Is there a search magnet for silver and gold and what does it attract + rating and reviews

Typically, powerful magnets are designed to find precious metals. A search magnet reacts to gold and silver quite strongly, and although it is difficult to find them in their pure form, its power is enough to pick up jewelry and coins from the ground. The main goal of all search engines is treasures, expensive coins, and sometimes just ferrous metal.

The article will describe the structure of the magnet and the basic principle of operation. He will also figure out what exactly can be found with its help and how to find expensive alloys. It will be explained in detail what ferromagnets, paramagnets and diamagnetic materials are. In addition, valuable tips and recommendations will be given that will greatly simplify the search for valuable items.

Magnetic field and metals that conduct it

A magnetic field is a force that can influence electric charges, atomic nuclei, and simplest particles. This is matter that arises from the interaction of particles that have their own charge. All substances react to this field, and some emit it.

Depending on the reaction, the substances are distinguished:

1. Ferromagnetic materials react to fields and retain magnetization. Thus, they themselves begin to emit their own field.
2. Paramagnetic materials - the electrons in their composition react to a magnetic field so weakly that such a reaction can only be detected using special measurements. Such substances include platinum, aluminum, oxygen.
3. Diamagnets are substances that do not attract, but, on the contrary, repel from a magnet, exhibiting negative susceptibility. Diamagnets include copper, water, carbon, gold, and silver. Most substances known to science are diamagnetic.

Question-answer section

How can you tell if it is silver or not if the metal is too dark?

Expert opinion

Pribrezhny Gennady Valentinovich

Jeweler 6th category

It happens that Ag also darkens, which occurs under the influence of external factors. Then authenticity can only be determined using third-party substances. Apply iodine or nitric acid. In both cases, the real precious metal will darken even more.

Is silver magnetic or not?

Expert opinion

Andrey Seleznev

Chemist-technologist, Volgograd

Ag without additives does not exhibit magnetic properties and does not create a magnetic field. The precious metal will not react to the use of a magnet. Silver-based alloys behave differently. The larger the ligature, the more strongly the jewelry or other object is attracted.

How to check whether silver bought at a pawn shop is real if there is no hallmark?

Expert opinion

Grishanov Mikhail Petrovich

Jeweler, director of the Grishanov and Co. workshop

The absence of a sample is not always a sign of a fake. If the item has a characteristic color (white-gray with darkening), is quite heavy, and also reacts to acids with the appearance of black spots, there is a possibility that the item is precious. A jeweler can say more precisely.

Design and types

Finders take advantage of the ability of some metals to interact with a strong magnetic field by using special search magnets in their searches. More often this is a simple design that contains the rare earth metal neodymium, enclosed in a steel case.

Depending on the scope of application, devices are produced:

• in the form of a rod for simplified access to narrow crevices and other hard-to-reach places;
• trawls that allow you to effectively examine the bottom of water bodies;
• one-sided, designed for lifting objects, equipped with a housing that shields magnetic radiation, providing one working surface;
• double-sided, suitable for universal work.

How to distinguish silver from silver plating - quick home methods

The easiest way to determine authenticity is to find a stamp. But it is not on silver-plated items, because there is too little precious metal.

If the stamp is missing, inspect the back side. On a silver-plated item, the coating could wear off. Look for irregularities, folds, and bulges. These places are most often exposed to mechanical stress. Under the top layer you can find metal of a different shade. Aluminum and copper blanks coated with a thin coating are often found.

Silver-plated items are identified by the following characteristics:

• no stamp,
• damage to the coating,
• presence of rust,
• quality of execution.

Try making a cut with a thin file. If there is a material of a different color under the coating, you have silver plating. Some metals coated with a thin layer of silver become magnetized. So an additional test with a magnet wouldn't hurt.

Principle of operation

A neodymium magnet forms a field that allows it to attract objects that exceed the weight of the search device by tens of times, depending on its size and power. This device works great both in air and under water.

Working with the device is simple - just attach it to a rope and lower it to where the item you are looking for is supposed to be located. Under the influence of a magnetic field, metal objects “stick” to the device and can be removed to the surface.

TOP 3 ways to determine technical silver without leaving home

Technical metal is called metal without additives. The maximum proportion of impurities is regulated - 0.01%. This type of silver is used to coat contacts and radio components during soldering. The main area of ​​application is various industries.

