Nickel silver

Nickel silver, sometimes called German silver, is an alloy. It normally has copper, nickel, and zinc in it. Despite the name, it does not contain any real silver. It is common in utensils. It is also used in cymbals, keys, zippers, and musical instruments. Some coins use nickel silver. It is sometimes used to trick people into thinking it is silver. A German industrial chemist named E.A. Geitner discovered nickel silver in the early 19th century.

Nickel Silver Media

• Caeser Bruce silver comb 1984 ohs.jpg

  "German silver" hair comb by Bruce Caesar

• CortezRodriguezWorkshopSMA010.jpg

  Tracing a cross onto a piece of crude nickel silver at a workshop in San Miguel Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico

• Chapala234.JPG

  Nickel silver pieces from the Ruth Cortez Rodriguez workshop in Mexico

• Pocahontas carving on neck of S S Stewart Presentation Banjo, 1894, sn 15667, at the American Banjo Museum.jpg

  19th century banjos used German silver rims over wood for tonal quality and appearance

• Willem Lenssinck - Formula I Racing Horse.jpg

  Willem Lenssinck, Formula 1 Racing Horse