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Nickel silver is a copper alloy containing approximately 60% copper, 20% nickel, and 20% zinc (proportions may vary).
Despite its name and silvery appearance, it contains no actual silver. Also called “German Silver,” it was perfected by German metalworkers in the early 19th century based on a Chinese alloy.
Nickel silver is used as a cheap silver substitute in jewelry, flatware, and musical instruments. Nickel silver is non-magnetic but highly allergenic due to its nickel content, making it unsuitable for most commercial jewelry.
It has no precious metal value and is typically marked “EPNS” when electroplated.
Learn more about nickel silver below!
- What is Nickel Silver (Definition and Meaning)? Why is it Called “German Silver”?
- Is Nickel Silver Magnetic?
- Is Nickel Silver Hypoallergenic?
- Is There Bullion Made From Nickel Silver?
- Is There Jewelry Made From Nickel Silver?
- What is the Hallmark for Nickel Silver?
- How Much is Nickel Silver Worth?
Table of Contents
What is Nickel Silver (Definition and Meaning)? Why is it Called “German Silver”?
Nickel silver is a copper alloy that contains 60% copper, 20% nickel, and 20% zinc. However, the proportions can vary, with copper ranging from 50-80%, nickel from 5-30%, and zinc from 10-35%. Some formulations may also include small amounts of lead, tin, or manganese.
Nickel silver is also called “German Silver” because it’s an alloy German metalworkers perfected in the early 19th century, basing it on a Chinese alloy called paktong (or white copper).
Nickel silver has a silvery appearance but doesn’t contain any true silver. It’s used as a cheap substitute for real silver, including jewelry, flatware, musical instruments, decorative items, and as a base metal for silver plating.
Other names for Nickel silver besides German Silver are Argentan and Alpaca.
Is Nickel Silver Magnetic?
No, nickel silver isn’t magnetic. It’s diamagnetic, the same as real silver is diamagnetic.
Nickel silver isn’t magnetic because at least 80% of the alloy consist of copper and zinc, both diamagnetic metals.
The remaining 20% is nickel and nickel is a ferromagnetic metal. Moreover, 20% of nickel isn’t enough to significantly magnetize nickel silver.
Is Nickel Silver Hypoallergenic?
No, nickel silver isn’t hypoallergenic. It’s highly allergenic.
Nickel silver is allergenic because it doesn’t contain real silver (true silver is hypoallergenic) but contains 3 metals which are all known triggers for people with metal sensitivities.
Copper, zinc and especially nickel are known to cause skin dermatitis and these three metals make up the nickel silver alloy.
Is There Bullion Made From Nickel Silver?
No, there’s no bullion made from nickel silver. Nickel silver don’t contain real silver and have never been used to create coins and bars for investors.
To buy real silver coins and bars you’d need to work with a legitimate precious metals dealer. I recommend Augusta Precious Metals, especially if you live in the United States. Augusta Precious Metals is the best US gold investment company and they stock true silver coins and bars you can either buy as physical assets, or include as part of your silver IRA account.
The silver bullion you can include in your IRA account is called IRA-eligible silver.
Is There Jewelry Made From Nickel Silver?
Yes, there’s jewelry made from nickel silver. Nickel silver is a cheap substitute for real silver and looks like silver, which is its main appeal.
The biggest drawback is that nickel silver has too much nickel in it and nickel is a common allergenic metal to a large percentage of the population.
This means nickel silver jewelry isn’t sold in jewelry stores (as they don’t want to take on the liability of potential strong allergic reactions). Instead, these pieces are hand made by jewelry aficionados and sold online as novelties and rarities.
See examples below.
What is the Hallmark for Nickel Silver?
Nickel silver lacks traditional hallmarks like those found on sterling silver and other silver alloys.
Instead, items made of nickel silver are typically marked with “EPNS” (Electroplated Nickel Silver) or similar markings indicating it is electroplated, not solid silver. These markings aren’t true silver hallmarks but rather manufacturer’s marks.
Besides EPNS, you might also find markings like A1, B1, or others that denote the quality of the silver plating.
How Much is Nickel Silver Worth?
Nickel silver is worth nothing to precious metal refiners looking for silver to extract because nickel silver contains no silver.
The value of nickel silver is in its copper, zinc and nickel content, but that value pales compared to the value of silver other true silver alloys have.
What is Nickel Silver? Conclusion
Nickel silver is a copper alloy containing approximately 60% copper, 20% nickel, and 20% zinc (proportions may vary).
Despite its name and silvery appearance, it contains no actual silver. Also called “German Silver,” it was perfected by German metalworkers in the early 19th century based on a Chinese alloy.
Nickel silver is used as a cheap silver substitute in jewelry, flatware, and musical instruments. Nickel silver is non-magnetic but highly allergenic due to its nickel content, making it unsuitable for most commercial jewelry.
It has no precious metal value and is typically marked “EPNS” when electroplated.
References:
- Nickel silver- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_silver
- Our Guide to Silver Marks Will Help You Identify Every Piece in Your Collection- https://www.marthastewart.com/271850/the-language-of-silver-marks
- Can you make jewelry out of nickel silver spoons?-https://www.reddit.com/r/jewelrymaking/comments/1go6nta/can_you_make_jewelry_out_of_nickel_silver_spoons/
- Nickel Silver Cuff Signed JY- https://nytexasstyle.com/products/nickel-silver-cuff-signed-jy
- Desperate Heart – Nickel Silver Necklace- https://adorno.design/pieces/desperate-heart-nickel-silver-necklace/
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.
