Materials we Purchase
Tin
Tin is a non-magnetic, low-melting, silvery-white, shiny metal. It is soft, very stretchy and makes a “crunching” sound when bent. Also called the tin scream.
In the past, tin was mainly used for tableware or as decorative objects. Modern use is in the area of electrical soldering, as well as in the tinning of food-safe canned goods or in medicine.
When identifying tin, there is a risk of confusion with the materials lead and zinc. The difference between the materials is easy to see upon close inspection. Tin can be easily bent and forms “bumps” which means it doesn’t break. Lead, on the other hand, does. In addition, lead is relatively heavier than tin and zinc. Unlike tin or lead, zinc cannot be bent and does not break.
Silver-plated Cutlery
You can often tell the difference between real silver or silver-plated cutlery by looking at the stamp. Silver-plated cutlery, if it is well silver-plated, is usually hallmarked 90, 100 or 150. The base material is usually brass, copper, zinc or nickel, which has a fine layer of silver. The silver plating of the cutlery takes place in several galvanic baths, whereby thin layers of fine silver are deposited around the immersed cutlery items. Silver-plated knives must be distinguished from other silver-plated cutlery due to their stainless steel blade and filled handle. The purchase price of silver-plated knives is therefore lower.
Silver
Silver is a shiny white precious metal that is even used in medicine due to its antibacterial properties. Because silver conducts electricity and heat very well, it is needed for the production of electronic components, electrodes and electrical contacts. Silver is even used on burn victims in the form of silver ointment or silver dressings.
Silver has the element symbol Ag (Latin: Argentum). The quickest and easiest way to recognize silver is by its hallmark. The most common hallmarks are 925 (sterling silver), 900, 835, 800, 750 and 625.
If there is no hallmark, you can use various silver testing methods to find out whether it is silver or not.
Gold
Gold has the element symbol Au (Latin: Aurum). The ease of processing combined with its high resistance make gold one of the most sought-after metals in the jewelry industry. Gold is also used for the production of reflectors for satellites, in the electrical industry, and in dentistry (filling and replacement material for missing or defective teeth). The most common hallmarks are 986, 916 (22 carats), 900, 750 (18 carats), 585 (14 carats), 375 (9 carats), 333 (8 carats).
