An apparatus and method to pick a magnetizable object from a group of magnetizable objects having substantially uniform and predetermined respective sizes, the apparatus including an elongated magnet having a major axis, and a rigid dielectric material having an aperture, the rigid dielectric material positioned relative to the elongated magnet in order to present an opening through the rigid dielectric material along a line collinear with the major axis. The rigid dielectric material is movable, relative to the elongated magnet, in a direction parallel to the major axis between a first position at which at least a portion of the elongated magnet is within the aperture, and a second position at which no part of the elongated magnet is within the aperture.