New theory on whetstones was [Regia-NA] an introduction

[Sudden Service #5]

Hej! Pete,
    As a jeweler I would tend to discount this theory, but I'll test it out.
The color of fine silver (.999) & sterling (.925) are too close to tell
apart, the hardness is also not far off if you heat treat the silver.  If
you add more copper to the silver it would change the hardness quit a bit,
but it shouldn't change the color much unless it is a whopping large amount
of copper (I'll try this out at the school tomorrow).  You are also looking
at a substantial change in color in your sample if it get exposed to an
acidic compound-like ammonia or body oils.
Pax,
Olaf
----- Original Message -----
> Hi.
>
> Coming late to this thread but I have heard another theory. The small
> stones may have been used to compare the purity of silver offered to the
> owner.
>
> Apparently if (first thing in the morning) you mark your stone with a
> piece of silver of known purity, you can compare the mark made with
> another made by a silver item offered by a trader.
>
> If the marks are the same the purity is the same, if not, buyer beware !
>
> Pete