How To Test Silver With A Magnet - Cascade Refining

Edit: In the video we said silver is paramagnetic. It is not. What we meant was diamagnetic. We apologize for the incorrect information!
Learn how to test silver at home with a simple magnet. Neodymium magnets are very powerful. We use the magnets that come out of old hard drives but you can also buy these types of magnets online. By sliding the magnet back and forth above the piece of silver we can see if the item is paramagnetic.

[@JeffPittman]

Best vid I've seen on this topic. No acid needed!

[@r.d.ontheroad-1094]

Great job, I learned something today! Thanks, Rick

[@debramaxwell9797]

OMG. That was the longest 4 :37. Ever. I'm still ( no words) thank you for sharing. Now, I know how to tell. Again thank you. Have a blessed Day.

[@rogerb5615]

Very useful test method. Thanks for sharing!

[@tarun3138]

great job man ...very helpful review

[@kayeninetwo3585]

Thanks for the tip! Very helpful.

[@messageboardusamessageboar1477]

Ty. I learned from you and from the comments!

[@longwing2011]

Thank you for your tip and knowledge.

[@susanbehring3401]

Great information.

[@stevenartascos2918]

Excellent information, thank you very much.,... 👍

[@thecheekykeacharitabletrus9189]

Awesome video, thank you! I've been trying to figure out whether the stock I buy for our fundraising stock is really silver or just silver-plated, and I was getting really confused because it was responding to the magnet but not snapping to it. Now I understand why! Do you have any other pro tips on testing small jewellery items for purity? You can never trust suppliers these days. Half the time they'll advertise something as being 925 Sterling, but when you ask them what percentage of silver they use and what their alloy is they'll either be honest and cheerfully tell you it's 60% silver 40% copper (not sterling silver), or lie and say it's 100% silver (also not sterling, since sterling requires an alloy metal).

[@edgeygaming9831]

Great video 👍🏽

[@my_no_1_americanbulldog580]

Very helpful thank you. 👋

[@boramora525]

Very good video 👍👍🌻🌻

[@doitbysutat3624]

Thank you 👍

[@mzzzol]

Wow! thanks a lot.

[@nyg1984]

I have a cuff that’s marked 925 with EP stamped underneath. It reacted like sterling to the magnet test and turned red with the acid test which is positive for sterling. Somehow that EP marking leaves me a bad little taste, since most of the time EP means electroplated. Couldn’t find many silversmiths with EP as a hallmark that their style would match the design of the cuff.

[@johnhini7177]

super info many thanks...sound test also works on silver and 22 karot gold coins ...not so much 24 karot..

[@dannyriddle9147]

Thank you very helpful

[@jeanined9060]

Interesting video! Thanks! I've never heard silver is peri-magnetic. Am I correct in assuming silver items will only show this slight magnetism if tested with a neodymium magnet, as opposed to a regular household-type magnet?

[@bradleyjordan5365]

Para*

[@randlerichardson5826]

I have one of the magnets like u said for magnet fishing it’s 408lb pull magnet.

[@JewelsNcrime]

I have a bucket full of jewelry that responses slightly or strong to a magnet, im just hanging on to this stuff until i can understand the science behind it. Also how do i convince my potential buyers my silver is real because soon as they see a slight response, they loss interest.

[@stevesilver7437]

Great fast Test! Thank you thank you!

[@GeorgeBonez]

This is actually a very good silver test in combination or series with other confirmation tests like diameter test (for coins) microscope testing (for engraving) and weight testing for everything but the best test of all is identifying marks and a good knowledge of what you’re buying. You can’t go around splashing acid on everything right? Great vid I thought. There is s better way of using Hard Drive magnets as I’m sure many of you know. Take two hard drive mags and mount them together (pulling towards each other) leaving a slot between them so you can slide a coin through. There should be enough resistance to cause the coin/bar to slide through slowly instead of free-falling straight through or sticking. There is a vid or two out there somewhere that shows how to build this rig with HD mags and it works freakin great. I built this silver test rig and it works much better than angling and sliding on a single mag. Maybe I should make a vid on this?

[@E-BikingAdventures]

"You can’t go around splashing acid on everything right?" Some people in the middle east would disagree with you.

[@charlesritter6640]

Make another one and I'll buy it from you.

[@GeorgeBonez]

Robert Tomkinson lol yup you have a point there!! Omg I lmao when I saw your comment! Lol 😂

[@GeorgeBonez]

Charles Ritter I’ve made 6 or 7 of these rigs for friends but I’m starting to have a hard time finding the right magnets or mags that are on the correct metal mounts. I’ve found that the older the hard drive the better. Let me look to see what I’ve got to work with and if I can do it I’ll be glad to make one for ya.

[@charlesritter6640]

@@GeorgeBonez sounds great George, just Lmk.

[@fabulousfinds1045]

Great video thanks! I thought that if it moved side to side it would also be fake? I had lots of sterling chains that faintly stuck to the magnet - could they still be real?

[@prod.richardjenkins1626]

still real silver, just not pure silver.

[@kenebanks4226]

Do I need to use neodymium magnets or will other types of magnets do the trick?

