It seems I must clarify my recommendation to Todd on using Specific 
Gravity (SG) Testing on metal objects in a museum setting.  SG testing is a 
much-used tool in the field of numismatics and museums with numismatic 
collections (e.g. American Numismatic Association's Money Museum, American 
Numismatic Society, Smithsonian and the British Museum) to determine the 
alloy content of numismatic materials.
    SG testing is an invaluable tool to help museum staff conduct their 
research as it pertains to the minting of numismatic objects, ascertain 
validity of an object and ensure the object is properly catalog with the 
correct materials listed.  While SG testing is commonly used for numismatic 
materials in museum settings, I firmly believe it could also be used for 
smaller metal objects such as jewelry, figurines etc.
   I have notice that many have stated SG testing had no place in a museum 
or historic setting…I would vehemently argue against that assertion.
   If all else fails…we can ask the Creation Museum for their opinion.



Erik J. Heikkenen





>From: Margaret Geiss-Mooney <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Metal Testing Kit/specific gravity testing 
>limitations
>Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2007 12:14:17 -0700
>
>Good afternoon fellow MuseumLers - I also note that the specific gravity
>equipment only has a weight range of up to 50 grams and actually uses 
>either
>"tap water" or "stream water" as the fluid. So David's concerns are
>completely valid for historic/museum metal objects. Even the website
>mentions that the metal must be "pure". How many of the metal objects will
>be "pure"? Isn't that what the volunteers are trying to determine? I don't
>think specific gravity will be much help for most metal objects in a
>historic/museum setting.
>Regards,
>Margaret (Meg) Geiss-Mooney
>Textile/Costume Conservator
>Professional Associate, AIC
>[log in to unmask]
>
>
>I would just gently observe that dunking any object or artifact into
>"mineral water" is not excatly non-intrusive, and since myself and my
>colleagues in conservation spent a lot of energy and time in advising
>people NOT to expose their objects to elevated moisture RH let alone
>water, this would obviously conflict with that. So, I think that specific
>gravity might first seem to be an attractive
>approach but not for historic and museum objects.
>
>On 6/28/07, Erik Heikkenen <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >    How large of an object is it?   If it is small, (e.g. coins, jewelry,
> > etc).  I would recommend a basic Specific Gravity test.  You can 
>purchase
>a
> > smaller Specific Gravity Kit at most "rock shops" or online at any lab
> > supply website.
> >     Specific Gravity testing is non intrusive and you will not damage 
>the
> > objects, they will however, get wet, with mineral water, so take that 
>into
> > consideration.  And remember to dry the objects properly (pat dry not
>rub).
> >
> > Here's a helpful link: http://www.mineralab.com/Specific%20Gravity.htm.
>
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