Is Gold Plated Magnetic?

This gold-plated neodymium disc magnet measures 0.060″ (15 mm) in diameter and has a pull force of 15 oz (425 grams). The product is made in accordance with ISO 9001:2015 standards and is suitable for educational applications, magnetic therapies, and decorative purposes.

In addition to the appearance, gold is resistant to oxidation. Unlike other metals, gold will not tarnish. Its magnetic properties are very weak compared to iron, nickel, and cobalt, which are used to make permanent magnets. Gold also has high thermal and electrical conductivity, which makes it useful in electronics.

While pure gold is not magnetic, gold alloys are. In fact, 80% of gold alloys will stick to a magnet. Pure gold, however, is soft and malleable, and therefore not suited to be magnetized. It is also unlikely that your gold-plated jewelry will be able to stick to a magnet.

Although gold itself is not magnetic, heavy gold electroplated with other metals can be, and it might not register on a magnet. Therefore, it’s a good idea to test your jewelry with other methods. One test is the water displacement experiment. It works for determining whether gold jewelry is solid or plated.

If you’re unsure whether your gold jewelry is magnetic, you can test it with nitric acid. You will probably need to scratch it lightly to be sure. If the gold reacts to the acid, it’s likely gold plated with another metal. It can be as high as 58.3% gold, but it can also contain other materials, such as silver or palladium.

This test is not 100% accurate, however. It requires a stronger magnet than what you have at home. It’s best to use a magnet that is strong enough to attract the gold. For instance, if you find that your gold necklace does not have a magnet on it, you’ve probably bought a gold piece with a clasp.

Another method that is reliable is to use acid. To do this, you should take a piece of jewelry, scratch it with a needle, and place the test piece into the solution. Once you’ve completed the procedure, the gold item will most likely change color. This color change can then be compared to a color card included in the kit.