ie. silver platinum white gold etc.
2006-10-19 22:49:00 · 4 answers · asked by exxa007 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
luster, color, hardness, magnetism, tendency to fracture, um... i'm drawing a blank, but there's a lot more.
If you don't want to damage the piece then I'd take it to a geologist.
2006-10-19 23:21:52 · answer #1 · answered by Brooks B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try density. You will need the weight (accurately measured on a scientific scale) and volume (displaced water perhaps using a detergent to avoid surface tension effects?). Density is weight per volume and is unique to different metals.
2006-10-20 07:31:44 · answer #2 · answered by Kes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Either a "streak plate", if you know Mineralogy, a chemical analysis, or look at the specimen under a microscope.
2006-10-20 10:07:24 · answer #3 · answered by Wee W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take them to a jeweler.
2006-10-20 06:09:26 · answer #4 · answered by cooperman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