A Guide to Identifying Gold, Silver, and Other Metals with a Keychain Magnet

These neodymium keychain magnets are strong – much stronger than regular refrigerator magnets. This makes them perfect for testing metals in jewelry and coins.

Understanding Metal Types

Ferrous Metals (Magnetic):

• Iron, nickel, steel, cobalt
• WILL stick to your magnet

Non-Ferrous Metals (Non-Magnetic):

• Gold, silver, platinum, copper, brass, aluminum
• WILL NOT stick to your magnet

HOW TO TEST JEWELRY

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Hold the magnet close to the jewelry piece (about 1 inch away)
2. Watch what happens – does it pull toward the magnet?

What the Results Mean:

✅ Magnet DOES NOT attract the jewelry:

• Good news! It could be real gold, silver, or platinum
• These precious metals are non-magnetic
• Note: This doesn’t guarantee it’s real – some fake jewelry also uses non-magnetic metals

❌ Magnet DOES attract the jewelry:

• The piece likely contains iron, nickel, or steel
• It’s probably not pure gold, silver, or platinum
• It might be gold-plated or silver-plated over a cheaper metal

Important Tips:

• Test the main body of the jewelry, not just clasps or screws (these often contain magnetic metals even on real jewelry)
• White gold may show slight attraction because it sometimes contains nickel
• Mixed alloys (gold or silver mixed with other metals) might react weakly to the magnet

HOW TO TEST COINS

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Hold the magnet near the coin OR tilt the coin at an angle and slide the magnet across it
2. Watch for any attraction or sticking

What the Results Mean:

✅ Coin DOES NOT stick:

• Likely made of copper, silver, gold, or aluminum
• Could be a valuable or collectible coin
• Most U.S. pennies (copper), dimes, and quarters (copper-nickel) won’t stick

❌ Coin DOES stick strongly:

• Contains iron, nickel, or steel
• May be a modern coin or foreign currency
• Some counterfeit coins use magnetic metals

Why Use A Magnet to Test Coins?

• Check for counterfeits – Fake coins might be made of different metals than the originals.
• Identify valuable coins – For example, a 1943 U.S. penny that is NOT magnetic may be a rare copper penny worth thousands of dollars.
• Sort collectible coins – Some collectors use magnets to separate coins by metal content.

Coin Examples

• U.S. pennies (before 1982): Mostly copper – won’t stick
• Most U.S. nickels: Made of 75% copper and 25% nickel (not enough nickel to be magnetic)
• Silver and gold coins: Pure silver and gold coins won’t stick at all – they are not magnetic
• Steel pennies (1943): Will stick strongly
• Many modern Canadian coins: Nickel-plated steel

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

⚠️ This is a quick screening test, not a final answer

For valuable items, you should also:

• Get a professional jeweler’s opinion
• Use acid tests for precious metals
• Check the weight and density
• Look for hallmarks and stamps (like “925” for sterling silver or “14K” for gold)

Why This Works

The Science: Gold, silver, and platinum are naturally non-magnetic. If something claiming to be these metals sticks to a magnet, it contains other metals mixed in or is plated over a magnetic base.

These neodymium magnets are strong enough to detect even small amounts of magnetic metals that weaker magnets would miss.

⚠️ DANGER – NEODYMIUM MAGNET SAFETY WARNING

KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN

This product contains a high-power neodymium magnet. IT IS NOT A TOY. Not suitable for children under 14 years of age.

⚠️ SWALLOWING HAZARD – LIFE THREATENING

IF SWALLOWED, MAGNETS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

• Small magnets can pose a choking hazard
• If multiple magnets (or a magnet and metal object) are swallowed, they can attract to each other through intestinal walls
• This can cause intestinal blockage, perforation, blood poisoning, and death
• Symptoms may not appear immediately and can be mistaken for common illness

IF MAGNETS ARE SWALLOWED OR INHALED:

SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION – even if the person appears fine. Tell medical personnel that magnets were swallowed.

⚠️ PINCH HAZARD

POWERFUL MAGNETIC FORCE – CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY

• These magnets are extremely strong and can snap together with great force from several inches away
• Fingers, skin, and other body parts can be severely pinched or crushed between magnets or between a magnet and metal surfaces
• Can cause blood blisters, cuts, broken bones, and crush injuries
• Always handle carefully and keep magnets separated when not in use

ADDITIONAL WARNINGS

• Keep away from pacemakers and medical devices – can interfere with operation
• Keep away from credit cards, electronics, and data storage devices – can cause permanent damage
• Magnets are brittle – can chip or shatter if allowed to snap together; wear eye protection when handling
• Supervise older children – even teens can be seriously injured

SAFE HANDLING

✓ Handle one magnet at a time
✓ Slide magnets apart – never pull directly
✓ Store magnets separated with spacers
✓ Keep in original packaging when not in use

By using this product, you accept all risks and agree to keep it away from children and follow all safety precautions.

Happy Testing! Use your magnet to explore the world of metals around you.

Download This Guide in PDF Format

A Guide to Using a Keychain Magnet to Identify Gold and Silver (PDF)

Where to Buy Envistia/EnMagnet Neodymium Keychain Magnets

12mm (~1/2 inch) Diameter Pocket Keychain Magnet at Envistia Mall

Large 21mm (~0.8 inch) Diameter Pocket Keychain Magnet at Envistia Mall

Extra-Large 28mm (~1.1 inch) Diameter Pocket Keychain Magnet at Envistia Mall