Technical silver plates

Checking silver coins

A special approach is required to assess the quality of a coin. To test it, prepare a neodymium magnet. A souvenir from the refrigerator door will not work because it requires a powerful source of magnetic field. Its size must be at least 4x10 cm. The magnet is installed at an angle of 45°; for the purity of the experiment, it is necessary to check the accuracy of its location. It is known that Ag is not magnetic, but the presence of additives can be determined. A powerful magnet is used for this. When different types of materials are applied, different results are obtained:

• the product does not fall, which means it contains steel;
• slowly slides down - contains a significant proportion of copper;
• falls more rapidly, is weakly magnetic - contains nickel.

Silver coins

Checking old silver items

In earlier times, additives were practically not used or their quantities were less than today. Testing began relatively recently - several centuries ago, but the history of the use of precious metals goes back thousands of years. Given these features, only a jeweler can check whether an item is silver using the hydrostatic weighing method. The owner can use available means, but he is unlikely to be able to determine the quality of the precious metal.

How to tell if a tablespoon is silver or not

It is necessary to study the external signs of the object. A sample is placed on precious metals, but also on cutlery that is made from simple materials, the following markings are also found:

• cupronickel – MN (MELCH);
• aluminum - AL;
• stainless steel – STAINLESS;
• nickel silver – MNC.

Home methods are also used. They are relevant if there are no identifying marks on the product, but there are suspicions that the item is precious. When choosing a way to understand that a spoon is silver, one of the most effective is the method based on the use of ice. To test the precious metal, a piece is placed on a cutlery. If it melts quickly, it means the item is silver and valuable (Ag has the highest thermal conductivity).

Silver tablespoons

Differences from a metal detector

The operating principle of a metal detector is also based on electromagnetic radiation, however, this device does not attract metals to itself, but captures echoes of the “response” of substances to the field it emits. If there is metal in the ground or water, the device gives a signal. Further work on retrieving objects falls on the person.

The magnet does not provide any information, but simply “attracts” to itself those objects that it is capable of influencing.

Professional Silver Testing Methods

The most reliable way to understand whether silver is at your disposal or not is to contact a specialist. Home express diagnostics can lead not only to damage to the product, but also to household injuries. For example, when handling chemicals carelessly. Some people try to determine if the silver is real by looking at the tooth. Under no circumstances should you do this.

Any silver jewelry will be checked for authenticity in pawn shops, purchase shops, and jewelry workshops. Moreover, some companies provide this service free of charge. To do this, professional appraisers have special precious metal analyzers, reagents, touchstones and other tools.

That is, there is no point in checking it yourself, risking the integrity of the product.

Can you attract silver and gold?

Precious metals are diamagnetic, so they cannot be extracted using a magnet. An exception may be objects that contain parts made of ferromagnetic metals, and such a part must be voluminous enough to be attracted.

You should not rely on the device to magnetize precious alloys. As a rule, the proportion of ferromagnets in the composition of the alloy is extremely small.

If you want to search only for precious metals, you are better off purchasing a metal detector.

Properties

Argentum belongs to the group of noble metals and is distinguished by its amazing silvery-white color . Silver is also known for its high ductility and malleability . Another distinctive characteristic is its excellent electrical conductivity. This metal can withstand high loads, so it is widely used in modern industry. Argentum perfectly reflects light, and therefore is widely used in the manufacture of mirrors.

However, the most important “mission” of this metal is its use in the manufacture of jewelry and cutlery. Products made of pure silver (999) have an amazing appearance, but their practicality is kept to a minimum.

Argentum quickly loses its shine without regular cleaning, and due to careless wear, it breaks and becomes deformed. In this regard, most jewelers use various alloys with alloyed silver.

It is also important to distinguish between the terms “silver” and “silvering”. In the first case we are talking about an expensive metal, in the second – a product with a thin layer of argentum applied. They can be distinguished using a mark. It is absent on silver-plated products, since only a small part of the precious metal was used in their creation. Pure silver is not magnetic. It has zero magnetic moment. It is this method that allows you to distinguish it from a fake. It is enough to take the most powerful magnet (the reliability of the test directly depends on its thickness) and bring it closer to the item being tested (it is best to use a neodymium rare-earth magnet). If the product is magnetized, then this is a fake.

Advantages and disadvantages

The indisputable advantage of a magnet is its ease of use:

• it does not require special storage conditions; you should, perhaps, avoid heating it above 80 degrees;
• does not need recharging;
• has a very simple design;
• takes up little space.

The disadvantage is that it cannot be used to extract gold, silver, and their alloys, including nuggets.