[@volkankacan184]

Perfect

[@kick-n-itwithshng9223]

I believe I have some of those utensils! Havent tryed using a magnet tho

[@Jeomorfolog23]

Hello, a silvery shiny metal comes out in a stream. But we are not sure whether it is silver or not. Beer reacts to the magnet.

[@arelgr9407]

@The Artist Formerly Known as R.T. please indicate some video or some link, i would like to understand the topic better. thank.

[@WOLF2JAK]

Thanks

[@randlerichardson5826]

So if it moves just a little it’s silver. Thanks for sharing GOD BLESS.

[@mojavegold-]

Very good demonstration! Silver is not actually paramagnetic, however - it is diamagnetic. Eddy currents induced by a moving magnetic field in a highly-conductive diamagnetic material such as silver will create a weak magnetic field in the opposing direction. That is why a Neodymium magnet will "drag" as it is passed over a silver surface.

[@joeyedgren7942]

God point. However I wouldn't only rely on this test. Since copper has the same effect (only it is slightly weaker).

[@awhodothey]

Yeah this test is completely useless. Many copper alloys will do the exact same thing.

[@terripetryszyn6575]

Ralph Livingstone in

[@E-BikingAdventures]

Back EMF is not weak. It can be quit strong.

[@snikrepak]

@@awhodothey your comment is completely useless, copper is not silver, not anywhere close! Learn your periodic elements.

[@gilbertmcdonald4279]

Can you tell me if its silver it has a stamp i bought them for $50 very nice cups

[@trinidadromanillos5453]

Me have a new port gorham silver plate yb 712?

[@MrBubbles..]

i have a old big coin 156 grams of silver Queen elizabeth 2 400 years anniversary falkland islands coin when i try with magnet the magnet moves the coin when its sideways is this normal ?

[@indianarmy6766]

what if theres no marking of any silver but it has all the test proof of a silver quality, is it still a authentic silver or only a silver plated?

[@E-BikingAdventures]

If it's only silver plated, then how could it have "all the test proof of a silver quality"?

[@herbertsusmann986]

Actually paramagnetism is not the reason this works. It all has to do with the electrical conductivity of the metal. Look up Lenz's law. A moving magnetic field induces a circulating current in the metal that tries to oppose the direction of the applied changing magnetic field. Copper is only slightly less conductive than silver so it will show the same effect. The difference may not be noticeable without a more controlled experiment and some instrumentation.

[@E-BikingAdventures]

Faradays law also. Eddie currents creating back emf. You need to pratice in order to detect the slight differences between silver and copper(10%). However, this is a good test for fake silver because good fakes will use silver plated brass and brass is less conductive that pure copper.

[@Justmyopinionlol]

good old silverplated flatware had lots of copper also so this test is kind of useless for older silverplated flatware.

[@nevajism]

very useful info- Question- if its 50% silver will it still behave in this way? would you expect

[@silverestore]

I tried a rare earth magnet with this technique on a small 2" piece of sterling wire, but detected no movement. What do you think I may be doing wrong?

[@awhodothey]

Flatten out the wire and try it

[@E-BikingAdventures]

Bend the wire into a circle making sure the 2 ends are touching and I guarantee it will work.

[@samawada3533]

Well I thought Sterling was a good sign so does Silver move or does it not

[@gilbertmcdonald4279]

I have old wine cups thay look silver i tryed a magnit it didnt stick im not sure if its silver

[@E-BikingAdventures]

Could be silver plated brass. Make a small scratch at the bottom underneath. If you damage it, you can always fix it with duct tape.

[@teddybear1829]

I tried to sell my silver today with a jewler and they said it was fake because it almost flipped with a super strong magnet but didn’t stick?

[@boramora525]

Bravooooo

[@laureningle6457]

Thank You 😎👍🏻

[@boramora525]

شكرا جزيلا From Egypt

[@DdDd-pk4pu]

HI💥DOES IT WORK ON GOLD??

Thanks buddy you A lot thank you very much buddy

[@williamwilson6499]

Cool...

[@TSunshineful]

So if it snaps right up...it's lead or nickel?

[@awhodothey]

No, it's ferrous (iron)

[@E-BikingAdventures]

Most likely it will be steel(iron) Lead is not ferromagnetic. It is not attracted to a magnet.

[@tati001]

How can I tell is something is stainless steel?

[@awhodothey]

Stainless has a very distinct look, may be slightly magnetic, but is never plated.

[@chrish.4686]

@1:34, "Now any time you see the word 'sterling,' it's a good sign; that's what you want to look for..." Actually, that statement is misleading in 2 ways: 1. There are many foreign and even USA (before circa 1868) stamps on silver designating solid silver that don't use the word "sterling" at all. Solid silver also may have no marks at all. 2. Some USA plated ware manufacturers were exceedingly deceptive in naming their companies "Hartford Sterling Co., for instance, and then making mostly or all plate. The word "Sterling" there is actually counter-indicative of solid silver. Also, "Sterling inlaid" is a designation on some plated silver made in the USA that is intended to mislead. It means plated, even though it would easily mislead someone to think otherwise. I'm sorry that this comment got so lengthy!

