spend a lot of time, but the effect is wonderful.
Also watch a video on how you can test silver at home:
Reviews
At home there is a plate that resembles a golden-colored candy bowl with an unusual stamp 916. I didn’t think it was precious until I found the stamp. I don’t know how valuable it is, but I’ve decided not to get rid of it yet. First, you need to thoroughly clean the plate from many years of plaque.
Svetlana K., Moscow
Rita L. g, Samara
I love vintage things. I often find interesting items on Avito, in antique shops. The latest acquisition was 916 silver coffee spoons made in the USSR. The seller was in Moscow, as for me the price was relatively low for such products. But I haven’t fully learned how to correctly navigate the cost yet.
My grandmother gave me a box with a beautiful silver table set. On the surface I found the stamp 916 and a head print, but I still didn’t understand what year it was released. I found information online that the impurities in this alloy are only 8.4%, which is quite unusual. Inside there was a booklet with tips on care and cleaning from the manufacturer. Some recommendations are much better than current methods.
Lydia I. g, Ivanovo
Properties of this metal
As mentioned above, nowadays this sample is used very rarely, mainly for the manufacture of cutlery. In terms of its physical and chemical properties, it is practically no different from 925 sample. It contains 91.6% pure metal, and the rest is copper. It is this that gives it strength. This silver is characterized by excellent anti-corrosion properties and has a silvery-white color. This alloy melts quickly and easily and can take various forms, making it suitable for jewelry production. Such decorations are very durable and retain their original appearance for a long time, that is, they are resistant to abrasion. Now this sample can appear in the production of enamel-coated cutlery. When buying this or that product, you may not be purchasing silver at all, but a fake. At the same time, you need to remember that it is not magnetized, is subject to deformation under strong pressure, is durable and there must be a sample on it, and if the product consists of several parts, then it must be on each of them.