Another thing is metal detectors. The advantage of modern metal detectors is their ability not only to find, but also to distinguish which metal is within its coverage area. How does this feature work? This was made possible thanks to the use of a computer in the design of the device, which analyzes all incoming signals, reacting to the smallest changes.

Why can silver be attracted?

However, in the modern market you may come across the concept of “magnetic technical silver” (there is no official term). This metal instantly sticks to the magnet, as there are certain reasons for this. The fact is that “magnetic technical silver” refers to alloys that are used for industrial purposes. The main components in this alloy are: copper, zinc, aluminum and cadmium. Their proportions depend on the specific purpose of a particular product. "Magnetic technical silver", used in contact plates, switches and buttons, has a purity of 60-65%.

And also if nickel and iron (possessing ferromagnetic properties) are added to argentum, then the alloy will undoubtedly attract a magnet. It is very difficult to clean such products from contamination, but their price is quite affordable in contrast to products made from pure silver.

To learn how to check the authenticity of silver coins using a magnet, watch the following video.

The use of any materials without our prior written consent is prohibited.

Source

Tips for choosing

In addition to their shape, the devices also differ in the strength of the radiation and the method of attaching the cable.

Experienced treasure hunters are advised to choose powerful double-sided magnets, since they are universal and easy to use, although they are more expensive.

Weight and ammunition

Any tool is most effective if it is selected in accordance with the task at hand. The choice of magnet is no exception. To begin with, you should decide what items it will be used to search for, and based on this, select the appropriate device.

It should be taken into account that the higher the power of the magnet, the greater its mass and cost. The optimal option is 400 kilograms. This is not the weight of the magnet, but the weight it can lift!

In addition to the magnet itself, you will need a cable with which the search device can be lowered to the bottom of the reservoir. It is better to choose ammunition with a large margin of safety, exceeding the power of the magnet itself, in order to avoid ruptures and loss of the device. Finding him later is almost impossible.

Review of popular devices and their prices

The most well-known magnet manufacturers offer devices of varying power and cost:

1. NPK Supersystem produces a wide range of magnets. A device capable of lifting a weight of about 90 kg will cost about 700 rubles. For a very powerful double-sided copy, designed for 690 kg, you will have to pay more than 7,000 rubles.
2. CJSC NPO Redmag produces magnets with a capacity of 600 kg and a cost of 3-5.5 thousand rubles.
3. Magnets made in China are also very popular. A device with a capacity of 600 kg can be purchased for 4900 rubles, devices with a capacity of 300 kg are sold at a price of 2700-2800 rubles.

Where is it contained?

Technical alloys are used to create much of what we use every day. If you are reading this article at work, look around and look at the office equipment - there is silver in every device and microcircuit. One power supply contains 1.5 g.

The more modern the device, the less precious metals it contains and, accordingly, the more difficult it is to extract them.

The state controls the disposal of equipment not only for reasons of environmental safety, but also to reduce the loss of precious metals during processing. Only licensed organizations can accept high-tech scrap containing precious metals from the population—for example, there are several dozen of these in Moscow.

How to assemble and set up a magnet with your own hands

Making a magnet at home is not an easy task if you don't have neodymium supplies on hand. But building an electromagnet using not a rare ferromagnet, but an electric field, is quite simple.

Required Components

To build an electromagnet you will need:

• iron for the core (nail, lock shackle);
• copper insulated wire;
• source of electric current (battery, accumulator);
• connecting wire;
• soldering iron

Assembly sequence

Copper wire is wound tightly, neatly, in one direction, onto the core. If a regular AA battery is used as the power source, you can connect it directly to the ends of the winding. For power supplies and batteries, it is necessary to solder the connecting wires (twisting and insulation are also allowed).

See the assembly visually in the video:

Method for determining a sample at home

There are not always special devices or substances at hand. But some reagents are still available to the public, and not just to laboratory workers.

What is Chrompeak

Chrompic is a chemical often used by jewelers to evaluate the quality of an alloy. Prepared:

• gloves;
• pipette;
• sewing needle;
• tweezers.

Instructions that allow you to quickly recognize a fake or, conversely, verify the authenticity of an item:

1. Notches are made on the product using a nail file.
2. Chrompik is applied.
3. Observe the reaction. If there is Ag in the material, the object will turn red. Other shades indicate counterfeit jewelry or the use of another precious metal.

