Specfic Gravity testing is a commonly used method used by numismatic 
curators and major museums with numismatic collections...museum objects.  
With that being said...Todd, talk with your Registrar and Curator to 
determine the best approach for testing.






>From: David Harvey <[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
>Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2007 10:44:05 -0700
>
>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.
>
>Some specific concerns. Mineral water is often effervesant and
>contains dissolved CO2.  Carbon Dioxide in water forms carbonic acid
>and thus makes the water acidic. Also mineral waters often contain
>dissolved minerals and their ions in solution, such as sulphur, again,
>not a compound that is good for metal objects. Also, be mindful that
>corrosion often initiates in the micro-cavaties and crevices in a
>metal object's surface, and even though you may have dried the object
>with a cloth, there is still trapped water that can be the source for
>corrosion to initiate. To thoroughly dry a metal object you either use
>a chemical to dewater it or use sufficient heat to evaporate it off,
>both techniques that invovle some measure of experience and skill.
>
>So, I think that specific gravity might first seem to be an attractive
>approach but not for historic and museum objects.
>
>Cheers!
>Dave
>
>David Harvey
>Conservator
>Los Angeles, California
>
>
>
>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.
>>
>>
>>
>>Erik J. Heikkenen
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> >From: Todd Bothel <[log in to unmask]>
>> >Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>> >To: [log in to unmask]
>> >Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Metal Testing Kit
>> >Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2007 10:22:01 -0400
>> >
>> >Does anyone know of a metal testing kit that can help determine what 
>>type
>> >of
>> >metal an object may be made of? My collections cataloging ladies don't 
>>know
>> >that much about the different types of metals (and I confess, I'm not 
>>that
>> >knowledgable either) and want to be able to put down something more
>> >specific than metal on the catalog sheet.
>> >
>> >Thanks.
>> >
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