An Ionic Silver Test is used to determine whether a silver solution is truly colloidal (made of silver nanoparticles) or mostly ionic (dissolved silver ions). While both contain silver, ionic silver is often less stable, less effective in health applications, and can pose higher risks if consumed long-term.
Why Test for Ionic Silver?
Many silver products labeled as “colloidal” are actually mostly ionic. Testing helps verify:
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The quality and purity of the silver solution
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Whether it’s safe for ingestion
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Whether it’s a true colloidal silver product (like Mesosilver)
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If it contains bioavailable nanoparticles or just silver ions
How to Test for Ionic Silver (UK Options)
1. TDS Meter (Not Reliable for Colloids)
A Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) meter measures conductivity, which ionic silver increases. However, it cannot detect nanoparticles, so it’s not suitable for testing colloidal silver.
Not recommended as the primary test.
2. Laser Pointer Test
Shine a laser pointer through the silver solution in a dark room. If it contains nanoparticles, the beam will be visible due to the Tyndall effect.
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Visible beam = colloidal silver (nanoparticles present)
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No visible beam = likely ionic silver
3. Salt Test (Chemical Precipitation)
Add a small amount of table salt (NaCl) to the silver solution.
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If the solution turns cloudy or forms white precipitate, it’s ionic (silver ions react with chloride to form silver chloride).
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True colloidal silver will not react or show only minimal change.
4. Lab Testing (UK Labs)
For precise results, send a sample to a UK analytical lab that tests nanoparticle content and ionic concentration. Look for labs offering:
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ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry)
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DLS (Dynamic Light Scattering) for particle size
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UV-Vis Spectrophotometry for absorption patterns
Labs in the UK offering such services may include:
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ALS Global (UK)
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Element Materials Technology
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Alpha Laboratories
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LGC Group
Search locally for “colloidal silver particle testing” or “nanoparticle content analysis UK.”
There are DIY silver test kits available online in the UK via platforms like:
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Amazon UK
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eBay UK
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Health supplement stores
Look for kits that detect silver ions specifically or come with chloride-based reagents for salt tests.
Conclusion
If you’re in the UK and want to ensure your silver supplement is truly colloidal and not just ionic, start with a laser pointer test and salt test at home. For accurate results, send your sample to a specialized UK lab. Always choose products that are lab-tested, clearly labeled as true colloidal silver, and manufactured by trusted brands.
