Stop panicking. That little "click" you just heard when the magnet hit the clasp of your gold chain doesn't necessarily mean you've been scammed. It’s one of the most common heart-stopping moments for new collectors and thrifters: you buy a piece marked "14K," you bring it home, you touch a magnet to the clasp, and it sticks.
The immediate reaction is anger. You assume it's plated. You assume it's fake. But in about 90% of these cases, the gold is real. The magnet isn't lying to you, but your interpretation of what it’s doing might be wrong. There is a tiny, hidden piece of engineering inside almost every modern gold clasp that must be magnetic to function. If it wasn't magnetic, your expensive gold necklace would probably fall off your neck within a week.
Let’s dismantle the "Magnet Myth" and look at the actual mechanics of fine jewelry.
WHY THE MAGNET TEST BECAME POPULAR (AND WHY IT’S MISLEADING)
We love a shortcut. The magnet test went viral on social media and vintage forums because it feels like a secret weapon. It’s binary: it sticks or it doesn’t. It’s cheap, it’s fast, and it requires zero training. The logic sold to the public is simple: "Gold isn't magnetic. Steel is. If it sticks, it's steel."
While the premise is scientifically true—pure gold is diamagnetic and repels magnetic fields—the application is flawed because jewelry is rarely a single, solid block of one element. By oversimplifying the metallurgy, this test has led thousands of people to discard genuine gold items or falsely accuse honest sellers of fraud. It ignores the mechanical necessities of jewelry making.
HOW GOLD CLASPS ARE ACTUALLY CONSTRUCTED
To understand the "why," you have to think like a jeweler, not just a collector. Gold is a soft metal.
The Mechanical Failure Point
If you made a spring out of solid gold, it would lose its tension almost immediately. Imagine a paperclip. You bend it back and forth a few times, and it snaps or stays bent. That is what a gold spring would do inside a lobster claw clasp. It wouldn't spring back. It would compress and stay compressed, leaving the gate open and your jewelry on the floor.
The Engineering Solution
To solve this, jewelers use a mixed-metal approach. The exterior housing of the clasp is gold. The trigger is gold. The loop is gold. But the tiny coil or leaf spring inside that forces the clasp closed? That has to be tempered steel. Steel has "memory"—it returns to its original shape after being compressed.2 This is a non-negotiable durability requirement for any mechanical clasp.
THE HIDDEN STEEL SPRING INSIDE “SOLID GOLD” CLASPS
This is the culprit. When you bring a strong magnet near a lobster claw or a spring ring clasp, you aren't feeling an attraction to the gold casing. You are feeling the magnet reaching through the gold and grabbing that tiny steel spring inside.
The Lobster Claw Mechanism
Inside that curved "claw" shape is a hollow channel. A coiled steel spring sits in that channel, pushing against the lever. The attraction here will usually be strong but very localized.
The Spring Ring Mechanism
These are the circular clasps with a tiny nub you pull back. These rely on a steel spring to shoot the bolt back into the locked position. Because these clasps are often smaller and lighter than lobster claws, the magnet might actually pick the whole clasp up, making it look like the entire thing is fake.
Box Clasps and Safety Catches
Box clasps (the tongue-and-groove style often found on tennis bracelets) are different. The tongue itself is usually gold, hardened by work-hardening methods. However, the "safety figure-eight" latches on the side might sometimes be a stronger alloy or work-hardened to the point of showing slight magnetic reactivity, though this is less common than the steel spring phenomenon.
WHICH GOLD JEWELRY PARTS ARE COMMONLY NON-GOLD
It helps to know exactly what you are looking at. A piece of jewelry is an assembly of parts, and "Solid Gold" usually refers to the main body, not necessarily the mechanical fittings.
The Spring Internal
As discussed, this is almost always ferrous steel. It is not a defect; it is a feature.
Pins and Hinges
In complex lockets or hinged bracelets, the pin that runs through the hinge (the axis) often needs to be stronger than gold to prevent bending. Steel or brass pins are common here.
Internal Tension Wires
Some flexible omega chains or tubogas styles have a core of steel or titanium memory wire to help the necklace keep its round shape. These will react strongly to a magnet, even if the outer layer is thick, solid gold.
Elena's Pro-Tip: "If you have a pair of stud earrings and the post sticks to the magnet, that is a red flag. Earring posts have no moving parts and no need for steel. But if the butterfly back sticks? Check the inside of the curls. Better friction backs often use a steel internal spring to grip the post tighter."
WHY REAL GOLD JEWELRY CAN STILL REACT TO A MAGNET
Context is everything. The "stick" isn't always a sign of a fake; it’s a clue about construction. The key is distinguishing between Localized Attraction and Full Magnetic Pull.
Localized Attraction
This is what you want to see. If you run the magnet down the chain and it feels dead, but then it 'jumps' only when it touches the clasp trigger? That is a textbook steel spring reaction. The chain is likely real; the clasp is mechanically sound.
Full Magnetic Pull
If the magnet drags the chain across the table, or if the chain links themselves stick to the magnet, you have a problem. That indicates a base metal core (like nickel or steel) that has been plated.
