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What percentage of silver does "German Silver" have in it? Compared to Sterling. (see more)?
Looking at a western style belt buckle that says German Silver on the back. It has copper/brass looking decorations on the front and copper/brass looking connectors on the back. It is stamped GERMAN SILVER on the back that appears to be a part of the original design. Just wondering does this mean it is sterling silver or is it a lower percentage than sterling.
3 Answers
- prusa1237Lv 78 years agoFavourite answer
"German silver and sterling silver may be the same color and have a similar shine and gleam, but that doesn't make them the same. The difference lies in content. Sterling silver contains 92.5 percent pure silver, while German silver contains no silver at all. Another name for German silver is "nickel silver." German silver was used to make trade goods that 18th-century European explorers bartered with natives, but these indigenous people were quick to learn the difference and preferred real silver."
- Philip HLv 78 years ago
German Silver is not Silver. Typically it is 60% Cu, 20% Ni, and 20% Zinc.
The formulations vary, but there is no silver in it.
