It specifically spells out how you find magic items, and Perception is not a part of that equation. That said, if you want to interpret it that way and not consider it a house rule, have fun. My interpretation differs.
I'm following the rules in the Skill chapter.
There are no "appraise" checks. I tell everyone the gp value of the items they find. This does not include their magical worth unless they somehow know the item is magical.
I agree completely. That's Perception finding a hidden item with obvious magical possibilities, which is completely different than Perception detecting magic.
Right now I'm running Thunderspire Labyrinth, so treasure is where the adventure says it is. So far it's all been out in the open.
When I make scenarios myself I don't hide treasure at all unless it makes sense for the treasure's owner to have done so, in which case I hide it however makes sense for them: under rubble for a stupid thing that lives in a cave, behind a secret panel for an aristocrat, etc. Detecting magic can certainly make the search a lot easier if there's magic in the cache, but it's not necessary (except perhaps if the person doing the hiding has used magic to hide it).
They'd find that knuckle bone in one minute with an Int-based character and an Arcana check, so if I were really trying to hide it from them that would be a bad place to put it. Not that I've ever used that particular straw man in a campaign.
What about a filth-encrusted and otherwise ordinary looking belt on a dead goblinoid foe? Do your PCs collect and experiment with all of those?
I think the seemingly scummy, filth encrusted belt is a good example.
A character with high perception maybe notices that beneath the gunk, the belt isn't ordinary looking at all, that there is more than meets the eye. He draws your experts eye to it. and just in case it's stuffed into the sack to be examined later.
If you thought I suggested Perception should be used to detect magic, I didn't make myself clear. I think the misunderstanding arises from 'finding' them and 'detecting' them. What I was suggesting was the use of perception to spot valuable objects amongst the blood, filth and gunk. If it's Well Hidden, as you might rule the filth covered, seemling old, crap belt to be, that's still DC 25, and you have to be right next to it otherwise it gets harder.
As far as identifying them once you have them, it seems pretty simple process.
Check out pg 223 PHB, under Identifying Magic Items. It says Arcana checks are only necessary to identify cursed, non-standard magical objects and powerful Artifacts
If you're just handing out the treasure, then how are they missing out on magical items due to lack of INT?
My example of the magical knuckle bone, well... I haven't used that one either. Can't forsee it in the near future either
If the problem is distinguishing Magic Items in a pile of Jewels and valuable objects, maybe they could know/make contact with/befriend some trustworthy NPC who identifies Magic Items for them back at the base for a small fee, of for favours which could lead to larger adventure hooks. Or even an NPC Wizard that travelld with them.
In short, I don't think your party should be too disadvantaged by lack of skill in Arcana. Not as far as finding magic Items is concerned. If your prepared to tell them the worth of each Item they should know which are magical and not anyway, just by comparing the prices in the PHB (standard by level), and if you give them that information, you might as well tell them which are magical and which are not.
Leave the need to detect magic for more special encounters, where their failure has further reaching repurcussions than just missing out on loot. It's only fair that a group of people with sub-par intelligence are bound to make stupid and painful blunders in a dangerous dnd world.
