The invention is directed to a method for separating two or more seed fractions having different germination quality, to a method for preparing a seed fraction enriched in seed quality, and to the use of a magnetic fluid.The method for separating two or more seed fractions having different germination quality comprises:mixing a feed of seeds, said feed comprising seeds with at least two different densities, with a magnetic fluid, thereby obtaining a mixture andapplying a magnetic field to said mixture such that the mixture is exposed to a magnetic gradient so as to separate two or more seed fractions with different densities.