Working with magnetic clasps

I need some advice on working with sterling silver magnetic clasps.

  • Can they go into the pickle pot?
  • Can they go into a ionic cleaner?
  • Can they tolerate the heat from a torch soldering a jump ring onto
    the clasp?

Thanks,
Laurie

No, Yes, No. The magnets are NeFeB - rare earth magnets, which are
nickel plated. If the plating is compromised, as in pickle, the
underlying metal will corrode very quickly in air. They can take all
cleaning methods. Even the tiniest bit of heat will cause the
magnetism to degrade. The threshold is only about 200 deg., where
they will become completely demagnetised. I did that once, in order
to dispose of some pieces I had. They were completely inert after
heating them. Plus the magnets are usually held in place with epoxy,
which also can’t tolerate heat.

http://www.donivanandmaggiora.com

Hello Laurie Evinger,

In answer to your questions on working with sterling silver magnetic
clasps.

  • Can they go into the pickle pot? No - the iron will contaminate
    your pickle

  • Can they go into a ionic cleaner? Should not be a problem, but
    I’ve not tried it.

  • Can they tolerate the heat from a torch soldering a jump ring onto
    the clasp? NO - such heat will de-magnitize the clasp - use spring
    rings to connect the clasp to your piece.

Judy in Kansas

laurie -

i have fabricated quite a few magnetic clasps and if you will bear
with me through my long answer to your three questions:

- Can they go into the pickle pot? 
- Can they go into a ionic cleaner? 
- Can they tolerate the heat from a torch soldering a jump ring onto
the clasp?

answer: NO. you cannot put magnets into any of the above venues.
laurie, sit down and go over other possible methods - that’s what i
did and you can do it!

good luck -
ive

If they are iron or iron bearing magnetics they will foul the pickle
pot Don’t know about the ionic cleaner.

Heat will damage magnets in effect the hotter it gets the less it
will be magnetic What I know about the clasps they are rare earth
type or ceramic type, the high the gauss number the stronger the
connection 800gauss low strength 10,000gauss high strength. And most
of the clasps that I have seen are set up for split rings. If you
are worried about them coming off make up some connector rings of
three turns like the split key ring. They will not come off. Then
the last ring of the chain can be soldered, and run thru the cleaner
with out worry clean the clasp by hand and then mount. If you are
interested in high strength magnet of differing sizes in small
amounts here is a web site.They also have some every interesting
tools and things. The hardware catalog is a delight for the eyes
alone with all the old style repro’s in it.

http://www.leevalley.com

Again all the usual disclaimers and legal mumbo jumbo applies just a
satisfied long time customer

been there, done that and broke it!
glen