Silver is not magnetic, not even with the strongest magnet. However, silver is diamagnetic. If you hold a silver coin at 45 degrees a suitable magnet will slide down it slowly. This is because the moving magnet sets up an 'electrical field'* that slows its fall.
Look for the 925 marking.Genuine sterling silver jewelry will be marked with these three numbers or STERLING or STER. Hold a magnet to the silver. If the magnet sticks, your jewelry is not real sterling silver. Smell the sterling silver.If it smells strongly metallic, then your jewelry is not real sterling silver.
No, silver is not magnetic. Test your jewelry with a strong magnet. Slowly move the magnet closer. If your piece snaps to the magnet, then it is not true sterling silver.
In their pure, natural forms, gold, silver, aluminum, copper, brass, and lead are not magnetic. This is because they are all weak metals. Adding iron or steel to these metals can make them stronger and magnetic.
As mentioned above, it's important to use a strong neodymium magnet when testing gold or silver for purity. We usually recommend using a 1/2 x 1/8 Inch N42 Disc Magnet.
If it's real gold it will not stick to the magnet. (Fun fact: Real gold is not magnetic.) Fake gold, on the other hand, will stick to the magnet.
The Magnet Test
Most precious metals-like gold and copper-are nonmagnetic, and silver is no exception. Grab some magnets and see if they are drawn to your object. "Silver is not noticeably magnetic, and exhibits only weak magnetic effects unlike iron, nickel, cobalt, and the like," says Martin.
Alternatively, use a drop of vinegar (which is highly acidic) on the scratched piece. If it's real silver, the surface won't get tarnished.
Real sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver; the most common alloy used to harden it is copper, and neither of these metals is magnetic. Often a clasp is made of something different that may be magnetic, but if the chain you describe sticks to a magnet, then sadly it is not “sterling” and should not be marked “.
Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver. In this form the metal is beautiful and suffers from minimal tarnish, but it's generally too soft and malleable for many uses, including making most silver jewellery. Instead fine silver is alloyed with copper to create sterling silver, which is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper.
Silver is a very reactive metal. It loses its original shine because it chemically reacts to your physical composition and environment. Sweat, sickness or a boozy weekend can all change your body chemistry causing your silver to turn black. A light polish with your cloth usually takes it away.
The Lighter Test
Choose a rather inconspicuous area of your jewelry piece for this test. Heat that area moderately with a lighter and watch the reaction. A dark black stain means the metal is authentic silver. You can do the same test with two matchsticks.
Products often can be mistaken as silver if they are silver plated, or in other words made with a different metal (iron, cobalt, or nickel, copper, brass, stainless steel, among others) and then applied a silver silver layer over it, in that case you will need to be more careful with the use you give to them, since ...
Nickel silver, also called German silver, is considered to be silver because of the finish of the metal. Most nickel silver materials are bright and shiny, which causes them to look much like silver.
Metals such as silver, gold, titanium, platinum, palladium, stainless steel, zinc, pewter, copper, aluminum, and tungsten are not magnetic. However, iron, nickel, steel, and cobalt are magnetic. A magnetic test will help narrow down the type of metal your jewelry is made from.
Hold the magnet to your items
Gold is not magnetic so if the magnet attracts the jewelry, your item does not contain solid gold, silver or platinum.