When examining silver items, a common question is whether a magnet will stick to real silver. The answer is no. Genuine silver is not magnetic. This property serves as a preliminary indicator when assessing a silver piece, though it is not a definitive test on its own.
Why Magnets Don’t Stick to Real Silver
A material’s magnetic behavior depends on its atomic structure and electron arrangement. Silver is a diamagnetic material, meaning it exhibits a very weak repulsion when exposed to a magnetic field. Its electrons are predominantly paired, canceling out their magnetic moments and resulting in no net magnetic field.
This contrasts with ferromagnetic materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt, which are strongly attracted to magnets. In these substances, unpaired electrons align their spins, creating strong internal magnetic fields that interact with external magnets.
Using a Magnet to Test Silver
To perform a magnet test, use a strong magnet, such as a neodymium magnet, as weaker magnets may not produce a noticeable effect. A genuine silver item should not attract or stick to the magnet. If the item is strongly attracted, it likely contains magnetic metals like iron or nickel, indicating it is not real silver.
This test has limitations. Some fake or silver-plated items use non-magnetic base metals like copper or brass, which also won’t attract a magnet. While silver is diamagnetic and can weakly repel a strong magnet, this effect is often too subtle to be easily observed without specialized equipment.
Other Ways to Identify Real Silver
Since the magnet test alone is not conclusive, combine it with other methods for a more reliable assessment. A primary indicator of real silver is the presence of hallmarks or stamps. Genuine silver items, especially sterling silver, often bear marks like “925” (92.5% pure silver), “999” (99.9% fine silver), or “800” (80% silver). These markings are typically found in inconspicuous areas, such as on jewelry clasps or the underside of silverware.
Another effective test uses silver’s high thermal conductivity, which is superior to most other metals. Placing an ice cube on a silver item will cause it to melt noticeably faster than on a non-silver surface. This rapid melting occurs because silver efficiently transfers heat from its surroundings to the ice.
A sound or “ping” test can also indicate real silver, particularly for coins or flat pieces. When gently tapped with another metal object, real silver produces a clear, high-pitched, and sustained ringing sound. In contrast, items made from base metals typically produce a duller, shorter thud.