One of the most common questions Cadmore Auctions receives from buyers is:
“How do I know if the jewelry or silver piece I’m holding is real?”
In fact, testing with a magnet is one of the most popular tricks – simple, easy to do, and something almost anyone can try at home or at a car boot sale.
The basic principle is very straightforward: Gold and silver are not magnetic.
Just take a small magnet and hold it close to the item you want to check.
If it’s attracted or lifts toward the magnet, it’s definitely not real gold or silver, but probably copper, steel, or another low-value alloy.
The limits of the magnet test – and common misconceptions
However, this doesn’t mean that an item “not attracted to a magnet” must be real gold.
That’s a misunderstanding many people make.
A non-magnetic reaction only helps you rule out common metals,
but to truly confirm whether something is gold or silver, you still need to look for the hallmark – the small stamp that verifies the metal’s purity.
As the auction presenter in Cadmore’s video once said:
“As soon as you run a magnet over it and you get a lift, you’ll know it’s not gold or silver.
That doesn’t mean to say that anything not magnetic is gold or silver – you still have to check the rest.”
A short but accurate reminder: Don’t be too quick to trust a “non-magnetic” result.
Why cadmore still recommends using a magnet test
Although basic, the magnet test remains a useful first filter.
It allows buyers to quickly eliminate fake or low-grade items – such as copper chains, plated bangles, or iron-based metals – without using specialist tools.
For those who frequently browse secondhand jewelry, job lots, or gold and silver at open markets,
this is one of the most time-saving and practical ways to screen items before buying.
The safest check is always through a trusted auction house
Of course, the magnet method should only be seen as an initial step.
When you buy from a reputable auction house like cadmore auctions,
every piece of gold, silver, or jewelry is carefully verified before it’s listed for sale.
In the rare case that something turns out not to be authentic,
Cadmore provides a full refund to the buyer - because, as they state,
“our reputation is worth far more than any single sale.”
In sum
Testing gold or silver with a magnet is a quick and mostly correct method, but it’s not enough on its own.
It helps you filter out base metals, but it can’t confirm authenticity.
When certainty matters, check the hallmark or buy from a place that guarantees proper testing.
That’s why Cadmore Auctions remains trusted:
They combine expertise, professional verification, and transparent procedures,
bringing buyers closer to the true value of precious metals — not just through sight, but through confidence.
