Key Takeaways:
• Pure gold is not magnetic. It is weakly repelled by strong magnets because it is diamagnetic, which is the opposite of what you would see with iron or steel.
• Karat gold alloys can behave differently. Small amounts of metals like nickel, cobalt, or iron in jewelry parts or solders may create a weak magnetic response.
• A magnet test is useful, but it’s not adequate proof of authenticity. Comprehensive inspections should also factor in weight, hallmarks, and construction details.
Gold’s reputation has created a myth that a magnet will always separate real gold from fake gold, but that isn’t the case. Karat gold blends gold with other metals. Those extra metals, plus hidden springs and solders, can make a piece jump to a magnet even when the main body of it is authentic gold.
Scientists classify gold as diamagnetic, which means that strong magnetic fields exert a slight repulsive force on it, rather than attracting it closer. The effect is very insignificant. In this guide, you’ll learn what “magnetic” really means, how different alloys behave, how to test the metal, and what American Hartford Gold has to offer when it comes to bars and coins.
What Does Magnetic Really Mean?
When someone says a metal is magnetic, they might picture iron snapping to a magnet. That behavior is called ferromagnetism, and it is only one of many ways metals interact with magnetic fields.
Gold sits on the opposite end of the spectrum. It is diamagnetic and pushes away from strong magnets. However, the push is so slight, it’s unnoticeable without lab tools.
Some non-gold metals are not ferromagnetic, but they still react in ways that your bare hands cannot detect. Copper, silver, and aluminum will not cling to a magnet, but they aren’t identical to gold either. This is why professional tests consider multiple factors.
Gold’s True Behavior
Diamagnetism means a material develops a tiny magnetic field opposite to an applied magnetic field.
Put simply, gold repels magnets. If you placed a pure gold bar near a strong laboratory magnet, the metal would drift slightly away. The effect is subtle because gold’s electrons shift only a little when the magnetic field passes through.
You would not feel this shift with a pocket magnet, and you definitely wouldn’t see a strong push like you do with other magnets. This weak response is helpful in a way — if a strong magnet pulls what is meant to be a pure gold bar, that could be an indicator that a piece is inauthentic.
Something inside of it is not behaving like gold should. It could be a steel core or another ferromagnetic metal. You would still need to consider weight and other factors to be certain, but a firm magnetic attraction does not align with the physics of pure gold.
What To Know About Alloys and Magnetism
Paramagnetic materials are weakly attracted to magnetic fields. Many metals fall into this group, including some elements used in jewelry alloys and solders. Ferromagnetic materials, such as iron and many grades of steel, exhibit a strong magnetism.
If even a tiny ferromagnetic part is hiding in a clasp or pin, a magnet will find it and pull it in. Karat gold is an alloy that blends gold with other metals. Most of those other metals are not entirely magnetic, but trace amounts of ferromagnetic contamination in certain components can cause a magnet to be attracted to them.
For example, a spring steel insert inside a clasp, a tiny stainless steel screw, or even a drop of ferromagnetic solder can make an otherwise nonmagnetic piece jump. That is not necessarily proof that the entire piece is fake, but it is a sign that construction details matter.
Which Way Is the Right Way To Test?
The best approach is a visual inspection with a magnet check and an assessment of weight, hallmarks, and other key details.
Remember, an at-home test is not meant to replace professional evaluation. If a result seems off, or you want to be 100% certain, you can consult with a jewelry professional. They are able to run more precise tests.
Begin with a rare-earth magnet. Hold the magnet near the piece, but don’t drag it along the surface. You are looking for either a decisive snap or a clear lack of attraction. If the magnet grabs firmly, stop and check its components for steel parts.
Test different spots on the piece, especially clasps, hinges, and chains near joint points where hidden springs might lie. If there is no attraction, note the hallmark and overall feel. A nonmagnetic result is consistent with gold, silver, and copper, so a test alone cannot prove purity.
You can perform a simple slide test for nonmagnetic metal. Hold a magnet at an angle on a smooth aluminum or copper surface and slide a coin or small bar beneath it. Good conductors create eddy currents that slow the motion under a strong magnet.
Can a Magnet Test Be Misleading?
The most common false positive comes from steel springs inside lobster and box clasps.
These parts require springiness that gold alloys do not provide, so manufacturers tuck a tiny piece of steel spring inside. A magnet will find it instantly. You can even see the clasp jump a little, which may lead some to believe the gold piece is fake, but that isn’t always the case.
Another issue arises with multilayer construction. Gold-plated or gold-filled items have real gold on the surface over a different type of metal. If that core is ferromagnetic, the magnet will stick even though the surface isn’t.
Vermeil typically has a sterling silver core and a thicker gold layer on top. This would not create a magnetic snap because silver is not ferromagnetic.
Construction Details That Trick a Magnet
A piece of jewelry is like a machine. It has moving parts, mixed solders, and pieces of hardware. Those pieces can bring ferromagnetic metals into the design even when the main body is karat gold. Knowing where engineers hide those bits helps interpret a magnet’s reaction properly.
Clasps, Springs, and Solder
Clasps rely on springs to open and close. The strongest, most reliable springs are typically steel ones. Box clasps, safety clasps, and certain earring backs use similar springs and pins. A magnet will find them and pull them close. The rest of the jewelry piece is not likely to react.
Jewelers also often use solders with a lower melting point than the surrounding gold. Most modern solders are not very magnetic, but older repairs or cost-effective shortcuts can create a magnetic response.
You can sometimes see a faint halo of color at a solder joint, which is an indicator of a different composition.
Plating, Vermeil, and Gold-Filled
Gold plated items are a thin layer of gold over a base metal. If that base happens to be steel or another ferromagnetic alloy, a magnet will snap to it. Many plated items are made of brass or copper, which do not stick, so the magnet helps shed light on what might lie underneath.
Gold-filled pieces are a thick gold jacket bonded to a base metal, typically brass. This structure often remains nonmagnetic since brass is not ferromagnetic. Vermeil carries a sterling silver core with a thick gold layer, which also doesn’t react to magnets.
Get Quality Gold Bars and Coins With AHG
Gold’s minimal response to magnets is part of what makes it special. Now that you know how pure gold behaves and how alloys, clasps, and cores can affect the bigger picture, you can perform a magnet test confidently without leaning on it alone.
At American Hartford Gold, we offer a variety of authentic gold coins and bars. Gold has been known for centuries as a reliable way to store wealth, and this remains true today. So whether you’re looking to secure your first piece or protect the value of your savings with a Gold IRA, we can help.
FAQs
Is pure gold magnetic in any normal situation?
No. Pure gold is diamagnetic and will push away from strong fields.
Why does my gold chain’s clasp jump to a magnet?
Many clasps hide a steel spring insert. It is magnetic and included to make sure the clasp functions properly.
Does white gold stick to magnets more than yellow gold?
Not typically. Palladium-based white gold is nonmagnetic. Some nickel-based white gold alloys may have minor pull, but it wouldn’t be detectable without specialized lab equipment.
Can a magnet test prove a coin or bar is authentic gold?
A magnet test can flag problems quickly, but it can’t prove purity on its own. Consider weight, dimensions, and other specifications for a more accurate result.
If my ring is attracted to a magnet, is it fake?
Not necessarily. The main body may be pure gold, while a clasp, spring, pin, or solder contains a ferromagnetic metal. Test different areas and consider other factors before deciding.
Sources:
Diamagnetic, Paramagnetic, and Ferromagnetic Materials | Iowa State University