[@E-BikingAdventures]

Then I guess that's what this video is for.

[@feelnrite]

You can put a magnet on a quarter and it acts the same way so how does this tell you anything?

[@SvPVids]

that hard drive magnet is really strong and would pull a quarter up long before it got less than 2 cm close.

[@feelnrite]

It does not suck the quarter to it but moves it just like the ASE so I don't know how this is a good test.

[@devinasamantha]

I am confused?? So many videos and articles saying that silver is NON magnetic. It shouldnt be moving even the slightest. But in these videos, u are saying that the silver pieces are moving side to side?

[@chensien75]

Silver plated copper will do the same thing by weaker movement

[@arelgr9407]

the magnet test only covers the iron, nickel and their alloys only in high proportions. @Great Moose Detective he is really right, this video application is misleading.

[@E-BikingAdventures]

You don't know what you are talking about or anything about para/diamagnetism, megnetic induction, eddie currents or Back Electro Megnetic Force(Back EMF).

[@bradleyjordan5365]

@The Artist Formerly Known as R.T. Magnetic*

[@bradleyjordan5365]

@The Artist Formerly Known as R.T. Magnetic*

[@arelgr9407]

@@E-BikingAdventures i do not claim to know everything. please indicate some video or some link, i would like to understand the topic better. thank.

[@mrlawrencesanchez7039]

What's wrong with u r volume@

[@mostfamostfa469]

what means s 800 number

[@kostadingarov2493]

Copper coins respond the same way as silver ones doing this test.

[@rickblicks1911]

i just tested usa new coins ,1, 5 ,10, 25, cents magnet does not move or pick any of them ,or my silver eagle

[@janetfennern2745]

what is peepsilver

[@E-BikingAdventures]

Its silver mixed with peep. Peeps are marshmallows sold in the United States and Canada that are shaped into chicks, bunnies, and other animals. There are also different shapes used for various holidays. - Wikipedia

[@charlesritter6640]

@@E-BikingAdventures still making people laugh 10 months later. Thanks

[@simonedwards5220]

This is why i only recommend selling fakes to noobs

[@cvitencoandrei2079]

elmer fudd

[@jasonlogan5765]

Aluminum does the same thing

[@victorrstad5731]

Pure gold is not magnetic, but a fork will be combined with other materials or it would bend too easily 👍

[@jamesgreen1741]

How to test gold with magnet

[@dualmode1]

I think its induction...

[@mrwangcai]

Hm.. somehow this works on a quarter too

[@xXxJSCOTTxXx]

American currency minted before 1964 was made of 90% silver. Today, you can buy it online and in coin shops for it's metal content. I believe it's referred to as "constitutional silver".

[@SFranc]

EPN means not silver

[@alexsalunas5042]

Fuking thank uuu

[@akgoldbear7669]

Shit! Put the silver 25 cents and the magnet will make it move, then put the 25 cents without the silver and they will move the same way.

[@mikemanor856]

What's up

[@johnhini7177]

copper too... may be brass tooo ....th magnet slow down the fall slide..of silver ...may be copper too..

[@melissacarl2002]

RIP to this guys nose.

[@vg7169]

Nothing wrong with his nose, but your bad manners are showing.

[@katiem8025]

Rude, he looks fine. -_-

[@Seer645]

Your coin is 90% silver and 10% alloy

[@sjcb]

But copper is also very diamagnetic, and most fake silver will be plated on copper, therefore most silver plated objects would behave exactly the same as the "solid silver" demonstrated in this video, making this whole video pointless.

[@edwardk3]

Exactly.

[@jaysmusic3327]

Sterling is not solid silver

[@hulado]

why not just make the video over correctly. it four minutes?

[@naserparsa-lp4ew]

Folks silver and gold does not stick to magnit

[@kristinalisic9712]

američka kovanica je 90%srebro i 10%bakar

[@boramora525]

انا عربية مصرية بحاول افهم الكلام

[@bjray23]

Boooooo

[@johnschunk97]

Speak up a little

[@tacomarodeo]

Too much talk and BS and not enough show.... Get to the POINT!!!

[@E-BikingAdventures]

Ya! Not enough violent sceens or CGI either. Booooo!

[@googlesuck5064]

Cool .. I just open hard drive get that.magnic woahhh cool but I didn't know the hard drive disk it's SUPER STRONG GLASS I THOUGHT THE HARD DISK ARE METAL OR SOMETHING MAN I PUT HARD SCREWDRIVER 🪛 LIFT THE DISK HARD DRIVE TO GET MAGNETIC IT BREAKERS THE DISK GLASS BLOW BOOM THE GLASS BREAKING IN HUNDREDS OF PIECES BLOW UP INTO THE AIR . LUCKY DONT HIT INTO MY EYES. YOU GUY BE CAREFUL THE HARD DRIVE DISK MAKE SURE WEAR GLOVES AND PROTECTION GLASSES.. .. ANYWAY I LOVE THE VIDEOS THANKS FOR POSTING . YOU 👍👍👍

[@boramora525]

شكرا جزيلا From Egypt