The process of using magnetic properties to assess a material’s potential gold content involves determining whether the item is attracted to a magnet. Genuine gold is not ferromagnetic; therefore, pure gold will not be attracted to a magnet. However, many gold-colored or gold-plated items contain other metals, such as iron, nickel, or cobalt, which are magnetic. The presence of a magnetic response can indicate the presence of these other metals, suggesting that the item is not pure gold or is only superficially gold-covered.
This technique is a readily accessible initial assessment tool, providing a quick and inexpensive method to eliminate obvious non-gold items. Its value lies in its simplicity and non-destructive nature, allowing for immediate screening without damaging the material. Historically, prospectors and jewelers have used similar preliminary tests, along with visual inspection and density measurements, to gain an initial understanding of a material’s composition. However, the method provides indicative information only; it cannot definitively confirm the presence or absence of gold, nor can it quantify the amount of gold present in a sample.
