Precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum are non-magnetic. They are not attracted to magnets because they lack ferromagnetic properties.
In order to determine if the jewelry you are looking at is magnetic or not, you can perform a simple test. A strong magnet can be used to brush over the surface of the piece.
Gold
Gold is a precious metal with the atomic number 79. It is one of the least reactive elements and can be found in many jewelry and coin making applications.
Copper is a non-magnetic element that helps generate electricity in power plants. It can be alloyed with other metals to make a wide variety of materials, including brass.
Silver is another non-magnetic metal that can be used in making jewelry. It can be made into a variety of styles and colors, and it is also hypoallergenic.
If you want to test the authenticity of your silver, you can use a small magnet to see if it sticks to the surface. If it does, then it is likely a fake. If it does not, then it is likely genuine.
Silver
Choosing the right jewelry metal for your project involves a variety of factors. These include artistic choices, allergy awareness and financial considerations.
Generally speaking, gold, silver, copper and brass are all non-magnetic in their natural forms. However, these metals are often alloyed with other materials to make them stronger and magnetic.
If you are unsure whether your jewelry is made from precious or non-precious metal, try brushing it with a magnet. If the magnet sticks, it’s made from a ferrous (iron-containing) metal.
Another way to tell if your jewelry is made from precious or non-precious silver is to check its weight. Precious metals are more dense than other metals, so they tend to weigh more than you might expect given their size.
Copper
In their natural, unalloyed forms, gold, silver, aluminum, copper, and brass are not magnetic. However, they can be made stronger and more magnetic by adding iron or steel.
Copper is a ductile metal that is widely used in hardware, electrical conductors, and utensils. It is also resistant to corrosion and rust.
Brass is another ductile and highly malleable metal. It is commonly found in electrical conductors, piping, and couplings.
Copper and brass alloys have a wide range of applications in electronics, telecommunication, circuitry, and countless other uses. They are known for their high electrical and thermal conductivity.
Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, two non-magnetic metals. It has a number of uses, including decorative pieces, corrosion-proofing, and low-friction applications.
Brass comes in a variety of colors, including bright gold-like brass and silver-colored brass. It can be made into a variety of shapes, and it is tarnish-resistant and rust-proof.
It can also be cast to produce bronze sculptures and statues. Its ductility is superior to that of most other alloys, and it has been used in casting for thousands of years.
Alloy 260 is one of the most common brasses used worldwide, due to its unique copper-to-zinc ratio. It is a popular choice for a variety of different applications, and is less susceptible to dezincification, a type of corrosion where the zinc dissolves over time.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is an alloy of iron and chromium that is used in a variety of products. It is resistant to rust and staining, and is used for kitchenware, cutlery, surgical instruments, hardware, appliances and industrial equipment.
Several types of stainless steel are commonly available. They all have different atomic structures and chromium concentrations.
However, not all of them are magnetic. The defining factor of magnetism in stainless steel comes down to the type of microstructure it has.
Martensitic and ferritic stainless steels are magnetic, while austenitic stainless steels are not. This is because these metals have different atomic structures, which means they have different concentrations of chromium and nickel.
