Is Nickel Silver Magnetic? (2024)

February 22, 2023February 22, 2023 | 7:54 am

Nickel silver, also called German silver, is a standard alloy used for decorative purposes in items like jewelry and utensils. It’s made of copper, nickel, and zinc, and it’s known for its bright white color and its corrosion resistance. But what about magnetism? Is nickel silver magnetic? The answer may surprise you.

The short answer is no; nickel silver is not magnetic. This metal alloy does not contain any iron or steel. And since these metals are the only types of metal that can be affected by magnets, nickel silver stays put when held up against a magnet. So why does this matter? If you’re in the market for jewelry or other decorative items made from nickel silver, you don’t have to worry about sticking them to your refrigerator door!

But while nickel silver isn’t magnetic, it can still interact with magnets in specific ways. For example, some types of electroplated nickel-silver are attracted to magnets because they have a layer of ferromagnetic material on the surface—usually, iron or steel—that interacts with the magnet’s field. However, this type of plating is rare and typically limited to industrial applications where high levels of magnetism are needed.

Conclusion:

So there you have it—nickel silver isn’t magnetic! It doesn’t even contain any iron or steel, so there’s no need to worry about your jewelry being attracted to a magnet. Of course, if you’re looking for something with more magnetic properties for an industrial application, you may want to look into electroplated nickel-silver items instead. But regardless of what type of item you’re looking for, made from nickel silver, rest assured that it won’t be affected by magnets!