Pawn Shop Owner Claims Silver Bar from Provident Metals is a Fake

[Silver76]

Recently I ordered from Provident Metals a quantity of their silver prospector 1 ounce bars. My sibling bought three of them and took one to Hudson Valley Jewelry and Loan in Nyack, New York. I spoke to the employee in the store who said the bar was tested with acid and is not silver, he also says he tested the acid against real silver (all this in front of my sibling) to demonstrate that the acid was good. Should the bar in question be taken to another dealer?

What is the best course of action here? I'm skeptical about the pawn shop (he also said this bar is a common fake, from what I know it is a pretty recent issue) but nonetheless need to investigate this. It seems highly unlikely that Provident would be selling fake bars, I've never read or heard of any issues with this company and have always been very comfortable with their service. I have sold their coins and bars at local dealers (both gold and silver), never had an issue.

Measured one bar I have at home, 50.1 mm long, 29.13 mm wide, depth is hard because it is a raised edge. Weight was 31.24 Grams.

[Silver Piranha]

ofcourse it should be taken to another dealer.

[JM_Silver_Addict]

Did you try a magnet or water density tests? If it was me I'd be curious as hell and just cut it in half.

[Silver76]

Did you try a magnet or water density tests? If it was me I'd be curious as hell and just cut it in half.

I did the magnet test also put an ice cube on it, it immediately melted, ring test sounded good as well. Haven't done the water density yet, if I have time I'll try and do that this evening.

I do have an acid testing kit but will it tarnish the silver? I've only used it on gold to date.

[JM_Silver_Addict]

I did the magnet test also put an ice cube on it, it immediately melted, ring test sounded good as well. Haven't done the water density yet, if I have time I'll try and do that this evening.

I do have an acid testing kit but will it tarnish the silver? I've only used it on gold to date.

Honestly I think it's fine it came from a reputable dealer but if you really are curious it's only an ounce cut it in half.
Acid test is a waste if you are only testing the surface as I've seen fake pandas pass the acid, the best way to acid test is to drill half way through the item and test both the shavings and item.

[Silver76]

Honestly I think it's fine it came from a reputable dealer but if you really are curious it's only an ounce cut it in half.
Acid test is a waste if you are only testing the surface as I've seen fake pandas pass the acid, the best way to acid test is to drill half way through the item and test both the shavings and item.

Right, I'll keep you guys updated...

[jayjay]

Hmmm. "Hudson Valley Jewelry and Loan." Now there is an authoritative expert on silver. The acid test is not very accurate, in fact it is almost worthless.

[joeinnj]

Gee, another thread whacking one of the reputable dealers (the other thread JMB was selling fakes).
Tell em to saw it open ………..
When / If my sell day comes > Do as you want ……You break it you own it …. who cares, what’s the difference.
Splatter acid all over my holdings and just say “sorry”? Don’t think so no.
(Believe acid test for Silver it’ll turn green also BTW)

Then again, I wouldn’t at all be surprised to one day find out all these endless Private Mint Bars, Rounds, “Strikes” are not .999 Silver yet actually assay lower.
They’re IMO no different than buying Joe’s Garage “.999 Silver” aka: Buying From Amateurs.
(I’ll try not to go into my forever spiel of Coins and Coins only but then again, “You get what you pay for” & “Garbage in, garbage out”)

[Silver76]

Gee, another thread whacking one of the reputable dealers (the other thread JMB was selling fakes).
Tell em to saw it open ………..
When / If my sell day comes > Do as you want ……You break it you own it …. who cares, what’s the difference.
Splatter acid all over my holdings and just say “sorry”? Don’t think so no.
(Believe acid test for Silver it’ll turn green also BTW)

Then again, I wouldn’t at all be surprised to one day find out all these endless Private Mint Bars, Rounds, “Strikes” are not .999 Silver yet assay lower.
They’re IMO no different than buying Joe’s Garage “.999 Silver” aka: Buying From Amateurs.
(I’ll try not to go into my forever spiel of Coins and Coins only but then again, “You get what you pay for” & “Garbage in, garbage out”)

Not trying to whack the dealer, I like Provident. I'll have my sibling take it to another location for testing, if they say it is fake, we will have it cut in half.
This is a private mint bar but Provident is a ISO9001 facility and I've sold many of their products to stores that do their own tests, none have ever failed.

[JM_Silver_Addict]

ASE's and AGE's all start their life from Sunshine Mint......