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Ruthenium isn’t magnetic. It’s paramagnetic. This means ruthenium isn’t strongly attracted to a magnet but is still slightly influenced by magnetic fields.
Ruthenium is paramagnetic because its electronic structure contains unpaired electrons, specifically in its 4d orbitals, and these unpaired electrons are weakly attracted to external magnetic fields.
So, pure ruthenium is paramagnetic, but ruthenium alloyed with other metals can become magnetic under certain circumstances.
Learn more right below!
- Is it Possible to Test Ruthenium Purity With Magnets?
- Is Pure Ruthenium Bullion Magnetic?
- Is Raw Ruthenium Magnetic?
- Is Ruthenium More or Less Magnetic than Gold?
- Is Ruthenium More or Less Magnetic than Silver?
- Is Ruthenium More or Less Magnetic than Platinum?
- Is Ruthenium More or Less Magnetic than Palladium?
- Is Ruthenium More or Less Magnetic than Osmium?
Take this quiz about ruthenium magnetic properties and se how you do.
Table of Contents
Is it Possible to Test Ruthenium Purity With Magnets?
No, it’s not possible to test ruthenium purity with magnets. Ruthenium is paramagnetic, which means it’s only slightly attracted to magnetic fields.
However, it’s not enough to elicit a strong response, even to the strongest magnet you can find.
Outside of a lab, you can’t see ruthenium’s paramagnetism with your naked eye.
Is Pure Ruthenium Bullion Magnetic?
No, pure ruthenium bullion isn’t magnetic. It’s paramagnetic because pure ruthenium is paramagnetic.
Pure ruthenium bullion is rare. Only 30 metric tons of ruthenium are mined during a calendar year, and only 0.1% of it goes to bullion creation.
I was able to find only one website that sells ruthenium bars made with nearly 100% pure ruthenium.
And I was able to find one website that sells black ruthenium coins. These are novelty coins made from gold or silver and electroplated thin layer of black ruthenium on top.
In these coins ruthenium comes with blackening additives mixed into the electrolyte solution to achieve that black, fancy look.
Is Pure Ruthenium Jewelry Magnetic?
No, pure ruthenium jewelry isn’t magnetic because pure ruthenium jewelry doesn’t exist.
Jewelry made from 100% ruthenium is impractical because ruthenium is too expensive, hard and brittle, and impossible to work with to create delicate jewelry pieces.
Instead, ruthenium is mostly used as a finish on metals like sterling silver. In this case ruthenium coating protects the sterling silver from moisture and tarnishing while giving the jewelry piece a contemporary distinguished and durable look.
Here’s an example of a sterling silver bracelet coated with ruthenium.
Note: I also found a website offering pure, 24k ruthenium rings. These are a true rarity on the market and more of a novelty than anything else.
Is Raw Ruthenium Magnetic?
Yes, raw ruthenium is magnetic. In fact, it’s ferromagnetic.
Recent studies have shown than raw ruthenium exhibits room-temperature ferromagnetism, making it a magnetic element, though it becomes paramagnetic at room temperature.
Ruthenium’s ferromagnetic properties were only recently confirmed in thin-film form, which means for practical purposes (solid ruthenium in bullion and jewelry forms) ruthenium remains a paramagnetic precious metal.
Note: ruthenium is never mined alone. Instead, it’s typically recovered as a byproduct during the refining of platinum, nickel, copper and other platinum group metals (PGMs) ores.
Is Ruthenium More or Less Magnetic than Gold?
Ruthenium is more magnetic than gold. Pure gold is a diamagnetic metal with no attraction to a magnet, while ruthenium is a paramagnetic (and potentially ferromagnetic in certain forms) metal, meaning it exhibits a weak magnetic attraction.
Is Ruthenium More or Less Magnetic than Silver?
Ruthenium is more magnetic than silver. Pure silver is a diamagnetic metal with no attraction to a magnet, while ruthenium is a paramagnetic (and potentially ferromagnetic in certain forms) metal, meaning it exhibits a weak magnetic attraction.
Is Ruthenium More or Less Magnetic than Platinum?
Ruthenium and platinum are roughly equal from the magnetism standpoint. Ruthenium is paramagnetic and platinum’s paramagnetic as well.
Both ruthenium and platinum belong to the platinum group metals metals (PGM’s).
Is Ruthenium More or Less Magnetic than Palladium?
Ruthenium and palladium are roughly equal from the magnetism standpoint. Ruthenium is paramagnetic and palladium’s paramagnetic as well.
Both ruthenium and palladium belong to the platinum group metals metals (PGM’s).
Is Ruthenium More or Less Magnetic than Osmium?
Ruthenium and osmium are equal in their magnetic properties. Osmium is paramagnetic, and so is ruthenium.
Any difference in their paramagnetic properties would have to be measured in a lab, but to the naked eye and in all practical applications, both ruthenium and osmium are non-magnetic.
Is Ruthenium Magnetic? Can Ruthenium Be Magnetized Under Certain Circumstances or Not? Conclusion
Ruthenium isn’t magnetic in the traditional sense. It’s paramagnetic, meaning it has only weak attraction to magnetic fields due to unpaired electrons in its 4d orbitals.
This weak magnetism makes it impossible to test ruthenium purity with magnets. Pure ruthenium bullion and jewelry are extremely rare due to the metal’s expense and difficulty to work with.
However, recent studies show raw ruthenium can exhibit ferromagnetism at room temperature in thin-film form, though this doesn’t apply to practical applications.
Compared to other precious metals, ruthenium is more magnetic than gold and silver, but similar to platinum and palladium.
References:
- Ruthenium exhibits room-temperature ferromagnetism- https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/mrs-bulletin/news/ruthenium-exhibits-room-temperature-ferromagnetism
- 1gr ruthenium bar example- https://www.luciteria.com/bullion
- Apollo 11 50th Anniv. Comm. Space-Flown 1oz Coin BLACK RUTHENIUM & GOLD #789 https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/156175893357
- Ruthenium (Ru) 24 karat ring- https://www.rwmmint.com/products/ruthenium-ring
Nikola Roza
Nikola Roza is a blogger behind Nikola Roza- SEO for the Poor and Determined. He writes for bloggers who don't have huge marketing budget but still want to succeed. Nikola is passionate about precious metals IRAs and how to invest in gold and silver for a safer financial future. Learn about Nikola here.