MAGNET TEST VS REALITY: WHAT THE TEST CAN AND CANNOT TELL YOU
Let's break down the reliability of this test using a structured analysis. This table will help you diagnose what your magnet is actually telling you.
| Scenario | Magnetic Reaction | The Reality (What it usually means) |
| Gold Chain Links | None | Likely Gold or Silver. (Or copper/brass/zinc—non-magnetic base metals also pass this test). |
| Gold Chain Links | Strong Attraction | Fake. Plated steel or nickel. |
| Lobster Clasp | Strong Pull at Trigger | Normal. This is the steel spring. Not a sign of fake gold. |
| Lobster Clasp | Weak Pull on Body | Suspicious. The body should be gold. Only the specific spring area should react. |
| Earring Post | Attraction | Fake. Posts are static and should be solid alloy. |
| Jump Ring | Attraction | Fake. Jump rings are solid wire; they have no internal mechanism. |
COMMON SCENARIOS WHERE THE MAGNET TEST GIVES A FALSE RESULT
The magnet is a blunt instrument. It lacks nuance. Several specific categories of legitimate jewelry will fail this test, leading to tragic mistakes where valuable items are discarded.
Vintage and Antique Chains
Older alloys, especially from the Victorian era, sometimes contain impurities that can be slightly paramagnetic. Furthermore, "rolled gold" (an early, thick form of plating) can sometimes be on base metals that aren't magnetic (like brass), passing the test despite not being solid gold.
Italian Gold Engineering
Italian manufacturers are masters of mixed-metal interiors. Some high-end Italian mesh or woven bracelets use an internal mesh of steel for rigidity, wrapped in 18k gold. The magnet will stick aggressively, but the gold content is still substantial and the piece is valuable.
Repaired Clasps
I have seen genuine 18k chains where the original gold jump ring broke, and a previous owner replaced it with a gold-plated steel jump ring from a hobby store. The chain is real. The ring is junk. If you test the ring, you assume the chain is fake.
HOW TO TEST GOLD JEWELRY CORRECTLY INSTEAD OF USING A MAGNET
If you want to be a serious hunter, you need to move beyond the refrigerator magnet. You need a toolkit that looks at density, chemistry, and visual markers.
The Loupe Inspection
Buy a 10x or 30x jeweler's loupe. Look for hallmarks (14k, 585, 750). More importantly, look for "wear through." If the gold is flaking off and revealing a different color underneath, it's plated.4
The Acid Test
This is the standard for a reason. It involves scratching the item on a stone and applying nitric acid. It is destructive if done poorly, but it is definitive.
Electronic Gold Testers
These use conductivity to determine the karat. They are expensive but non-destructive.
Fluorescence and Advanced Light
Sometimes identification requires seeing what the naked eye cannot. Using UV light can help identify certain gemstones or adhesives used in fake jewelry.5 If you are interested in building a more advanced identification toolkit, you might want to look into UV Light Detective: Identifying Uranium Glass and Fluorescent Diamonds at Home, which covers how different materials react under specific spectrums.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GOLD-FILLED, PLATED, AND SOLID GOLD CLASPS
The manufacturing method changes the magnetic signature. It is vital to understand the "layering" of these materials.
Gold Plated
This is a microscopic layer of gold over a base metal. If the base metal is steel or nickel, it will be magnetic. If the base is brass or copper, it won't be. Note: A non-magnetic result does not prove it is gold; it just proves it isn't steel.
Gold Filled
This is a pressure-bonded layer of gold (at least 5% by weight). It is much thicker than plating. The core is usually brass, which is not magnetic.
Solid Gold
The alloy is consistent throughout. The only magnetic interference should come from the steel spring we discussed.
COUNTRY-SPECIFIC CLASP MANUFACTURING PRACTICES
Jewelry habits vary by border. Knowing where a piece was made can help you anticipate the clasp type and its magnetic properties.
Italy
The standard is the "Lobster Claw." They prioritize durability. Expect strong steel springs. Italian markings (like "585" and a star symbol) are reliable.6
USA
Often uses "Spring Rings" on lighter chains and Lobster Claws on heavier ones. American karat stamps (14K) are strictly regulated.
Middle East & Asia
High-karat gold (22k, 24k) is softer.7 Traditional manufacturing here often avoids springs entirely because the gold is too soft to support the mechanism. Instead, they use "S-hooks" or bendable hooks that rely on the malleability of the gold itself. These clasps should never be magnetic.
WHY JEWELERS INTENTIONALLY USE STEEL SPRINGS IN GOLD CLASPS
It comes down to the "Cost vs. Safety" equation.
Tension Reliability
Steel can be compressed thousands of times without losing its "springiness."8 Gold alloys harden and become brittle or simply stay bent.
Security of the Asset
A clasp has one job: don't lose the necklace. A gold spring is a liability. Using a steel spring is a responsible choice by the jeweler to protect your investment.
The "Click" Factor
Consumers associate a sharp "click" with a secure lock. Only steel provides that snappy feedback.