Chrome pick for silver

Table: sample and color ratio

When using a homemade reagent, changes can be seen within 5-10 minutes. If you are wondering how to recognize silver, the relationship between the combination of alloy and the color of the alloy will help you figure it out:

How to use it correctly

To search for valuables, it is better to use industrially made magnets. When purchasing a device, it is better to choose units with an eye bolt, which makes it much easier to separate the magnet from the object.

Safety precautions and what to be careful with

It should be remembered that the magnet affects all objects nearby, including pacemakers.

For a person who has such a stimulator, the magnet is dangerous, as it can cause malfunctions in the operation of the medical device.

Mobile devices and bank cards should also be protected from electromagnetic influence to avoid their failure.

How to distinguish a counterfeit coin from an original using a search magnet

If a coin is stuck to the device, you can be sure that it does not contain either gold or silver. A precious coin or jewelry will remain in its place when exposed to the device.

Metals – counterfeit silver

There are materials whose products are similar to silver. External examination does not provide the desired result. To identify a fake and check the quality of the material, pay attention to a number of features.

Aluminum

Not knowing how to distinguish silver from other metals, they study external signs:

• the fake aluminum chain links are not soldered;
• The fake is made using glue for inserts, and not the standard method of fastening - claws.

Jewelers claim that the glue is used by scammers or manufacturers who do not respect their customers.

Tin

The main way to recognize a fake jewelry is to compare the color of the fake and real jewelry; tin is characterized by a uniform gray tint; Ag is similar in tone, but you can additionally see dark spots on its surface. By the way, sulfur and compounds that contain it contribute to their appearance. Tin behaves differently in relation to this component - it forms a substance reminiscent of gold.

What kind of silver is this

Strictly speaking, there is no such type of silver as “technical”. This is the name given to any silver alloy used not in jewelry, but in production.

Composition and properties

The main alloying component in a jewelry alloy is copper. The technical range is wider: cadmium, zinc, tin, nickel, and aluminum may be present. Their proportions are calculated based on the desired result.

Cadmium, zinc and tin lower the melting point, which makes alloys containing them valuable solders. True, cadmium makes the product more expensive, and zinc negatively affects its strength, so there are no universal solders - the composition is selected individually for the task.

Review of popular devices and their prices

China is considered the leader in production . Approximately 130 enterprises in China produce neodymium magnets.

These products are manufactured in Russia

• Research and Production, Moscow;
• ZAO NPO REDMAG, Kaluga;
• LLC "Plastic" in St. Petersburg;
• Scientific-Production LLC, St. Petersburg;
• Nepra company, Moscow region, Zheleznodorozhny;
• NPO "ERGA" in Kaluga.

Purchasing a neodymium magnet is a good investment

The main problem with search magnets is the price, which has skyrocketed since 2009: 95% of rare earth metals are extracted and processed in the Middle Kingdom, and they are used for automotive production. This country has introduced additional duties on the export of magnets from its territory. Throughout 2011, neodymium increased in price 5 times! Neodymium on exchanges has risen in price by at least 50% in just 2022!

↓↓↓ Now let’s move to the comments and find out the opinion of the experts. Scroll the page down ↓↓↓, there are reviews from diggers, MD specialists, additional information and clarifications from the blog authors ↓↓↓

Using search magnets when searching with a metal detector

Many people use metal detectors, but less than half use a pinpointer. Everyone is familiar with the situation when there is a clear signal from the excavated soil, but the target is not visible. You can even move a pinpointer along the ground, hear the target, and find nothing. A neodymium magnet for searching is a great help here: if the target is magnetic, it will instantly stick to the surface. For such cases, using a magnet of 40-80 kg is sufficient.

Attention! It is very convenient to use a fabric bag. Metal debris, of which there is a lot in the ground, does not stick to the magnet. The fabric will also save you from mechanical damage and eliminate the possibility of dangerous corrosion.

Clear advantages of neodymium magnets compared to a pinpointer:

1. Their batteries don’t run out, and you don’t forget to turn them off all the time 2. Quiet (in cases where you don’t want to advertise your presence) 3. Small dimensions. Convenient transportation. You can simply carry it in your pocket. 4. The target itself clings to the surface. 5. Price. You can buy 5 magnets for the price of one pinpointer. 6. Resistance to mechanical damage and moisture. 7. Long service life if basic rules are observed.

Important! Neodymium search magnets lose magnetization approximately 0.1% to 2% per 10 years! Then it’s up to you to decide which search magnet to choose; we can only recommend a proven brand that does not deceive with the declared power - “World of Magnets” (see the brand in the description of the magnet).