RARE EARTH MAGNET for testing silver.

[jnkhntr]

I don't recall anyone on this forum sharing info on Rare Earth Magnets {Neodymium magnet}. I was selling a necklace marked .925 at Renniger's flea market in Florida when the potential buyer tested it with a rare earth magnet. The REM would not pick the necklace up but there was a very obvious draw. The magnet owner informed me that refiners would only pay a very small percentage of spot on it because of the lack of purity. I have since learned that these magnet are useful for testing silver coins, rounds, bars, etc. Very often items marked 925 have this draw while it is rare for a piece marked sterling. There are some useful videos on youtube about these. I like learning about things like this and am hopeful the the brain trust on this great forum will have something to add.

 

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[TreasureHunters]

Like this?Super Strong Disc Round RARE Earth Neodymium Magnets 10x1mm N35 Craft Model | eBay

 

[jnkhntr]

Like this?Super Strong Disc Round RARE Earth Neodymium Magnets 10x1mm N35 Craft Model | eBay

Yep, the one I bought is rectangular.

 

[TreasureHunters]

link to one like you bought? so you can basically bring it with you hunting and test for silver?

 

[capt-zero]

You can scavenge two out of a ruined hard drive.

 

[jerseyben]

I don't recall anyone on this forum sharing info on Rare Earth Magnets {Neodymium magnet}. I was selling a necklace marked .925 at Renniger's flea market in Florida when the potential buyer tested it with a rare earth magnet. The REM would not pick the necklace up but there was a very obvious draw. The magnet owner informed me that refiners would only pay a very small percentage of spot on it because of the lack of purity. I have since learned that these magnet are useful for testing silver coins, rounds, bars, etc. Very often items marked 925 have this draw while it is rare for a piece marked sterling. There are some useful videos on youtube about these. I like learning about things like this and am hopeful the the brain trust on this great forum will have something to add.

You very well may have had a necklace marked 925 that was not actually composed of sterling silver but I do believe the buyer was "BS"ing you. Did they try to offer you a small amount of money for it after that explanation they gave you? You really can't determine the amount of silver in an item marked 925 based on how strongly a magnet pulls on it. The magnet test is a good one but for jewelry it can be tricky.

 

[capt-zero]

This issue has been touched on, without resolution, here before. I have several pieces marked "sterling" that have a magnetic attraction. My dealer won't touch them. Several of them are made by reputable manufacturers. Does some "sterling" have a ferrous alloys that cause attraction to magnets?

 

[leadnugget]

this is something i put together some time back. its unsightly but very functional.
its a neodymium magnet from a hard drive hot glued to a 10x and 20x loop.
i have found that i don't use it much for jewelry at the point of sale as i only buy super cheap and in bulk when i can. pulling out a loop at a sale might have the sellers rethinking what they are selling and the items might get pulled or the price might go up if they see you using a loop. had it happen.
it has a loop of string that i can carry it under my shirt if needed.
its very handy if your looking for solid copper or brass scrap items. if you can get them cheap they can pay for gas.
one warning, these are very powerful and should be kept away from electronics and credit cards as they can erase the info on them.

 

[Shambler]

A jewelry buyer that failed science. The other 7.5% is obviously paramagnetic and reacts slightly to a neodymium magnet. If it was ferrous (even 7.5%), it would stick to a magnet of that strength. My guess is it's probably just nickel, zinc or something else paramagnetic being used to strengthen the silver. If they use just copper, as is the standard, a small neodymium magnet would probably not "pull" it. Worst case scenario they do the math for the copper part of the spot value and not give you that .18 cents.

 

[leadnugget]

i once found a nice 14k gold chain that had those magnetic easy on/off clasps on it. it was the only part that was magnetic.
the estate company's often sort bulk jewelry with a powerful magnet.
so sorting with a magnet not always a good idea.

 

[trdhrdr007]

Most necklaces have a steel spring in the clasp. It's entirely possible that the magnet was attracted to that.

 

[jnkhntr]

Most necklaces have a steel spring in the clasp. It's entirely possible that the magnet was attracted to that.

This attraction was mid-necklace , not near the clasp. The rest of the story. I took this to a legit refiner who pays 85% of spot for silver and 95% of spot for gold. He offered only $9 for this 48.1 gram necklace because he also tested with a rare earth magnet. I did not sell to him. I sold it at the Flea Market as a necklace asking $30 and settled for $25. I bought it for $1 so all ended well. Thanks for all the wisdom folks.

 

[trdhrdr007]

I'm glad you made out with this piece. I totally understand checking with a magnet as a preliminary test. However, a slight attraction by an extra powerful magnet doesn't mean the necklace is worthless. It's probably a good idea to follow up with an acid test to get a better idea of the composition of the alloy.

I buy a fair amount of silver. My policy is that if the item doesn't meet my tests I don't buy it*. If my preferred method of testing was by magnet & it failed the test I wouldn't offer a fraction of it's value, & I'm somewhat suspicious of someone who would.

* - I will buy an item if I don't have my test equipment with me or if my test is inconclusive, if it's at a yard sale or the like for really cheap($1).

 

[biggmike]

These magnets are incredibly strong and a very small amount of the other metals in .925 will react sometimes. The magnet test is only one test that should be done but the acid test is better. Be very careful when using acid or magnets. I have seen them shatter when two magnets were placed to close to each other and connected with force. I use mine as a quick test for silver or gold. If the item has a strong attraction to the magnet no further testing is necessary. (not real) If no attraction or very little attraction then further testing is necessary. BTW... If gold attracts (other then the "spring" type clasp) even slightly I would be very concerned that it is not real.

 

[N.J.THer]

I have a small gold hearts necklace and earring set that is marked 10K and has a slight magnetic attraction. From what I'm reading here there maybe some value to it anyway. The price on the back of the box is $119. I purchased it in a lot of junk jewelry that had a very heavy 14K mens ring (not junk) for $2. Sold the ring for a quick $200 which I'm sure now that I could have got much more for. I was blinded by easy money and sold it to the first pawn shop I saw...lol. I'll have to revisit the necklace set.

NJ