HOW TO IDENTIFY A STEEL SPRING WITHOUT DAMAGING JEWELRY
You suspect a steel spring, but how do you prove it without ripping the clasp apart?
The "Hover" Technique
Place the clasp on a flat surface. Lower the magnet slowly. If the clasp "rears up" or stands on end to meet the magnet, the attraction is internal.
Visual Confirmation
Use your loupe. Look into the gap of the lobster claw. You can often see the dark grey coil of the spring contrasting against the yellow gold interior.
Elena's Pro-Tip: "If you really want to be sure, check the 'gap' of the jump ring connecting the clasp to the chain. If that ring is soldered shut (no gap), it's a high-quality sign often associated with solid gold. Plated costume jewelry rarely has soldered jump rings because the heat would ruin the plating."
MAGNET STRENGTH MATTERS: REFRIGERATOR MAGNET VS NEODYMIUM
Not all magnets are created equal, and using the wrong one can give you bad data.
Refrigerator Magnets
These are usually weak ferrite magnets. They might not be strong enough to detect the small steel spring inside a thick gold housing. You might get a "false negative" where you think it's non-magnetic, but the magnet is just too weak to notice the spring.
Neodymium (Rare Earth) Magnets
These are the silver, super-strong magnets. They are too strong for casual testing. They will pick up on trace amounts of iron in silver alloys or the nickel in older white gold, making you think a real piece is fake. They are essentially "too sensitive" for the average user.
WHEN A MAGNET TEST IS STILL USEFUL (RARE CASES)
I don't want to dismiss the magnet entirely. It has a place in your toolkit, provided you know its limits.
Fast Screening at Estate Sales
If you are digging through a bin of "junk jewelry" priced at $1 each, the magnet is great. If a thick, heavy "gold" chain jumps to the magnet, toss it back. You are looking for the low-hanging fruit.
Testing Clasps Specifically
Paradoxically, if a lobster clasp is not magnetic at all, I get suspicious. If it feels mushy and has no magnetic pull, the spring might be broken, or it might be a cheap plastic/copper mechanism found in very low-end counterfeits.
COMMON BEGINNER MISTAKES WHEN TESTING GOLD AT HOME
Mistake 1: Testing the Clasp and Ignoring the Chain
The clasp is a replacement part. It is not the chain. Always test the chain links separately.
Mistake 2: Assuming Non-Magnetic Means Real
This is the most dangerous error. Brass, copper, zinc, and aluminum are all non-magnetic. A heavy gold-plated brass chain will pass the magnet test with flying colors and is worth $0.
Mistake 3: Scratching the Item
Some people try to scratch the gold to see if it flakes. Please, use a testing stone, not the item itself.
CAN STEEL SPRINGS AFFECT GOLD VALUE OR RESALE?
This is a common worry: "Will the refiner pay me less because of the steel spring?"
The Weight Deduction
Yes, technically. When you sell gold for scrap, the buyer is paying for the weight of the pure gold. A steel spring adds weight that isn't gold.
The Reality
The spring weighs a fraction of a gram. On a 10-gram necklace, the spring might weigh 0.05g. It is negligible. Most refiners or gold buyers have a set "tare" or deduction percentage for clasps, or they simply accept it as part of the business. It does not devalue the piece in a meaningful way.
HOW APPRAISERS EVALUATE GOLD JEWELRY WITH MIXED METALS
To illustrate the complexity of valuation, let's look at how a professional breaks down a piece compared to a hobbyist.
| Evaluation Criteria | The Hobbyist View | The Professional Appraiser View |
| Magnetic Clasp | "It's fake!" | "Functional clasp with steel spring. Normal." |
| Color Variation | "It's fading." | "Check for solder points or repair history." |
| Weight | "It feels heavy." | "Specific Gravity test required to rule out heavy fillers." |
| Markings | "It says 14k." | "Verify hallmark authenticity; stamps can be faked." |
| Sound | N/A | "Drop test. Gold has a dull thud; base metal rings." |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GOLD, MAGNETS, AND CLASPS
Why does my 14k gold necklace stick to a magnet?
If only the clasp sticks, it is likely the steel spring inside the mechanism. This is normal for genuine gold jewelry. If the chain links themselves stick, the item is likely plated steel or nickel.
Are gold lobster clasps solid gold?
The housing (the part you see) is solid gold. The internal spring mechanism is steel. This combination provides the best balance of value and durability.
How can I tell if gold is real without a magnet?
Check for hallmarks (stamps), look for discoloration or peeling (indicating plating), and consult a professional who can perform an acid or X-ray fluorescence (XRF) test.
Does white gold stick to magnets?
Generally, no. However, some older white gold alloys contain high levels of nickel, which can be slightly magnetic (paramagnetic). It will not stick strongly like steel, but you might feel a faint drag.
It is easy to let paranoia take over when you are dealing with precious metals. But remember: jewelry is functional art. That tiny steel spring inside your clasp isn't an impurity; it's the only thing keeping your investment safe around your neck. The next time your magnet clicks onto a clasp, don't throw the chain away. Grab your loupe, look for the quality markers, and appreciate the engineering that keeps your jewelry secure.
