- German silver is an alloy, meaning that it's comprised of multiple base metals that are melted, mixed together and cooled into a composite. The industrial standard for German silver is 60 percent copper, 20 percent nickel and 20 percent zinc. While often compared to pewter on account of their similar appearance, German silver is actually more similar to brass. Brass, however, lacks the element of nickel that gives German silver its desirable color.
- German silver is so-named for its superficial similarity to sterling silver, a property it takes from the gray element, nickel. Compared to true silver, German silver has a slight yellow tinge to it, owing to its copper content. However, German silver does not tarnish in the same manner as true silver. German silver that has corroded tends to develop a cloudy appearance although this can be cleaned off with an abrasive metal polish to restore a mirror-like finish.
- Unlike pure silver, German silver is a relatively hard metal that will not easily lose its shape once cast. German silver has a high density compared to most metals, but it is actually about 10 percent lighter than pure silver. German silver is fairly resilient to chemical corrosion, but it is known to readily react with organic agents. As a result, German silver jewelry is known to react in a way that turns skin green unless it is plated.
- German silver is an ideal base metal for plating, making it a popular choice for gold- or silver-plated fixtures. One of its most common applications is silver-plated flatware as it is difficult to distinguish from true silverware. German silver is also a common material for musical instruments, pocket knives, jewelry and home furnishings. It generally needs to be plated in applications where it comes into contact with food as unfinished German silver often leaves an unpleasant metallic taste.
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