Magnets for testing Metals

[Shamatti]

So I have been checking out feebay looking at magnets.

 

What do people generally use? There are neodymium magnets there of every shape and size, and for very little cost - although you do seem to have to purchase a zillion of them at a time! lol But they come in every shape and size you can think of.

 

What is the most practical to keep in your pocket? What works the best you find that amazing lump of silver in a flea market and need to make certain before parting with your cash?

 

Hints and tips people! Bring it on! lol

[HelpingHands]

I got a pack of two little rare earth magnets from ebay but I can't rememeber what I paid. 

 

Be careful not to keep them in your pocket near anything like a phone or bank card.

[SilverPirate]

I got mine out of a P.C. tower, it shows you how to get them on you tube.

[Pete]

Any strong magnet will suffice so don't get fooled by terminology like neodymium or other rare earth metal jargon.

[Danny-boy]

Any strong magnet will suffice so don't get fooled by terminology like neodymium or other rare earth metal jargon.

The stronger the magnet the better, so I think neodymium is the way to go.

The ones I have are silly strong.

[Pete]

I had a "proper" magnet at work that was a superconductor like the ones used in the Large Hadron Collider in Cern, Geneva.

If you walked past it and had a bunch of keys in your trouser pocket it would rip them out of your trousers.

That's strong !

[Danny-boy]

I had a "proper" magnet at work that was a superconductor like the ones used in the Large Hadron Collider in Cern, Geneva.

If you walked past it and had a bunch of keys in your trouser pocket it would rip them out of your trousers.

That's strong !

Ok, maybe mine isn't quite that strong Pete.

You win.

[Pete]

I decided to buy some Nd magnets having watched Youtube videos on testing silver.

Buying 10mm dia. nickel plated ones for less than 40 pence a piece.

Ordered 10 for free P&P so they will work on my magnetic notice board as well

Apparently the very strong magnet will slide down silver if your coin or bar is tilted say at 45 degrees.

If it sticks it shows non silver and if it instantly drops off again it indicates other metals.

I never knew this test and several videos show this clearly, especially on an Engelhard bar.

[morezone]

I bought some myself recently. I'm collecting different designs of silver bar so I thought it would be a good test for the stuff coming from the bay.