Silver & A Magnet

[ChampFerguson/TN]

On second thought Terry, just forget it. I don't know why I've invested so much in this thread anyway. You cant do it and I believe you.

 

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[hvacker]

Looky: Magnetic Type for all the elements in the Periodic Table

 

[seekerGH]

On second thought Terry, just forget it. I don't know why I've invested so much in this thread anyway. You cant do it and I believe you.

Thats the spirit!

Actually, given the properties of the various metals, using a magnet to ascertain silver seems a bit dubious, as many other metals would react as well, even if one could 'feel' it.

I always fall back to the local pawn broker who has an XRF....

Sterling will have a lower density that fine silver, probably around 9g/cc, 10g/cc maybe

Sterling has a density of 10.3, while pure silver is 10.5....that difference may be a bit difficult to determine in a home setting.

edit: thanks Terry!

 

[ChampFerguson/TN]

Seeker, just to clarify, I don't use it to id silver in the field(as in rockhounding); I use it on .900 and above at flea markets and coin shows. There are a LOT of Chinese fake silver coins out there; more every day. See alibaba.

I'm not sure I'd trust a pawnbroker unless I knew him well! I've yet to visit one that didnt want Retail + 20% for his used stolen crap.

 

[TerryC]

On second thought Terry, just forget it. I don't know why I've invested so much in this thread anyway. You cant do it and I believe you.

No Champ, don't give up on me so soon! In post #17 I CONFIRM your test. Yes, no doubt about it. The property is real. I went on to try it with a wheat cent, clad dime, and clad quarter. I hung them down about a foot using scotch tape so they could swing freely. ALL deflected when in close proximity of the neo magnet. (they "pulled" toward the coin) You have taught me something I never knew before. I heard something about it before but never in the context brought forth here. Also.... I was able to get an easily observed reaction by, instead of putting the silver dime in the palm, balancing the dime on a finger tip. When the magnet came near, the dime easily dipped, as you explained. Yes sir, you have taught me something I did not know before! I will remember it. Thank you. Please continue with these types of threads... I learned something! Terry

 

[TerryC]

Thats the spirit!

Actually, given the properties of the various metals, using a magnet to ascertain silver seems a bit dubious, as many other metals would react as well, even if one could 'feel' it.

I always fall back to the local pawn broker who has an XRF....



Sterling has a density of 10.3, while pure silver is 10.5....that difference may be a bit difficult to determine in a home setting.

edit: thanks Terry!

Seeker, Champ actually has something there! Probably not to be used to distinguish pure from alloy but very real in the proper setting/purpose. TTC

 

[tokameel]

Actually, neither, being diamagnetic, it is repelled by a magnet. If it is paramagnetic or ferromagnetic, it is attracted to a magnet.

Interesting video

Well done! I never knew of this. But i think that this is only practical in the lab and not in the field while hunting.

Tom