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Nickel silver is a copper alloy containing approximately 60% copper, 20% nickel, and 20% zinc (exact proportions vary, but are always within range).
Nickel silver contains no actual silver, despite its name and silvery appearance. 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. This metal alloy 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” or “EPBM” when electroplated.
Learn more about nickel silver below!
Take this quiz and test your knowledge on nickel silver (German Silver). Take the quiz after you’ve read my guide for your best results.
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 silver substitute, including in 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”.
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What is The Value of Nickel Silver (German Silver )? Is it Worth Anything?
Nickel Silver (German Silver) has very little intrinsic metal value because it contains no actual silver.
Its worth comes from craftsmanship, age, maker, or decorative appeal, making collectibles valuable to buyers, and not refiners.
Lack of silver and silver’s market value is the key distinction between nickel silver and any other true silver alloy.
For example, Half Silver (50% silver content) is much more valuable than nickel silver from the melt value perspective.
And .500 silver is far less valuable that silver alloys like sterling silver (92.5% silver content) .900 silver (90% silver content) or .800 silver (80% pure silver content).
Technically, there’s some melt value of copper, zinc and nickel within the nickel silver alloy, but we’re talking pennies here and you’d be lucky if you could extract a few dollars from a single nickel silver item.
Here’re some examples of German Silver collectibles offered at various auctions.
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Is Nickel Silver Magnetic?
No, nickel silver isn’t magnetic. It’s diamagnetic just like real silver is diamagnetic.
Nickel silver isn’t magnetic because at least 80% of this alloy consists of copper and zinc, two diamagnetic base metals.
Nickel makes up the remaining 20% and nickel is a ferromagnetic metal. Moreover, 20% of nickel isn’t enough to significantly magnetize nickel silver.
Is Nickel Silver Hypoallergenic or Allergenic?
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 known trigger metals metals for people with metal sensitivities.
Copper, zinc and especially nickel cause skin dermatitis in sensitive people and these three metals make up the nickel silver alloy.
Avoid German Silver if you suffer from metal allergies.
Hey, you must be very interested in nickel silver given that here you are glued to my page absorbing information like it’s no one’s business.
Do you also like real, true silver? And are you a proud American with a keen eye for economy and precious metals.
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Is There Bullion Made From Nickel Silver?
No, there’s no bullion made from nickel silver. Nickel silver doesn’t contain real silver and has 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 U.S. gold investment company. And they stock true silver coins and bars you can buy either as physical assets, or to be included as part of your silver IRA account.
The silver bullion you can include in your IRA account is called IRA-eligible silver.
Note: upon doing some further research I did discover one nickel silver ingot sold online. This was a major find for me because these are so rare.
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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 is nearly identical to it. This visual similarity is the main appeal of this base metal alloy.
The biggest drawback is that nickel silver has too much nickel in it and this metal is a common allergen to a large percentage of the population.
This means nickel silver jewelry isn’t common 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.
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Do you also like real, true silver? And are you a proud American with a keen eye for economy and precious metals.
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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 “EPBM” (ElectroPlated Britannia Metal) indicating it’s electroplated, and not solid silver. These markings are manufacturer’s marks and they aren’t true silver hallmarks.
Hey, you must be very interested in nickel silver given that here you are glued to my page absorbing information like it’s no one’s business.
Do you also like real, true silver? And are you a proud American with a keen eye for economy and precious metals.
This is for you if you answered the two above questions with a “yes”. Don’t click if you didn’t!
What is Nickel Silver? Conclusion
Nickel silver (also called German Silver)is a copper alloy containing approximately 60% copper, 20% nickel, and 20% zinc. There’s no real silver in this metal alloy, despite its name and silvery look.
Nickel silver is used as a cheap silver substitute for items like jewelry and flatware. This alloy is non-magnetic, highly allergenic due to its nickel content, has no precious metal value, and is usually 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/
- Eagle Iron Cross 1 OZ German Silver Mixed ALLOY Proof Bar Ingot In Capsule.- https://www.ebay.com/itm/205943284227
- BRITANNIA METAL- https://www.silvercollection.it/dictionarybritanniametal.html
- Vintage German Silver Religious Jewelry- https://bid.conceptgallery.com/online-auctions/concept-gallery/vintage-german-silver-religious-jewelry-6467763
- German Silver Jewelry Box- https://live.brunkauctions.com/online-auctions/brunk/german-silver-jewelry-box-604084
- Group of 5 pieces of German silver jewelry; 15489-001- https://www.rhlee.com/auctions/29301/lot/31840-group-of-5-pieces-of-german-silver-jewelry-15489-001
- GERMAN SILVER AND AGATE BOX- https://www.bonhams.com/auction/29709/lot/3113/german-silver-and-agate-box/
- Group of 5 pieces of German silver jewelry; 15489-001- https://www.rhlee.com/auctions/29301/lot/31840-group-of-5-pieces-of-german-silver-jewelry-15489-001
- Handmade Cuff Bangle Jewelry German Silver, Natural Lapis Lazuli Gemstone 1- https://www.ebay.com/itm/395187858587
- Antique German Silver Ghungroo Oxidized Necklace Trendy Earring Style Bracelet- https://www.ebay.com/itm/317534734302
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.
