A savvy student's find at a thrift store has sent the internet into a frenzy and racked up 7 million views on TikTok.
Millie, from Melbourne, Australia, (@millieandchloeofficial) can be seen in footage rifling through a clear bag filled with jewelry that she purchased from a thrift store for about AUD$10 ($6).
Within seconds, the 19-year-old comes across a silver bangle that looks extremely dirty, but she can still see the engraving, which says T&Co. – which stands for Tiffany & Co. After washing it, the excited teen searches for the bangle that has the digits "1837" and "925" imprinted on it.
Millie, who doesn't wish to share her surname, told Newsweek: "I am going to keep it."
During the clip, which has 748,600 likes, Millie explains that she and her mom are "99 percent sure, it's real."
She then appears in front of an eBay screenshot of the same item that is being sold for $209 and then another for about $500.
The "925" hallmark signifies that the item contains 92.5 percent pure silver, a standard known as sterling silver, according to Physical Gold, one of the UK's leading online gold bullion suppliers. Millie continued to carry out an ice test - a simple and non-destructive method to verify the authenticity of silver by utilizing its excellent thermal conductivity.
Physical Gold's website states that silver conducts heat better than many other materials, causing ice to melt quickly when in contact with it. This rapid melting is a key indicator that can help distinguish real silver from other substances.
How to Test Silver at Home
It couldn't be any easier, according to this step by step guide provided by Physical Gold, based in London's Hatton Garden district.
- Place Ice on the Item: Set an ice cube directly on a flat, exposed surface of the metal item. Simultaneously, place another ice cube on a surface away from the metal for comparison.
- Observe the Melting Time: Watch how fast the ice melts on the silver compared to the control ice cube. Genuine silver will cause the ice to melt much quicker due to its high thermal conductivity.
Another way to do it is with the help of a magnet, as silver is a nonferrous metal and doesn't contain iron, making it non-magnetic.
- Hold the Magnet Close: Carefully approach the item with a magnet, ensuring not to scratch any delicate surfaces by maintaining a slight distance.
- Observe the Reaction: If the item does not attract the magnet, it suggests it is genuine silver. However, if there is attraction, the item may be made of a magnetic metal or alloy, indicating it is not pure silver.
What Do the Comments Say?
The TikTok video, captioned: "Did i really find a TIFFANY AND CO bangle??? The thrift gods [are] looking after me so well," has over 1,830 comments.
One user said: "When she put the Tiffany bangle down I heard it and immediately knew it was real."
"The Tiffany bangle!!!!" says one comment with 31,600 likes.
A third commenter said: "The bangle how do u always get lucky these things."
Newsweek reached out to Tiffany & Co. for comment.
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Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Lucy Notarantonio is Newsweek's Senior Lifestyle and Trends Reporter, based in Birmingham, UK. Her focus is trending stories and human ... Read more
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