Best way to positively ID brass?

[discovery_bound]

Hello all. My mom called me today and inquired about some old light fixtures she came across and was wondering how to tell if they are brass or something else. I told her to see if a magnet sticks to it.....if it sticks, then it's probably coated steel. Is that correct?? If it's not magnetic, then is it for sure a brass piece? i don't think she's looking to scrap it,, but probably going to try and sell them and wants a proper identification. Any and all help is very appreciated, thanks!

Also, on another note, is it worth scrapping an old water heater? I'm guessing just take it apart and seperate the different metals?

JW

 

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[Dosamigos]

I have been wondering about the brass thing too. I took the cord on a "brass" lamp but passed on the lamp because I doupted it was truly brass. (the lamp itself had no monetary value)

As a learner I only take copper or brass fittings from the water heater but I think there is a rod inside the heater that has some value.

 

[hyderconsulting]

You are correct about the first test to check it with a magnet. If it is magnetic then it is steel or iron and not brass. If it is a brass coating on top of another metal then the underlying would probably be diecast. Brass is worth more than diecast. As a rule when another metal is coated with different metal the visible coating is a more valuable metal, for example silver on top of copper in silverware. The next test would be to make a light scratch somewhere on the bottom of the lamp where it is not visible to see if it is a brass coating. Keep in mind that there are essentially only two metals yellow in color. One is gold and the other is brass (and bronze). Another thing to keep in mind is that sometimes there is a combination of metals in an item but colored or coated all the same color so check all metal parts in the lamp to see what's what. Regards, Chris Hyder.