Identify Pure Silver with Mustard

• 1). Apply French's brand yellow mustard to the surface of the item you suspect is silver. French's mustard has a high sulfur content; sulfur reacts with pure silver, but not with most other metals.
  
  
• 2). Heat with a cigarette lighter. Observe the stain left on the metal. If it is pure silver, it will be dark black.
  
  
• 3). Clean the stain by rubbing it with a cloth soaked in vinegar.
  
  

Identify Pure Silver with Matches

• 1). Place the head of a match on the surface of the metal.
  
  
• 2). Light a second match. Place the lit match tip on the head of the first, unlit match.
  
  
• 3). Examine any marks left behind. Pure silver will have a dark black stain; other metals will not. Remove the stain by cleaning with vinegar.